The same drugs that make it possible to avoid rejection after transplant of non-renal organs are likely responsible for the subsequent high rate of kidney failure among recipients.
That is the conclusion of researchers who looked at the five-year risk of renal failure after transplant. Renal failure for transplant patients ranges from seven to 21 percent five years after transplant. At the three year mark the failure rate was noted to be 16.5 percent.
This result was reported in the September 4, 2003 New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers looked at 70,000 recipients of transplants of solid organs (except kidneys) in the 1990s. Authors note that earlier research suggests the culprit may be the immunosuppressant medications all recipients must take.
“Transplantation would not be possible without medications that prevent transplant rejection like Prograf, Prednisone, Cyclosporine, Rapamune. However, these medications may lead to problems like toxicity to the kidney, increased cholesterol levels, infections, bone loss or osteoporosis, certain types of cancer, and increased blood sugar, “ says Jennifer D. Refugia, M.S., C.R.N.P., Transplant Nurse Practitioner in the Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of getting lab work done religiously, seeing the transplant specialist and the primary care provider on a regular basis.”
Bridges Winter 2003-2004
