Progression of renal transplant following removal of azathioprine in stable triple immunosuppressed patients

Abstract

Introduction: Until 1997 classical immunosuppression included three drugs, namely cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone. However, in selected cases azathioprine was removed due to significant adverse effects. Objective: To compare the progression of renal transplant patients in which following azathioprine was removed from the immunosuppression regimen of cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone, to patients maintained under the triple immunosuppression regimen. Method: The study was a cohort, retrospective and observational investigation. Thirty-four similar patients submitted to first transplant were divided into two groups: azathioprine was removed in the 17- patient group 1 and was maintained in the group 2, together with cyclosporine and prednisone. Results: Renal function, proteinuria, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, infection and other complications were similar in both groups. Conclusion: The removal of azathioprine from the initial immunosuppression regimen, which also includs cyclosporine and prednisone, in renal transplant patients with at least three months of following transplant, did not cause significant complications in the progression of the graft.