A greater body mass index (BMI) prior to kidney transplantation is associated with a higher risk of developing new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), a study found.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland led by Diane D. Stadler, PhD, RD, LD, studied 204 adult patients who underwent a first renal transplant. The cumulative incidence of NODAT at discharge and 3, 6, and 12 months post-transplant was 14.2%, 19.4%, 20.1%, and 19.4%, respectively, the investigators reported in the Journal of Renal Nutrition (2014;24:116-122). The risk of NODAT by discharge or 3 or 6 months increased by 11%, 13%, and 15%, respectively, per 1-unit increase in BMI.
The need for more aggressive diabetes treatment, suggesting a worsening diabetes status, was most usually observed between discharge and 3 months, the researchers noted. In addition, half of the patients with pre-existing diabetes required more aggressive diabetes treatment post-transplant.
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