Impact of monocyte-macrophage inhibition by ibandronate on graft function and survival after kidney transplantation: a single-centre follow-up study over 15years.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ibandronate administration on long-term graft function and graft survival after successful renal transplantation. Seventy-two renal transplant recipients (36 patients each in the treatment and control group) were included and followed over a 15-year period. Data on graft function and death-censored transplant outcome were recorded at 1, 5, 10, and 15years. Death-censored Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly improved graft survival of the treatment group (p=0.026), whereas Cox regression analysis showed that ibandronate was positively associated with improved transplant survival (p=0.028, hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.86). Although general linear modelling did not indicate that ibandronate had a significant effect on transplant function (calculated using the estimated glomerular filtration rate according to Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation) over the entire 15-year period (p=0.650), there was a tendency towards improved graft function 1-year post-transplantion (p=0.056). Ibandronate treatment within the first year of transplantation resulted in a trend towards better graft function within the first few year post-transplant, and was associated with increased transplant survival at long-term follow-up.