''Minimizing tacrolimus'' strategy and long-term survival after liver transplantation

Figure 1 Patient survival curve according to the mean tacrolimus concentration. The survival time of group 1 is obviously shorter than other groups (group 1 vs group 2, 911.3 ± 131.6 d vs 1381.1 ± 66.1 d, P = 0.018; group 1 vs group 3, 911.3 ± 131.6 d vs 1327.3 ± 47.8 d, P = 0.024; group 1 vs group 4, 911.3 ± 131.6 d vs 1343.2 ± 83.1 d, P = 0.067) while the rates in groups 2, 3 and 4 are almost the same (group 2 vs group 3, 1381.1 ± 66.1 d vs 1327.3 ± 47.8 d, P = 0.501; group 2 vs group 4, 1381.1 ± 66.1 d vs 1343.2 ± 83.1 d, P = 0.774; group 3 vs group 4, 1327.3 ± 47.8 d vs 1343.2 ± 83.1 d, P = 0.801). Group 1: Mean tacrolimus concentration is 0-5 ng/mL, Group 2: 5-7 ng/mL, Group 3: 7-10 ng/mL, and Group 4: 10-15 ng/mL.

Figure 2 Patient survival curve according to the standard deviation of tacrolimus concentration. The survival time of group 2 is obviously longer than that of other groups (group 1 vs group 2, 1029.6 ± 131.3 d vs 1388.8 ± 45.4 d, P = 0.032; group 3 vs group 2, 1274.9 ± 57.0 d vs 1388.8 ± 45.4 d, P = 0.044) while in groups 1 and 3, the rates are not statistically different (1029.6 ± 131.3 d vs 1274.9 ± 57.0 d, P = 0.286). Note: Group 1: Standard deviation (SD) of tacrolimus concentration was 0-2 ng/mL, Group 2: 2-4 ng/mL, and Group 3: > 4 ng/mL.

Figure 3 Patient survival curve according to the selected mean tacrolimus concentration and standard deviation. The survival time in group 0 is obviously longer than in group 1 (group 0 vs group 1, 1418.8 ± 44.5 d vs 1275.3 ± 53.7 d, P = 0.043). Note: Group 0: mean tacrolimus concentration (TC) > 5 ng/mL and standard deviation 2-4, Group 1: mean TC > 5 ng/mL and SD < 2 or > 4.