Outcome of 235 renal transplant recipients followed up at ministry of health hospitals in the State of Johor

Retrospective analysis was done on 235 recipients, 133 males and 102 females, who were transplanted between 25th September 1979 and 25th June 1999. 85.1% were Chinese, 7.7% were Indians and 7.2% Malays. 23% (54) were living related renal transplants (LRRT) all except 5 done at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. 60% (141) were living unrelated donor renal transplants (LURT) done in India. 17% (40) were cadaveric transplants (CADT) (all done in China except 2 at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and one in London). 97% (228) were first transplants. Primary renal disease was unknown in 69.4%, 17% (40) glomerulonephritis, 5.5% diabetic nephropathy and 8.1% 19 others. All were on prednisolone, 93.2% were on azathioprine and 96.6% were on cyclosporin A. The acute rejection rate was 23.4% (55 episodes). Patient survival was 88% at five years and patients alive with functioning graft was 84% at 5 years. LRRT had significantly better survival compared to LURT. 34 grafts were lost to chronic allograft nephropathy. 46 recipients died (33 died with functioning graft).