Early Versus Late Conversion From Immediate to Prolonged-Release Tacrolimus After Renal Transplantation: Clinical Effects and Treatment Costs

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-TAC) was associated with improved renal function after transplantation when compared to immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-TAC) although evidence is still scarce. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and treatment costs in patients who converted from IR-TAC to PR-TAC during the first year after renal transplantation (RT) (early converters [EC]) or after that period (late converters [LC]). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study including 79 patients (EC, 39; LC, 41) which were followed up over 60 months. A mixed-effects approach was used to investigate the differences between both groups regarding renal and metabolic outcomes as well as treatment costs. RESULTS: The median time from RT to conversion was 3 months for EC and 25 months for LC. For both EC and LC, a significant increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed after conversion (5.2 and 4.9 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively). During the first year after RT, EC presented a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and inferior tacrolimus trough levels when compared to LC, with higher mean treatment costs associated. However, thereafter, these outcomes were similar between groups over the remaining time. At the end of follow-up, no significant differences were found regarding allograft acute rejection (2.6% and 2.4%), new-onset diabetes (15.7% vs 12.2%) or cardiovascular events (5.2% vs 7.3%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant benefit on renal function after conversion from IR-TAC to PR-TAC. During the first year after RT, EC presented improved renal function, but higher treatment costs. None of these differences persisted at the end of follow-up.