A randomized trial comparing triple-drug and double-drug therapy in renal transplantation: Analysis at 7 years

This is the 7-year update of a randomized trial comparing triple (TT) and double (DT) immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation. At 7 years, patient survival rate was 85% in DT vs. 87% in TT (P=NS); graft survival rate was 73% in DT and 68% in TT (P=NS); pure graft survival was 86% in DT vs. 77% in TT (P=0.096). The 7-year graft survival rate was 67% for cadaver graft recipients vs. 92% for living-related graft recipients (P=0.044). No difference in the slopes of plasma creatinine between the two groups was observed. Ten DT and 13 TT patients changed their original therapy: statistical analysis, however, was carried out according to intention to treat. Both CsA levels and doses were significantly higher in DT than in TT group (P