Effectiveness of substituting cyclosporin A with tacrolimus in reducing gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of periodontal therapy combined with tacrolimus in the suppression of gingival overgrowth (GO) and the effect on GO of changing from cyclosporin A to tacrolimus.


METHODS
Sixteen renal transplant patients, averaging 52 years of age, whose kidney function was stable and were receiving treatment with cyclosporin A, were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the experimental group, patients were instructed in oral hygiene and underwent periodontal treatment, whereas in the control group, only oral hygiene instructions were given. After the first visit and the change of medication from cyclosporine to tacrolimus in both groups, periodic clinical revisions were carried out for 3 months in order to assess the evolution of GO.


RESULTS
All patients showed a progressive decrease in GO. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). A greater decrease in GO occurred within the first month after changing the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
No improved effectiveness in reducing GO was observed for periodontal therapy in combination with tacrolimus. Tacrolimus is an alternative to cyclosporine when attempting to avoid GO in patients with kidney transplants.
Párraga-Linares
Laura
L
Barcelona University Dental School, Barcelona, Spain.
Almendros-Marqués
Nieves
N
Berini-Aytés
Leonardo
L
Gay-Escoda
Cosme
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus