Physical activity and renal function in the Italian kidney transplant population

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) benefits are not well-defined for long-term kidney transplant outcomes.
• This study investigates the 10-year impact of PA on graft function in Italian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the long-term effect of physical activity on kidney graft function in KTRs.
• To identify factors associated with physical activity levels in KTRs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Italian Transplant-Information-System (2002 onwards).
• Defined 'penchant for PA' as ≥30 minutes, 5 times/week, added in 2015.
• Employed mixed-effect regression models and propensity score matching for analysis over a 10-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Physical activity information was available for 6,055 KTRs (51.6% active).
• Lower PA was associated with overweight/obesity, longer dialysis vintage, and older age at transplant; males were more active.
• Active KTRs demonstrated a slower eGFR decline and preserved graft function over 10 years.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity is more prevalent in younger, male KTRs.
• Active KTRs exhibit higher eGFR and better kidney function preservation up to 10 years post-transplant.