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Value of pancreas transplants for most diabetic patients questioned in Lancet editorial
- Article from:
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Transplant News
- Article date:
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April 24, 1998
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 1998 Transplant Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Pancreas transplantation, with or without a kidney transplant, offers persons with diabetes freedom from daily insulin injections. But according to a commentary in the April 11 issue of The Lancet, for most diabetic patients, even those with incipient complications, standard medical therapy is safer than transplantation.
As of mid-1997, over 8,500 pancreas transplants had been done worldwide--over 1,000 annually in the US. Approximately 90% are performed in conjunction with kidney transplants and have an 80-87% 1-year graft survival (at major transplant centers). Patient survival exceeds 95% at 1 year, quality of life is enhanced by freedom from the rigors of insulin and ...