Effect of induction therapy in kidney transplantation in sensitive patients: analysis of risks and benefits.

Introduction: Sensitization is associated with worse clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation (KT), including increased incidence of delayed graft function, acute rejection (AR) and graft loss.

Objectives: To evaluate 1-year efficacy and safety outcomes in sensitized KT recipients receiving antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and compare them to non-sensitized patients.

Methods: Deceased donors KT recipients transplanted between January 1998 and December 2009 were divided into 5 groups: control group 1 -n = 89, PRA negative, without induction therapy; control group 2 - n = 94, PRA negative, basiliximab induction; control group 3 - n = 81, PRA negative, ATG induction; test group 4 - n = 64, PRA 1-49%, ATG induction; test group 5 -n = 118, PRA ≥ 50%, ATG induction.