The role of renal bone disease in the production of transplant osteonecrosis.
Two groups of renal transplant patients who were nearly identical in regard to transplantation technique and immunosuppression protocols were compared. Renal bone disease occurred in 42% of the first group and in 12.5% of the second group, and the incidence of osteonecrosis was 15% in the former and 0% in the latter. The reduction in renal bone disease was likely due to major improvements in dialysis technique and medical management. There was a definite positive statistical relationship between the reduction in the renal bone disease and the reduced incidence of osteonecrosis (p < 0.05). Total steroid dosages and the amount and number of steroid pulses for acute rejections were approximately the same for both groups and therefore, a reduction in steroid dosages was not the reason for the decreased incidence of osteonecrosis in the second patient group.
J E
JE
Kenzora
M J
MJ
Glimcher