Overweight in liver transplant recipients

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure, but post-transplant complications require ongoing management.
• Weight gain, including overweight and obesity, is a frequently observed issue in liver transplant recipients.
• Understanding the incidence, prevalence, and consequences of post-transplant weight gain is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity following liver transplantation.
• To identify associated risk factors for weight gain in this population.
• To describe the health consequences linked to post-transplant overweight and obesity.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was performed.
• Databases searched included Medline/PubMed, SciELO, EMBASE, and LILACS.
• Keywords used were: liver transplantation, overweight, obesity, and weight gain.

Main Results:

• Overweight affects over 60% of liver transplant patients; obesity exceeds 20% within the first year post-surgery.
• By the third year, 60-70% of patients are overweight, with 90% exhibiting abdominal obesity.
• Associated factors include advanced age, family history, and pre-transplant weight; immunosuppressive medication's role is debated.

Conclusions:

• Significant overweight and obesity rates are prevalent after liver transplantation.
• Weight gain is associated with serious comorbidities such as steatosis, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
• Further research is needed to clarify the impact of immunosuppressants and develop effective weight management strategies.