Pretransplantation serum FT3 concentration in kidney recipients is useful to identify higher risk of graft failure

Background

Free triiodothyronine (FT₃) is a marker of comorbidity in end-stage renal disease and in many acute and chronic diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of pretransplantation FT₃ concentration on graft function.

Materials and Methods

Between 2003 and 2008, the study enrolled 86 patients who underwent renal transplantation. Twenty-six patients were women, and 60 were men, with overall mean (SD) age of 38 (10) years. In all patients, serum FT₃, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations were determined before transplantation. Demographic data and laboratory values were evaluated at 2 years posttransplantation.

Results

The overall graft survival rate at 2 years was 82.1%. Pretransplantation serum FT₃ concentration was inversely correlated with 2-year serum creatinine concentration (r = −0.29; P = .01) and proteinuria (r = −0.37; P < .00). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that serum FT₃ (r² = 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.74; P = .00) was a statistically significant risk factor for increased serum creatinine concentration. No correlation was observed for thyroid-stimulating hormone or free thyroxine and posttransplantation data.

Conclusion

Patients with end-stage renal disease with low pretransplantation serum FT₃ concentration are at greater risk of subsequent graft failure. Measurement of pretransplantation serum FT₃ concentration could be a clinically useful method of identifying patients at increased risk of graft failure.