Skin disorders in renal transplant recipients: a retrospective study*

BACKGROUND Immunosuppressive therapy, which is necessary to avoid graft rejection in renal transplant recipients, presents an increased risk of several pathologies, namely infectious and neoplastic. OBJECTIVES To identify the most frequent skin diseases and their clinical and demographical risk factors within a population of renal transplant recipients. METHODS A retrospective study of renal transplant recipients referred to dermatology visit and observed for the first time from January 2008 to December 2014. RESULTS The study included 197 patients, 120 men (60,9%). Mean age was 50,7 years (±13,4). 12 patients (6,1%) had previous skin cancer. Infections were the most frequent reason of referral (93/197; 44%). From the total referred, 18,3% (36/197) presented pre-cancerous lesions. Malignancy was diagnosed in 36 patients (18,3%), with 29 non-melanoma skin cancers (14,7%) and 7 Kaposi sarcomas (3,6%). Ratio of basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma was 1,1:1. Non-melanoma skin cancer was significantly associated with older age (p = 0,002), male gender (p = 0,028), history of previous skin cancer (p = 0,002) and higher duration of immunosuppressive therapy (p<0,001). STUDY LIMITATIONS Retrospective study, with data from the first visit in dermatology. We didn't made classification on skin-types. CONCLUSIONS The great incidence of cutaneous infections and skin cancer is responsible for a significant morbidity. It is important to assure the regular dermatological follow-up of renal transplant recipients, which will promote the prevention, an early diagnosis and an efficient treatment.