IMPACT OF CYCLOSPORINE ON THE INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC REJECTION IN RENAL-TRANSPLANTS

Over a 14-year period, 435 patients underwent renal transplantation. C hronic rejection has occurred in 58 (13%) of all grafts and has accoun ted for 18% of all graft losses. After the first 6 months following tr ansplantation, chronic rejection was the most common cause of graft fa ilure, accounting for 40% of losses. The median time (interquartile ra nge) from transplantation to graft failure was 3 years (2-5.5 years). Comparison of azathioprine versus cyclosporin treated patients showed no significant difference in the incidence of graft loss (Cox regressi on score 2.55, P = 0.11). Furthermore, there were significantly more g rafts with deteriorating function owing to chronic rejection in cyclos porin-treated patients (n = 16, 11% of surviving grafts) than in azath ioprine-treated patients (n = 2, 3% of surviving grafts). These data s uggest that cyclosporin does not prevent the development of chronic re jection in renal transplants.