Effect of Age on Leukopenia Following Renal Transplantation at a Single Center.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Leukopenia in renal transplant recipients occurs commonly within the first year following transplantation; however, literature on the effects of age on leukopenia is scarce.

DESIGN:

A single-center, retrospective review was conducted on 141 recipients transplanted from January 2011 to December 2015. Transplant recipients were characterized by age <60 years (n = 94) or age 60 years and older (n = 47) for analysis.

RESULTS:

A greater incidence of leukopenia was seen in the older cohort compared to the younger cohort (64% vs 55%). Of those patients who developed leukopenia, the older cohort (n = 30) had a higher incidence of hospitalization for leukopenia (30% vs 23%) but a lower incidence of hospitalization for infection (20% vs 25%) compared to the younger cohort (n = 52). Additionally, one month following mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) discontinuation, the older cohort had reduced recovery of their white blood cell count (+263.8% vs +272.5%) and experienced less recurrent leukopenic episodes (50% vs 67%) and rejection episodes (0% vs 22%) compared to the younger cohort, alluding to the need for less immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONS:

Age at transplantation was not associated with the development of leukopenia; however, older patients had a higher incidence of leukopenia and hospitalization for leukopenia. Dose reduction or discontinuation of MMF should be considered in older kidney transplant recipients who develop leukopenia.

• Authors: Yanmen Yang, Christina M Guerra, Nabil Sumrani
• Journal: Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) (Prog Transplant) Vol. 29 Issue 1 Pg. 54-60 (03 2019) ISSN: 2164-6708 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30514165 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Mycophenolic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Kidney Transplantation
• Leukopenia (epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mycophenolic Acid (administration & dosage)
• New York City (epidemiology)
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology, etiology)
• Retrospective Studies