Immunosuppression in Renal Transplantation and Dyslipidemia, Which Factors Should Be Considered?

Secondary dyslipidemia is the most common form of lipid metabolism derangement, due to the fact that primitive dyslipidemia represent only 0.5-2% of cases (1). Transplantation is a common cause of dyslipidemia, it has been shown that it defines metabolic syndrome, a common finding in renal transplant recipients (RTR) (2), and statins are within the top 15 drugs used by these patients (3). Moreover the increasing prescription of statins in this population is related to the frequent screening for dyslipidemia in transplanted patients (3). Immunosuppression could cause hypercholesterolemia and Cyclosporine (CsA) is widely used as immunosuppressive drug even if in the recent years physicians prescribe more frequently Tacrolimus than CsA (3). Moreover renal function in RTR is reduced and in many causes they are long-term treated with steroids