Introduction:
Hypertension is common in the post transplant period and its causes are multi-factorial mainly from fluid overload, native kidney disease and immunosuppressive medications. There is paucity of studies on post transplant hypertension and graft survival in the post transplant period in the Nigerian population.
Methods:
The study is a cross-sectional multi-center study on 112 patients, aged 18 years and above who underwent live donor kidney transplantation in Nigeria over a 6 year period (July 2018 to July 2024). Biodata and relevant clinical characteristics such as cause of native kidney disease, Immunosuppressive drugs, number of medications post transplant, post transplant graft function, donor characteristics and hypertension, delayed graft function and lifestyle modifications were documented. Tables, graphs and charts were used to display data. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.
Results:
The prevalence of hypertension was 95%. Up to 45% had stage 2 hypertension while 38% had stage 3 hypertension. Most of the patients (83%) were on tacrolimus –based immunosuppressive medication. Majority (55%) were on three drug antihypertensive regimen, 40% were on two drug regimen while 5% were on monotherapy for blood pressure control. Calcium channel blockers constituted 45% of all prescriptions followed by angiotensin receptor blockers in 30%. Donors were mostly males (90%) with no documented history of donor hypertension. Blood pressure was poorly controlled in 35% of the patients and 20% had resistant hypertension. Logistic regression analysis showed that use of one or two -drug antihypertensive regimen, occurrence of delayed graft function and chronic glomerular disease as cause of native kidney disease were independent risk factors for poor blood pressure control among the transplant population with adjusted odd’s ratio of 6.5, 7,3 and 11.
Conclusions:
Hypertension among the transplant patient is prevalent and poorly controlled in a one-third of the patients. Attention to the risk factor will help in achieving good control and reduce cardiovascular risk in the post transplant period
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.