Single Center Study about Post-transplant Anemia (PTA) in Korean Renal Transplant Recipients: Prevalence and Risk factors for PTA / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Post-transplant anemia (PTA) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the most common cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients. We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of PTA in patients who underwent kidney transplantation in Seoul National University Hospital. METHOD: We reviewed medical records of 223 patients who received renal transplants in Seoul National University Hospital from 1997 to 2003. We analyzed data to evaluate the prevalence of PTA and to define the risk factors for the development of PTA. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 33.5+/-21.9 months. Male-to-female ratio was 1.7 : 1 and mean age was 38.4+/-11.9. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) at the time of transplantation was 9.7+/-1.7g/dL. At the time of transplantation 213 patients (96.4%) had anemia. PTA was frequent in early phase, but in many cases it resolved spontaneously. The prevalence of PTA reached a plateau in 1 year without further decrement (around 30%). The correlation between low Hb and low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) became stronger in the late posttransplant period. Recipients' age (50) and female sex were significantly associated with PTA in the early and late post- transplant period (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: About 30% or more patients had persistent anemia after 1 year of kidney transplantation. Persistent PTA requires thorough evaluation and management, especially in patients with risk factors for PTA.