IRON PARAMETERS IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON GRAFT FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Background: Anemia is more common in renal transplant recipients than in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who have a similar glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Iron deficiency is the most common factor contributing to early post-transplant anemia (PTA). Several factors lead to iron deficiency, including inadequate iron stores at the time of transplantation, blood loss during surgery, increased iron utilization due to the onset of erythropoiesis, and poor nutrition. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of iron parameters and graft function in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: All patients who underwent renal transplantation in Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital Nephrology Department between January 2016 and January 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Data on age, sex, primary disease at the time of transplantation were notted. Hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were recorded before and after transplantation. The effects of these parameters on graft function were examined. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the prognosis results according to the preop Ferritin values. The postop 1st year Ferritin values of the patients with poor prognosis were statistically significantly higher than the patients with good prognosis. Preoperative saturation values of patients with poor prognosis were statistically significantly higher than those with good prognosis. Prognosis results did not show a statistically significant difference according to preop, postop 1st year and 2nd year haemoglobin values. Conclusions: In conclusion, while ferritin level and transferrin saturation negatively affected the prognosis in renal transplant recipients, hemoglobin level did not affect the prognosis. More extensive and prospective studies are needed on this subject.