Cardiovascular risk factors and events in pancreas-kidney transplants

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) are major causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes. Strict control of treatable risk factors that contribute to atherosclerosis is important to reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral arterial disease. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) may significantly improve these risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes. We studied 103 SPKT from our center with both organs functioning for metabolic and hypertensive control; body mass index (BMI); immunosuppression; and CCVD events. The 53 females/50 males showed a mean age of 35 ± 6 years, diabetes for 24 ± 6 years, and on dialysis for 31 ± 23 months. The follow-up ranged from 6-142 months. Mean value of last creatinine clearance was 76 ± 24 mL/min, all 103 SPKT were insulin-independent with mean glycemia = 81 ± 10 mg/dL and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) = 5.3% ± 0.4%. All of them were under tacrolimus treatment; 9.7% also with sirolimus but 67% steroid-free. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel 3 criteria, 4 patients showed a fasting glucose > 100 mg/dL; only one, HbA1c > 5.6%. Hypertension was recorded in 38.5%; low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 19.4%; hypertriglyceridemia in 7.8%; BMI > 30% in only 2 patients; 21.4% were prescribed statins. We registered cardiovascular events in 7 patients (6.8%). Patients with steroid treatment showed higher triglycerides (122 ± 53 vs 90 ± 36 mg/dL; P = .001) and more often tended to be hypertensive (41.2% vs 37.7%, P = .073) compared with those free of these drugs. Hypertension was associated with an higher BMI (24.1 ± 2.8 vs 22.3 ± 2.9 kg/m(2), P = .002). BMI > 25% was associated with higher total cholesterol (195 ± 47 vs 169 ± 28 mg/dL, P = .015) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (116 ± 40 vs 96 ± 27 mg/dL, P = .003). Among our SPKT the prevalences of CCVD and metabolic syndrome were low. Hypertension was the most frequent single factor. Obesity was rare. In patients on steroids, hypertriglyceridemia was more prevalent and hypertension tended to be more frequent. Hypertensive patients showed a higher BMI, which correlated with a worse lipid profile. Steroid withdrawal, whenever possible, may be important to achieve metabolic goals and minimize cardiovascular risk.