Title:Metabolic Complications and Kidney Transplantation: Focus on Glycaemia and Dyslipidaemia
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Author(s): Panagiotis Anagnostis*, Stavroula Α. Paschou, Eleftherios Spartalis, Gerardo Sarno, Paride De Rosa and Giovanna Muscogiuri
Affiliation:
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,Greece
Keywords:
Kidney transplant, post-transplant diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular risk, immunosuppressive therapy,
diabetes.
Abstract: Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and dyslipidaemia are the most common metabolic
complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). They are associated with a higher risk of lower
graft function and survival, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of
this review is to provide current data on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and optimal management of
these two principal metabolic complications in KTR. Several risk factors in this metabolic milieu are
either already present or emerge after renal transplantation, such as those due to immunosuppressive
therapy. However, the exact pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Awareness of these
disorders is crucial to estimate CVD risk in KTR and optimize screening and therapeutic strategies.
These include lifestyle (preferably according to the Mediterranean pattern) and immunosuppressive
regimen modification, as well as the best available anti-diabetic (insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents)
and hypolipidaemic (e.g. statins) regimen according to an individual’s metabolic profile and medical
history.