Obesity does not portend a bad outcome for kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Background. Kidney transplant programs may avoid transplantation in obese patients because of reports indicating that obese patients have poorer outcomes than do nonobese patients. We recently reviewed our experience. Methods. Patients receiving a kidney transplant between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999 were divided according to body mass index (BMI): Group 1, BMI<25 (n=457); group 2, BMI≥25 and <30 (n=278); and group 3, BMI≥35 (n=98). Results. Cadaveric graft survival rates at 2 years were 85% for group 1, 88% for group 2, and 85% for group 3 (P>0.10). Cadaveric patient survival rates at 2 years were 92% for group 1, 91% for group 2, and 94% for group 3 (P>0.10). There were no differences in technical losses or in posttransplantation wound complications. Group 3 patients, however, did have a higher incidence of steroid-induced posttransplantation diabetes mellitus than the other two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion. Obese transplant recipients have similar outcomes to nonobese patients.