Incidence of tacrolimus-induced gingival overgrowth in the absence of calcium channel blockers: a short-term study

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of gingival overgrowth (GO) induced by tacrolimus (Tcr) compared with ciclosporin A (CiA) in the absence of calcium channel blockers (CCB) in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Forty patients (20 Tcr and 20 CiA) were evaluated before and 30 and 90 days after kidney transplantation. Demographic (age, gender) and periodontal parameters were recorded for all patients. Patients taking CCB at any time during the study were excluded from the investigation. RESULTS: The mean GO score was significantly lower (p=0.014) in the Tcr group (6.4%) compared with the CiA group (17.9%) after 90 days of immunosuppressive therapy. At 90 days post-transplant, clinically significant GO was observed in four patients of the CiA group and in two of the Tcr group. This difference was not statistically significant (0.66). CONCLUSION: No significant difference in the incidence of clinically significant GO was observed between the CiA and Tcr groups up to 90 days of immunosuppressive therapy.