Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in kidney transplantation

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an important cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of MS in an Italian kidney transplant recipient population and its relationship to the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after renal transplantation.

The prevalence of MS was evaluated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria among adult recipients who underwent a renal transplant between January 1997 and December 2007. In this period, we prospectively recorded the incidence of MACE to be related to the presence of MS.

We included 425 kidney transplant recipients in the study including 62% males and an overall median age 46 years (interquartile range=36-54). The prevalence of MS was 41.2% at 6 months after transplantation and 46.6% at 5 years. During the follow-up (median=5.1 years), 32 patients (7.5%) experienced at least one MACE. The detection of MS at 6 months after transplantation was significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE occurrence (MS IRR=2.2 P=.05).

Our findings indicated that MS was largely present in the transplant population confirming that as in the general population, it was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of severe cardiovascular disease. Early identification and treatment of patients with MS may improve long-term patient survival.