Obesity in Renal Transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation
• Public Health

Background:

• Global rise in overweight and obesity rates observed.
• Obesity increasingly affects end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and kidney transplant (KT) candidates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of obesity on KT access and outcomes.
• To examine weight reduction strategies and their consequences.
• To assess short- and long-term outcomes in obese KT recipients and implications for living donor KT.

Main Methods:

• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were prioritized.
• Randomized clinical trials were included.
• Observational studies were used when higher-level evidence was unavailable.
• Searches conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to November 30, 2020.

Main Results:

• Obesity is a risk factor for poorer outcomes post-KT.
• Despite risks, KT recipients demonstrate improved survival compared to those on dialysis.
• Weight variations impact both short- and long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Public health campaigns are needed to raise awareness among KT candidates.
• Emphasis on self-care, exercise, healthy diet, and weight loss is vital.
• Obesity management is critical for optimizing KT outcomes.