Musculoskeletal manifestation of kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney transplantation has been established as an effective treatment method for patients with end-stage renal disease. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints following kidney transplant. Patient and Methods: We designed a retrospective-descriptive study on kidney transplant recipients. This study was performed on medical records of 1189 kidney transplant patients referring to the kidney transplantation ward of Golestan hospital (Ahvaz, Iran). Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.8 ± 13.5 years. Out of the 1189 patients, 231 (22.3%) had musculoskeletal manifestations, with the most prevalent problem being non-inflammatory pain (41.4%). Additionally, degenerative joint disease, especially in the lumbar spine, was the most common clinical finding in this study (24%). Besides, hypovitaminose D (71.4%) and elevated parathyroid hormone levels (51.3%) and hyperuricemia (50.8%) were the most common laboratory abnormalities observed in our patients. Conclusion: Approximately 22.3% of our renal transplant patients had musculoskeletal manifestations. Attention to earlier detection of these manifestations through regular examinations would reduce the complications and burden of the disease.