[Hyperlipidemia after kidney transplantation and its control by individualized therapy: evaluation of the first...

Secondary hyperlipidaemia (HLP) is one of the most serious metabolic complications in patients after transplantations of the kidney. In its development a number of factors may participate, the most important ones being immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporin A and prednisone) and the patients dietary habits. In a prospective metabolic trial a group of 248 patients after transplantation of the kidney with a long-term stable function of the graft were followed up for 12 months. Group I (128 patients) was systematically followed up in the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and the patients were treated by individualized dietetic and pharmacological intervention. Group II (120 patients) were out-patients who were treated according to current procedures in other departments than the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. The cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol increased significantly in both groups starting with the 3rd month of the follow-up. A subsequent decline was observed in group I from the 9th month onward, while in group II both values rose steadily. The triacylglycerol level rose in both groups during the 6th month, there were however great interindividual differences. There was a significant rise of the HDL-cholesterol. The Lp(a) level changed also significantly--its values--after an initial drop during the 3rd month--rose significantly in group II.