tacrolimus and Gout

Topics: Adult; Female; Gout; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Liver Transplantation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Tacrolimus; Wrist Joint

Gout is a common comorbidity among solid organ transplantation patients and is usually attributed to the use of cyclosporine. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of gout among solid organ transplantation patients to determine the prevalence in the tacrolimus era.. To what degree is cyclosporine still used among prevalent solid organ transplantation patients? How prevalent is gout in the solid organ transplantation population not being treated by cyclosporine?. Immunosuppressant regimens and gout prevalence among prevalent solid organ transplantation patients were assessed using retrospective claims data for a representative sample of commercially insured patients. For comparison to the prevalent solid organ transplantation population, immunosuppressant use at time of transplantation was compiled from published reports.. Between 2012 and 2016, the use of cyclosporine declined while use of tacrolimus increased, with greater cyclosporine use among prevalent versus incident solid organ transplantation patients. The prevalence of gout was 18.3%, 9.3%, and 9.1% for solid organ transplantation patients on cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and neither, respectively. Among all solid organ transplantation patients with gout, 66.6% and 21.5% were on tacrolimus versus cyclosporine. The prevalence of gout among noncyclosporine solid organ transplantation patients was significantly higher than in the general population without solid organ transplantation.. Despite declining cyclosporine use, gout prevalence remains high, with the majority of patients with gout receiving tacrolimus rather than cyclosporine. In summary, gout remains a frequent comorbidity of solid organ transplantation.

Topics: Cyclosporine; Female; Gout; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Insurance Claim Review; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Transplantation; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Tacrolimus; United States

Incidents of new-onset vitiligo attributed to infliximab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis have been reported. Reported cases share a common theme in that symptoms manifested in close proximity to the initiation or significant dose increase of the medication. This case describes the presentation of infliximab-induced vitiligo in a patient using it for long-term treatment of stable pityriasis rubra pilaris. The patient was initiated and titrated to a stable dose of infliximab totaling 27 months' duration. He was able to achieve near-complete resolution of symptoms before developing depigmented patches consistent with vitiligo. Infliximab was discontinued. Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and narrow-band ultraviolet B light successfully repigmented the patches. The association of discontinuing infliximab and resolution of vitiligo suggests infliximab had a role in this case. Though the mechanism of involvement is undetermined, infliximab may have induced an autoimmune process by paradoxically activating lymphocytes. Alternatively, infliximab antibodies may have led to the process by disrupting the normal balance of cytokines.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gout; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Infliximab; Male; Middle Aged; Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris; Tacrolimus; Ultraviolet Therapy; Vitiligo

Although cyclosporine use has been associated with an increased risk of new-onset gout after renal transplantation, the incidence and risk factors for new-onset gout have not been reported in the era of modern immunosuppression.. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare primary renal transplant patients reported in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), using Medicare claims data to determine the incidence of new-onset gout. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) for cyclosporine (including separate analysis of Neoral) compared directly with tacrolimus, for the risk of new-onset gout, adjusted for baseline demographic factors and posttransplant renal function.. The cumulative incidence of new-onset gout was 7.6% at 3 years posttransplant. The following factors were independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset gout: use of Neoral (vs. tacrolimus, AHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.47) at discharge, recipient male sex (AHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.25-1.67), older age, higher body mass index, and more recent year of transplant. No other immunosuppressive medications were associated with new-onset gout. Diabetes was associated with a significantly lower risk of new-onset gout. The development of new-onset gout was independently associated with decreased patient survival (AHR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08-1.47) as well as death-censored graft survival.. Cyclosporine is an independent risk factor for new-onset gout after transplantation. The incidence of new-onset gout appears to be increasing even while the use of cyclosporine is decreasing, and the development of new-onset gout was an independent predictor for death and graft loss in this population.

Topics: Body Mass Index; Cyclosporine; Female; Gout; Humans; Hyperuricemia; Incidence; Kidney Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Tacrolimus; United States

Episodes of gout are common in the setting of renal transplantation. Hyperuricemia and gout have been associated with the use of the calcineurin inhibitor, cyclosporine. We report two cases of severe polyarticular gout resistant to conventional therapy in renal transplant recipients that resolved after switching from cyclosporine to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. There was no alteration in renal function, and trough concentrations of both cyclosporine and tacrolimus were within the recommended range. Resolution of gout occurred within a month of discontinuation of cyclosporine and commencement of tacrolimus. Use of tacrolimus may be beneficial in the renal transplant recipient with refractory gout.

Topics: Adult; Cyclosporine; Female; Gout; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Tacrolimus; Uric Acid