Impact of patterns of proteinuria on renal allograft function and survival: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Proteinuria is an important complication in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the long-term impact of transplant proteinuria patterns on allograft function and survival. Methods: We analyzed urinary protein of a cohort of 83 renal transplants with proteinuria ≥0.5g/d by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and radial immunogel diffusion assay. After initial stratification and analysis, the cohort was followed up for 16yr. The graft outcome and survival were analyzed using Cox regression model to determine their association with different patterns of initial transplant proteinuria. Results: Group with predominantly glomerular (middle- and high-molecular-weight with or without low-molecular-weight) proteinuria (61%) had higher serum creatinine (p