title: Post-transplant anemia and associated risk factors: the impact of steroid-free therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of post-renal transplant anemia (PTA) reported in the literature is variable and several factors contribute towards its pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PTA, its associated risk factors and the impact of therapy without steroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study in a renal transplantation unit at a tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dl in female adult recipients and < 13 g/dl in males. Donor and recipient age and gender, type of donor, creatinine, delayed graft function, acute rejection, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and therapy without steroids were investigated as risk factors for PTA through multivariate logistical regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluations were performed on 258 recipients (mean age: 38.8 years; 60.5% males; 35.7% did not receive steroids). Anemia was diagnosed in 38% of the patients (at the sixth month, M6), 28% (M12), 32% (M24) and 45% (at last follow up). Donor age > 50 years was associated with greater risks of PTA at M6 (odds ratio (OR) = 4.68) and M24 (OR = 6.57), as well as with therapy without steroids at M6 (OR = 2.96). Delayed graft function was independently associated with PTA at M6 (OR = 3.66) and M12 (OR = 2.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lowest prevalence of PTA was observed between M9 and M24 after renal transplantation. Delayed graft function, donor age and therapy without steroids were the most important factors associated with PTA.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina Christus, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Maria Costa
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina Christus, Nephrology Department, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Sátiro
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Timbó
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina Christus, Nephrology Department, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sanna Roque
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina Christus, Nephrology Department, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Janaína Gonçalves Silva
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina Christus, Nephrology Department, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Sátiro
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Timbó
authors.affiliation: Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Transplantation Department, FortalezaCeará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronaldo Matos
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Esmeraldo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D051799:Delayed Graft Function / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine