Long-term efficacy of atorvastatin in allograft rejection following renal transplantation: A randomized clinical trial.
Amirzargar MA, Hosseini AT, et al.Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases & Transplantation 2015; 26(5): 953-957.
Aims
To evaluate the effects of statins in the incidence of acute rejection and delayed graft function among patients undergoing kidney transplantation
Interventions
43 patients were randomised into two groups where the intervention group received atorvastatin for two weeks prior to their transplant surgery, and the control group received a placebo.
Participants
Patients admitted for first time kidney transplantation aged ≥ 18 years
Outcomes
Outcomes measured were age, sex, weight, height, mean time of duration of dialysis before transplantation, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine serum levels, incidence of rejection episodes, delayed graft function (DGF), cytomegalovirus infection and hyperlipidemia.
Follow-up
11 months
CET Conclusions
This small placebo-controlled study investigated the use of atorvastatin for two weeks prior to living donor transplantation, based on the hypothesis that statins have non-lipid-lowering anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce the risk of acute rejection following transplantation. The authors found no effect of treatment on acute rejection rates or delayed graft function. The main issue with this study is a lack of power. To show significance of the observed difference in acute rejection rates (21% to 14%) at 80% power would require a study with over 450 patients per group. The current study, with a sample size of 43 patients, does not have the power to answer the question that the authors have set out meaning that no conclusions can be drawn.
Data analysis
Per protocol analysis
Trial registration
None