Table 1. Characteristics of randomized and quasi-randomized trials included in the systematic review.

			Tacrolimus concentration(ng/ml)		Cyclosporine concentration(ng/ml)
Trials	Methods	N	0–3 month	1 year	0–3 month	1 year	Anti-proliferative agent	Steroids	Duration of follow-up
Levy 2014 [25]	Multicenter, randomized, open-label study	Tac n = 182 CsA n = 169	NS	NS	NS	NS	MMF/AZA	Not stated detail regimen of steroids OR steroids-free	12 months
Berenguer 2010 [24]	Pseudo-randomized controlled trial	Tac n = 117 CsA n = 136	5–15	3–10	150–350	100–150	MMF	Methyl-prednisolone &prednisone	7 years
Shenoy 2008 [18]	Single-center, prospective, randomized trial	Tac n = 14 CsA n = 18	8–12	5–10	800–1200	600–1000	MMF	Methyl-prednisolone &prednisone	12 months
Villamil 2006 [26]	Multicenter open-label randomized study	Tac n = 48 CsA n = 47	NS	NS	NS	NS	AZA	Not stated the detail of Steriods	34–37 months
Levy 2006 [17]	Multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, prospective study	Tac n = 85 CsA n = 88	5–15	5–10	800–1200	500–700	AZA	Methyl-prednisolone &prednisone	12 months
Martin 2004 [37]	Prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label study	Tac n = 38 CsA n = 41	10–12	5–10	200–250	100–250	AZA	Prednisone	12 months
Zervos 1998 [31]	Randomized, prospective study	Tac n = 25 CsA n = 24	15	NS	300–400	NS	NS	Methyl-prednisolone &prednisone/Prednisone	18 months
Wiesner 1998 [38]	Randomized comparative open-label study	Tac n = 57 CsA n = 56	10–25	10–12	250–400	200–300	AZA	Methyl-prednisolone	5 years
Mueller 1995 [39]	Single-center, prospective, randomized trial	Tac n = 17 CsA n = 18	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	Methyl-prednisolone	12 months

NS = not stated.

MMF = mycophenolate mofetil; AZA = azathioprine.