Incidence of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease in Andalusia (1990-2009)

Abstract

Background: Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a severe complication of renal transplantation (RT) but information about its incidence and predisposing factors is diverse, varying according to geographic area and study period.

Methods: We analyzed the incidence of PTLD after all RT performed at adult transplantation centers in Andalusia from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2009, recorded in the Andalusian Transplant Co-ordination Information System (SICATA) regional computerized database (n = 5577). We calculated the risk of PTLD using the Kaplan-Meier curve, censoring for organ failure and incidence rate per patient-year of exposure. Log-rank comparisons were made by center (n = 5), decade (1990-1999 vs 2000-2009), age group, recipient gender, hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology, transplantation number, and duration of pre-RT replacement therapy (per quartiles).

Results: We identified 60 cases of PTLD. The pre-RT treatment time was 48.2 ± 60 months; 11.7% were retransplantations, and 10.4% had a positive HCV serology. The median post-RT time before diagnosis of PTLD was 5.98 years. At the time of the database analysis, only 11 patients (18%) were alive with a functioning transplant; 10% had returned to dialysis and 72% had died. The actuarial incidence of PTLD at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years post-RT was 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.6%, and 2.9%, respectively; the exposure rate was 14.71 PTLD/10,000 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.3-17.1). Although the incidence tended to be higher in 1990-1999 than 2000-2009 (16.8 vs 12.1 cases/10,000 patient-years), in the actuarial study the difference was far from significant (at 7.5 years, 1.2 vs 0.8%; P = .4). Nor were there significant differences in the curves of incidence per RT center (1%-1.2% of patients) or recipient characteristics.

Conclusions: The cumulative incidence of PTLD in Andalusia in patients with a functioning kidney transplant during 1990-2009 was 2.9% at 20 years. There was no significant variation between the RT centers or over time. No associated factors were identified among the basic recipient variables studied.