Pre-transplant predictors of one year weight gain after kidney transplantation

Authors

• AK Cashion
• DK Hathaway
• A Stanfill
• F Thomas
• JD Ziebarth
• Y Cui
• PA Cowan
• J Eason

Abstract

Weight gain following kidney transplantation is an epidemic in the United States and worldwide with kidney transplant recipients experiencing an average weight gain between 5 and 10 kg (kg), which is linked to decreased patient and graft survival. Clinically useful predictors of weight gain could be used to reduce post-kidney transplant obesity and resulting comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of weight gain at 12 months following kidney transplant in a cohort of 96 recipients. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and environmental data were obtained at transplant and 12 months. Descriptive, correlational, and Bayesian network analysis were used to identify predictors. Results: For the 52 (55.9%) recipients who gained weight, the average amount gained was 9.18 + 6.59 kg, with significant increase in trunk and whole body fat mass. There was little variation in physical activity between timepoints or among subjects. From the 15 baseline factors that met inclusion criteria, Bayesian network modeling identified four baseline predictors for weight gain: younger age, higher carbohydrate consumption, higher trunk fat percentage, and higher perception of mental health quality of life. Conclusions: Given the complex challenges that transplant recipients face, use of an individualized approach to modify the three baseline predictors could be done through either pre- or immediate post-transplant clinical intervention programs. In addition, further exploration of biomarkers to identify at risk groups is needed.

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021