The influence of HLA-A, B compatibility on the outcome of cadaver renal transplantation in Stockholm during 1970–1980

The influence of HLA-A, B-matching on the results of 362 cadaver renal transplantations was analyzed. Of these, 34 of the patients had diabetes and 105 were 55 years old or more. The case material was divided into groups, based on the number of HLA-A, B incompatibilities. The occurence of factors having a possible bearing on kidney graft survival was determined in each match group. It was found that several of these factors, such as the immunosuppressive agents given and the number of high-risk patients, were unequally distributed in the various groups. This may be related to changes in policy that have occured since the transplant unit was moved to Huddinge Hospital in November 1973. In order to obtain homogeneous case material, the Huddinge series was analyzed separately.
A significant difference in survival was found in both materials between transplants with 2 or less incompatibilities and those with more than 2 incompatibilities. A significant difference in patient survival between these two groups was found in the total case material.