Abstract
BackgroundIt is very important that kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft rejection. This study aimed to identify the tacrolimus trough levels (TTL)-mean, TTL-standard deviation (SD), and TTL- coefficient of variation (CV) as well as factors affecting these values over a 2-year period in clinically stable patients > 5 years after kidney transplantation (KT).MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data from 248 adult outpatients > 5 years after KT. Medical chart data, including TTL, graft rejection, and tacrolimus dose change during a 2-year period, between January 2017 and December 2018, were collected. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors influencing the TTL-mean, TTL-SD, and TTL-CV.ResultsThe TTL-mean, TTL-SD, and TTL-CV were 6.00 ± 1.07 ng/mL, 1.51 ± 1.09 ng/mL, and 0.25 ± 0.14, respectively. The TTL-mean, TTL-SD, and TTL-CV did not differ according to sex, type of donor, retransplant, pretransplant kidney disease, body mass index, or posttransplant time; hence, they are stable in kidney transplant recipients > 5 years after KT. The higher the TTL-mean, the higher the TTL-SD. Age and the TTL-SD significantly predicted the TTL-mean (p < .001). Tacrolimus dose change and the TTL-mean significantly predicted the TTL-SD (p < .001). Tacrolimus dose change significantly predicted the TTL-CV (p = .008).ConclusionIn clinically stable KTRs, TTL-SD and TTL-CV change sensitively in relation to tacrolimus dose changes. Therefore, changes in TTL-SD and TTL-CV in stable KTRs with no tacrolimus dose change require medical interest and attention.
Highlights
Kidney transplantation (KT) is a treatment that can improve the health status and quality of life of end-stage renal disease patients [1, 2]
Research design In this retrospective study, we used medical records to investigate the tacrolimus trough levels (TTL)-mean, TTL-standard deviation (SD), TTL-coefficient of variation (CV), and the factors affecting them over a 2-year period in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) > 5 years after kidney transplantation (KT)
Differences in TTL‐mean, TTL‐SD, and TTL‐CV according to participant characteristics There were no statistically significant differences amongst the TTL-mean, TTL-SD, and TTL-CV according to sex, type of donor, retransplant, pretransplant kidney disease, BMI, and graft rejection
Summary
Kidney transplantation (KT) is a treatment that can improve the health status and quality of life of end-stage renal disease patients [1, 2]. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) should take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to prevent graft rejection [3]. Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug, is commonly used as a first-line regimen to prevent graft rejection after KT [4]. The TTL can be used as a method for monitoring adherence to tacrolimus [8]. Research is needed to understand how TTL can be used to monitor adherence to tacrolimus. It is very important that kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft rejection. This study aimed to identify the tacrolimus trough levels (TTL)-mean, TTL-standard deviation (SD), and TTL- coefficient of variation (CV) as well as factors affecting these values over a 2-year period in clinically stable patients > 5 years after kidney transplantation (KT)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
