Comparison of low-dose and standard-dose mycophenolate mofetil in kidney transplant patients with delayed graft function

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in delayed graft function (DGF) patients in the early stage after kidney transplantation. Methods This one-year, single-center retrospective study was designed to compare complications such as infection and rejection of different doses of MMF in DGF patients in the early stage after kidney transplantation. The DGF patients were divided into two groups according to their oral MMF dose: a standard-dose group (SMDGF, n=17) and a low-dose group (LMDGF, n=16). Thirty non-DGF recipients (NDGF) were selected as a control group during this period. Results The results showed that the glomerulosclerosis rate was an independent risk factor for infection in DGF patients [odds ratio (OR): 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-0.73; P<0.01]. The infection rate was significantly higher in the SMDGF group than in the NDGF group (58.8% vs. 26.7%, χ2=4.748, P<0.05) and in the LMDGF group (18.8% vs. 58.8%, χ2=5.544, P<0.05). The mycophenolic acid area under curve of the low-dose MMF regimen was within the therapeutic window. The low-dose MMF regimen did not increase the risk of acute rejection in DGF patients. Conclusion For patients with DGF, low-dose MMF reduces the infection rate, while the risk of acute rejection does not increase. Key words: Delayed graft function; Mycophenolate mofetil; Renal biopsy; Kidney transplantation