Post-Tx Weight Changes May Increase Death Risk

Transplantation. 2008;85:1443-1448

Patient weight changes after renal transplantation may be a marker for poor survival, data suggest.

In a study of renal transplant recipients, Sean H. Chang, MD, and Stephen P. McDonald, MD, of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, South Australia, found that weight loss of more than 5% in year 1 and year 2 was associated with an adjusted 64% and twofold increased death risk, respectively.

Weight gain of 20% or more in year 1 and 10% or more in year 2 were associated with an adjusted 78% and 67% increased death risk.

The researchers based their findings on an analysis of data from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry.         

From the July 01, 2008 Issue of Renal and Urology News