Primary and secondary renal transplantation in diabetic patients.

A total of 117 (101 primary and 16 secondary) renal transplants were performed on 101 diabetic patients. The mean duration of diabetes mellitus to the onset of end-stage renal disease was 17.5 years. After primary transplantation, overall one- and five-year patient survival was 77% and 55%, respectively; for grafts, it was 58% and 45%, respectively. One- and five-year living-related donor graft survival was 66% and 53%, respectively; for cadaveric kidneys, it was 45% and 33, respectively. One- and five-year graft survival for 20 HLA-identical living-related donor kidneys was 85% and 77%, respectively. Among the 16 recipients of secondary grafts, patient survival at one and five years was 65% and 29%, respectively; graft survival at one year was 24%. Acceptable patient and graft survival continues with primary renal transplantation. In view of the poor results with secondary transplantation in the diabetic patient, however, its continued application should be questioned.