title: Outcome of pancreas transplantation in recipients older than 50 years: a single-centre experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreas transplantation (PT) remains the only treatment that can restore insulin independence among insulin-dependent diabetics. An ageing population in developed countries has led to an increasing number of older patients who may be suitable for PT. Some investigators argue that PT in recipients older than 50 years has an inferior outcome compared with the younger group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The object of this study was to compare the outcomes of 31 PT in patients aged 50 and above 105 PT in recipients below 50 years performed between June 2001 and December 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of general posttransplant complications were similar in both; 60% in less than 50 vs. 58% in more than or equal to 50, P=0.539. So, as the incidence of other surgical complication in the more than or equal to 50 group compared with less than 50 (graft thrombosis 13% vs. 11.5%; bleeding 19% vs. 6.7%; abdominal abscess 23% vs. 19%; pancreatic leak 13% vs. 9.6%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of urinary tract infection and early rejection in either group. However, the incidence of respiratory tract infection was significantly higher in more than or equal to 50 (38.7% in >or=50 vs. 9.6% in <50, P=0.003). One-year patient survival was 88% in more than or equal to 50 vs. 92% in less than 50 group, P=0.399; and pancreas graft survival rate was similar (79% in the >or=50 and 74% in <50, P=0.399).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that it is feasible to safely transplant potential PT recipients aged 50 and above. However, good medical assessment and careful patient selection is strongly recommended.
authors.affiliation: The Renal and Pancreas Transplant Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elijah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ablorsu
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghazanfar
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehra
authors.forename: Babatunde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riad
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pararajasingam
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parrott
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picton
authors.forename: Titus
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Augustine
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012137:Respiratory System; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome