title: Mycophenolate mofetil in low-risk renal transplantation in patients receiving no cyclosporine: a single-centre experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assess our long-term experience with regards the safety and efficacy of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in our low risk renal transplant population and compared it retrospectively to Azathioprine (AZA) immunosuppressive regimen.  Patients and methods. Between January 1999 and December 2005, 240 renal transplants received MMF as part of their immunosuppressive protocol (MMF group). AZA group of 135 renal transplants was included for comparative analysis (AZA group). Patients received Cyclosporine was excluded from this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of biopsy proven 3-month acute rejections was 30 (12.5%) in MMF group and 22 (16%) in AZA group respectively (P = 0.307). Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 97 and 94%, respectively, compared to 100% and 91% at 1 and 5 years respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.61). Graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 95 and 83%, respectively, compared to 97 and 84% at 1 and 5 years, respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.62).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference in acute rejection episodes between MMF and AZA based immunotherapy. Additionally, we observed no significant difference concerning graft survival in the MMF group when compared to AZA group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Transplantation, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Omer A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Raheem
authors.forename: Padraig J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Kelly
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Ponnusamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Dilly M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hickey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016572:Cyclosporine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine