Functional capacity and rehabilitation of recipients with a functioning renal allograft for ten years or more

Forty-nine renal transplant recipients who had a single functioning allograft for ten or more years are reviewed. There were 17 cadaver recipients and 32 living-related recipients. Most patients have enjoyed excellent long-term renal function with stable mean daily dosages of azathioprine and prednisone. Fifty-three percent of patients never experienced a rejection episode, and 24% of patients experienced only one rejection episode. Five recipients (10%) developed malignancy following transplantation. Based on the Karnofsky activity scale, 80% of patients enjoyed unrestricted activity at ten years posttransplant. The two major factors contributing to declining activity were progression of systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis or diabetes, and declining allograft function. Following transplantation, all patients developed renewed interest in sexual activity, all men were potent, and all women experienced regular menses. Nine men achieved fatherhood and five women underwent successful pregnancy. Currently, 46 recipients are alive with a functioning allograft. These data confirm the ability of recipients with a long-term functioning renal allograft to return to the work force, participate in preillness levels of activity, and enjoy sexual activity and parenthood.