Long-Term Body Mass Index Changes Following Kidney Transplantation: Predictors Over a 10-Year Follow-Up

Kidney transplantation (kTx) is the only treatment for chronic kidney disease that allows patients to avoid the need for dialysis. Many factors can contribute to changes in body mass index (BMI). This study evaluates the long-term effects of changes in BMI and the factors contributing to them.

A group of patients with living kidney graft recipients was evaluated, and 109 patients were included. Patients were followed longitudinally and asked to provide follow-up information about their BMIs post-kTx. Changes in BMI and achievement of a normal BMI value were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression, with age, smoking, diabetes, and immunosuppression included as covariates. The results were analyzed statistically.

The mean increase in BMI was +1.57 kg/m² (P < .001), with the largest increase in patients younger than 30 years (+2.45 kg/m²) and the smallest in patients over 60 years (+0.92 kg/m², P = .028). The main factor contributing to the increase in BMI was younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-0.98, P = .008). Smoking was associated with a lower probability of achieving normal BMI (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38-0.95, P = .032), as well as diabetes (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.30-0.89, P = .019).

Younger patients were found to be susceptible to BMI increase. These findings highlight the need for age-specific strategies to prevent excessive weight gain following kTx.