title: Electrolytes Disturbance and Cyclosporine Blood Levels among Kidney Transplant Recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kidney transplantation is associated with various biochemical abnormalities such as changes in serum blood level of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and phosphorous (P). Although cyclosporine (CsA) is used commonly, the prevalence of its side effects, including electrolytes disturbance, is not well understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find the prevalence of electrolytes disturbance and its relation to CsA blood levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, 3308 kidney transplant recipients transplanted between 2008 and 2011 were studied. We evaluated the relation between serum Ca, P, Na, K and CsA trough (C0) and 2-hour post-dose (C2) levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean±SD age of recipients was 37±15 years; 63% of patients were male. Overall, C2 levels had correlation with Ca blood level (p=0.018; OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.02-1.25), C0 levels had also correlation with blood levels of P and Cr (p<0.001; OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.59-2.11).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrolyte disturbances are prevalent. Higher serum levels of CsA can worsen the allograft function by disturbing the serum P and Ca levels.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Einollahi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nemati
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rostami
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teimoori
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ghadian
keywords: Cyclosporine; electrolytes; kidney; transplantation