Characteristics of Recipients Whose Kidney Allograft Has Functioned for More Than 20 Years

Abstract

Objectives: To study the characteristics of, and predictors for, survival in renal transplant recipients with an allograft functioning for more than 20 years.

Materials and Methods: Of 144 renal transplants done between 1976 and 1985, 31 allografts were still functioning for more than 20 years (range, 21-28.5 years). The characteristics of the patients and determinants of the outcomes were obtained by reviewing the patients’ medical records.

Results: Fourteen patients were treated with cyclosporine, while 17 patients had primary immunosuppression with azathioprine-based regimens. Episodes of acute rejection occurred in 17 patients (58%), 7 of these experienced 2 or more episodes. At most-recent follow-up, the mean serum creatinine level was 132 ± 44 µmol/L . Four patients were assessed by graft biopsy 15 or more years after the transplant, revealing 2 cases of mild glomerulosclerosis and 2 cases of moderate chronic allograft nephropathy. The most common complication was hypertension (54%). The independent determinants of long-term graft survival were donor age and source, hypertension both before and after renal transplant, and histopathological findings of chronic allograft nephropathy.

Conclusions: Renal transplant offers a near-normal life to patients with end-stage renal disease soon after transplant and for upwards of 20 years and more. We found no significant benefit to cyclosporine-based immunosuppression on long-term graft survival.