A two-year retrospective analysis of renal transplant patients in Sri Lanka

This retrospective analytical study aimed at establishing a database of patients who underwent renal transplant under the Faculty of Medicine (Colombo) renal transplant programme. Patients who underwent renal transplant under the programme from 31st December 2004 to 31st December 2006 were included in the study. The objective was to build a profile of renal transplant patient with focus on post KT infections and complications of renal transplants. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used. N=72, government sector 46 (62.5 %) and private sector 26 (37.5 %). Eighteen (25%) had died by February 2007. Forty three patients (58.3%) were interviewed and twelve patients could not be contacted. Of the interviewed, 28 (38.9%) were on azathioprine, prednisolone and cyclosporin while 15 (20.8%) were on prednisolone, cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil. Four patients had symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection and 5 had tuberculosis post transplant. Of all infections, the most commonly reported was urinary tract infection (11 cases). Out of the total sample, 33 (45.8 %) had received induction therapy with either basiliximab (8) or daclizumab (25). There was no significant benefit in protection against acute rejection in those who took induction therapy. Acute rejection was the most commonly encountered complication with 9 cases (12.5 %) being reported over the study period. Of late complications, most were due to immunosuppression. Overall 2 year survival was 75%, with no significant difference depending on the center of transplant.