Can a combined screening/treatment programme prevent premature failure of renal transplants due to chronic rejection in patients with HLA antibodies: study protocol for the multicentre randomised controlled OuTSMART trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Renal transplantation is the best treatment for kidney failure, in terms of length and quality of life and cost-effectiveness. However, most transplants fail after 10 to 12 years, consigning patients back onto dialysis. Damage by the immune system accounts for approximately 50% of failing transplants and it is possible to identify patients at risk by screening for the presence of antibodies against human leukocyte antigens. However, it is not clear how best to treat patients with antibodies. This trial will test a combined screening and treatment protocol in renal transplant recipients.

Methods/design

Recipients>1 year post-transplantation, aged 18 to 70 with an estimated glomerular filtration rate>30 mL/min will be randomly allocated to blinded or unblinded scree

SUBMITTER: Dorling A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3906093 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature