Data analyses
Normality of variables was determined by Shapiro-Wilkins test. Categorical variables are summarized as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables as means ± standard deviations (SD), or as median with interquarter range when data were skewed. Categorical outcomes were compared using either χ2 and continuous outcomes by Student’s T test or by the Wilcoxon rank-sum nonparametric test. Actuarial survival was studied by the Kaplan Meier method, and log-rank test used in the comparison of study groups. Cox proportional hazard model was constructed in order to account for variables related to post-transplant long-term survival. Hazard ratios with corresponding confidence intervals were determined. The level of significance was determined when the P value was less than 0.05. All analyses were performed using JMP for SAS® (Cary, NC, USA) statistical software version 14.