Immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus and everolimus may have toxic pulmonary effects, particularly interstitial alterations. The aim of the present study is to explore the presence of subclinical interstitial lung abnormalities in stable renal transplant recipients taking the different immunosuppressive drugs used as maintenance therapy for renal transplantation.
Prospective, cross-sectional study examining the high-resolution CT scans obtained in 63 stable renal transplant recipients taking immunosuppressive treatment for at least 24 months. The findings in patients taking the newer immunosuppressive drugs (mycophenolic acid, sirolimus and everolimus) are compared with those of the patients treated in the traditional way (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, azathioprine). All patients undergo high-resolution CT scanning. Eligibility criteria: recipients of kidney or kidney-pancreas transplant, on immunosuppressive therapy for at least 24 months, with stable renal function and absence of any overt lung disease or lung alterations induced by other drugs, systemic diseases or occupational exposure to fibrogenic agents.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
63
High-resolution CT scanning
Department of Clinical Medicine Nephrology and Health Science, Parma University Hospital
Parma, Parma, Italy
Subclinical lung alterations as assessed by high-resolution CT scanning
Time frame: CT is performed at study entry and, if abnormalities are found, it is repeated at 3-6 months
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