Characteristics of cadaveric renal allograft recipients developing chronic rejection.

As the early results of renal transplantation improve, chronic rejection is increasing in relative importance as a cause of graft loss. The aetiology of the condition is unknown. In order to identify possible predisposing factors, the characteristics of 22 patients with chronic rejection were compared with those of 50 patients with stable graft function 2 years or more after transplantation. Patients with chronic rejection had significantly more acute rejection episodes in the first 6 months after transplant (P less than 0.01), a higher incidence of acute rejection with vascular features (P less than 0.01), and longer ischaemic times (P less than 0.05) compared to patients with stable graft function. In a logistic regression analysis both frequency and severity of acute rejection episodes were significantly associated with the subsequent development of chronic rejection. Thus chronic rejection is associated with early injury to the transplanted kidney.