Metabolic Risk Profile and Graft Function Deterioration 2 Years After Kidney Transplant

Studies exploring the association of body weight and metabolic status with graft function deterioration (GFD) after kidney transplantation have produced inconsistent findings. Few studies have examined whether metabolically healthy overweight or obesity (MHO) may contribute to GFD.

To evaluate associations of overweight or obesity and metabolic disorders with GFD in recipients of kidney transplant.

This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, with a follow-up period of 2 years after kidney transplantation. Participants included adult recipients of cadaveric kidney transplant in 4 transplantation centers in China. Participants were classified as 4 metabolic phenotypes according to their BMI and metabolic status. Data were analyzed from July to August 2023.

Overweight and obesity were characterized by body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 24 or greater. Metabolic disorder was identified by existence of a minimum of 2 of 4 conditions: hypertension, hyperglycemia, increased triglyceride, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The main outcome was GFD, defined as a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 25% within 6 months to 2 years after transplant.

A total of 1260 adult recipients of cadaveric kidney transplant (mean [SD] age, 43.97 [11.51] years; 755 [59.92%] male) were included in the study, and 127 (10.08%) participants experienced the primary outcome of GFD during follow-up. After accounting for confounding factors in multivariable analyses, overweight or obesity (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10-2.44; P = .02) and metabolic disorder (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.12-2.63; P = .01) were associated with increased risk of GFD. The MHO subgroup exhibited a greater risk for GFD (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.01-5.57; P = .048) compared with participants who did not have overweight or obesity or metabolic disorder. All components of metabolic disorder, with the exception of elevated triglyceride, were associated with GFD. There was a dose-response association of number of metabolic disorder components (OR per 1 additional condition, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20-1.63; P < .001) and BMI (OR per 1-unit increase, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.03-1.15; P = .002) with increased risk for GFD. A nonlinear association was observed between BMI and risk of GFD.

In this cohort study of recipients of cadaveric kidney transplant, individuals with overweight or obesity or metabolic disorder had a significantly higher risk of experiencing GFD. Individuals with MHO had an elevated risk for graft function deterioration. Additional studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are necessary to validate our findings.