Impaired renal function is associated with mortality in kidney-transplanted patients

To date, only a few, at times conflicting, reports suggested that renal function and mortality are associated in kidney-transplanted patients. In our prevalence cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that renal function is associated with mortality in transplanted patients.

Data from 985 transplanted patients were analyzed. Socio-demographic parameters, laboratory data, medical and transplant history, type of immunosuppression and estimated glomerular filtration rate were tabulated at baseline. Data on 5-year outcome were collected prospectively.

In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, the estimated glomerular filtration rate measured at baseline significantly predicted mortality [hazard ratio (HR)(for each 10 ml/min decrease) = 1.271; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.121-1.440] after adjustment for several covariables. Additionally, in multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, chronic kidney disease stage 4-5 (HR = 2.678; 95% CI: 1.494-4.802) significantly increased the mortality hazard compared to chronic kidney disease stage 1-2.

Renal function is significantly and independently associated with mortality over 5 years in kidney-transplanted patients among whom mycophenolate mofetil use was very prevalent.