Renal transplantation in patients with lupus nephritis: a single-center experience

Few data are available about the long-term outcome of renal transplantation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

We retrospectively studied all lupus nephritis patients who received kidney allografts in our center between June 1989 and 2006. Patient and allograft outcomes were compared with those of 60 controls.

Mean follow-up after renal transplantation was 87 +/- 39 months for patients with lupus and 88 +/- 54 months for controls. Actuarial 10-year patient (83% vs 85%; P = .62) and death-censored graft survival rates (73% vs 69%; P = .36) were not significantly different between lupus patients and controls. Intravascular thrombotic events occurred in 4 patients with SLE (17.4%) and 3 controls (5%; P < .05). Recurrence of lupus nephritis was documented in 1 renal allograft (4.3%).

Long-term patient and graft survivals were similar in SLE and non-SLE renal transplant recipients. The risk for thrombotic complications was greater among SLE patients.