Neurological Manifestations in Post Renal Transplant Patients at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Pakistan
Sadia Nishat1, Mughis Sheerani2
1Neurology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, 2Neurogym
Objective:

 To assess the incidence and various types of neurological disorders seen in post renal transplant patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Background:
Neurological complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide in patients who undergo solid organ transplants. Approximately one-third of SOT (solid organ transplant) patients will experience a neurological complication. This study was conducted in the largest kidney transplant center of Pakistan. 
Design/Methods:

A single-center cross sectional study was done on renal transplant patients who developed neurological complications while being admitted or as outpatients from October 2017- January 2022 at SIUT. After ERB approval, data was collected in a standardized format while excluding out patients with psychiatric illness. Statistical analysis was carried out on SPSS version 20.

Results:

Total of 327 patients over a period of 4 years and 3 months were reviewed. Age range was 8-61+years, with mean age of 38 years; and majority were males (n229, 70%). Most common cause of renal transplant was unknown in 176 (52.6%). patients. Onset of neurological symptoms was mostly seen between 1-5 years after transplant. Most common presenting complaint was headache (n96, 29.4%) and seizures (n82, 25.1%).Most common neurological diagnosis was peripheral neuropathy (n85, 26%) followed by CNS infections (n49, 15%) and then epilepsy (n47, 14.4%). Along with low dose steroids, 235 patients were given azathioprine followed by cyclosporine [n111] as immunosuppressant.

Conclusions:

Peripheral Neuropathy and CNS infections were leading neurological complications after renal transplant while most common symptoms were found to be headaches and seizures.

10.1212/WNL.0000000000204300