African American Lupus Patients at Greater Risk for Kidney Transplant Failure

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Study results just published showed that African Americans with lupus and kidney disease have a 56% greater risk of kidney transplant failure and 48% increased risk of dying than patients of other races.  After 10 years, the transplanted kidneys were functioning in 42.9% of African American patients compared with 58.2% of non-African Americans.  While not studied, the researchers believe that the disparities may be related to medical risk factors as well as access to health care, insurance coverage, education level and economic status. Study investigators suggest that these patients be considered high-risk and be closely monitored with a multidisciplinary approach addressing these factors.

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