Presence of vesicoureteral reflux in the graft kidney does not adversely affect long-term graft outcome in kidney transplant recipients

Introduction We studied the incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the graft kidney and its effect on the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and long-term graft function. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 64 adult kidney transplant recipients based upon voiding cystourethrography at 12 months post-transplantation. Patients underwent analysis of survival, incidence of UTIs beyond 1 year, and graft function. Results Thirty-seven male and 27 female patients in the study populations showed a mean age 42 years. VUR in the transplanted kidney at 12 months post-transplant occurred among 78.1% (50/64) of subjects: grade I (n = 6), grade II (n = 30), or grade III (n = 14) reflux. Patients followed for a median 61 months (range 44-74s) showed 11 cases of UTIs in 9 subjects. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics or incidence of, UTIs according to the presence or severity of VUR (P =.81) or the Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate values at 12, 36, 48, or 60 months post-transplantation. Conclusions VUR present in 78.1% of patients after kidney transplantation affected neither graft functions or graft survival. The incidence of UTI did not differ according to the presence of VUR.