HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Objectives. The aim of study was to assess the prevalence and severity of hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients in a Nordic country. Design. Multicentre, cross-sectional study. Setting. Outpatients and w ard inpatients registered from 23 hospitals covering all regions of th e country. Subjects. Renal transplant patients with a functioning graf t were registered: 406 patients in all; that is, 43% of the national r enal transplant population. All patients used prednisolone, 71% used c yclosporine, either with (51%) or without (20%) azathioprine. Total ch olesterol values from general population were obtained from a national survey. Main outcome measures. Blood lipids and their relation to cli nical parameters.Results. Total cholesterol was significantly higher i n transplant patients than in the general population for both genders and all age groups (P < 0.01). Female patients had higher total choles terol (mean +/- SD: 7.49 +/- 1.61 mmol L(-1)) than males (7.01 +/- 1.5 5 mmol L(-1); P < 0.001), and also higher HDL cholesterol (1.55 +/- 0. 43 vs. males: 1.32 +/- 0.46 mmol L(-1); P < 0.001). Triglycerides were equally elevated in both genders, and 33% had values above 2.2 mmol L (-1). Reduced creatinine clearance, a high body-mass index, female gen der, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were independently asso ciated with higher total cholesterol. Beta blockers were associated wi th lower HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides, and diuretics with higher triglycerides. Blood lipid levels were not associated with cycl osporine immunosuppression. Conclusion. Hyperlipidaemia is prevalent a fter renal transplantation, and is associated with impaired graft func tion, hypertension, and with the use of beta blockers and diuretics, b ut not with the use of cyclosporine.