Medical complications after live donor kidney transplantation: An experience from tertiary care hospital of south Punjab, Pakistan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of medical complications after renal transplantation in recipients. Study Design: Prospective Cohort study. Setting: Nephrology Unit, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Period: December 2018 to March 2022. Material & Methods: All patients undergoing renal transplant during the study period were included. Patients unwilling to be part of this study or losing follow-ups were excluded. At the time of enrollment, all patients underwent pre-transplant work-up and routine investigations. Baseline characteristics of renal transplant recipients and donors were noted while frequency of post renal transplant medical complications was also noted. Results: In a total of 39 renal transplant recipients, 32 (82.1%) were male while the mean age was 30.31±7.21 years. Mean duration of dialysis before transplantation was 6.81±5.15 months (ranging between 0-24 months). Mean age of the live donors was 35.90±9.36 years. Mean duration of follow up was 26.15±11.62 months. Renal graft dysfunction was reported in 10 (25.6%) patients. Most common medical complications reported in post-transplantation period were sepsis 19 (48.7%), anemia 19(48.7%), secondary polycythemia 10 (25.6%), CMV infection 4 (10.3%) and new onset diabetes mellitus 3 (7.7%). Mortality was reported in 2 (5.1%) renal transplant recipients and the cause of mortality in both those patients was sepsis. Conclusion:  Medical complications are common after renal transplantation. Sepsis being more common in 1^st6-months post-transplant period. Early recognition and management of these complications is essential for decreasing mortality and morbidity of patients.