Impact of changes in waist-to-hip ratio after kidney transplantation on cardiovascular outcomes

Recently, waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been reported to be a better indicator of predicting cardiovascular outcomes than body mass index (BMI). We evaluated the effects of pre or post-transplant changes of WHR or BMI on the new onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in recipients of kidney transplantation (KT). A total of 572 patients were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort (KNOW-KT). Measurement of WHR and BMI was done at pre-KT, first and last visit year after KT, and the changes of these parameters and their effect on the incident CVD were analyzed. During the median follow up period of 32.73 +/- 15.26 months, the new onset CVD developed in 31 out of 572 patients. The older age, diabetes mellitus and increase of WHR from pre KT or previous follow up year were found to be independent factors predicting the new onset CVD in these patients. However, baseline BMI, WHR prior to KT did not predict the incident CVD. The new metabolic burden, presented as increase of WHR in KT patients has a critical impact on the development of new onset CVD. Strategies to prevent the metabolic burden after KT might improve cardiovascular outcomes and patient's survival.

Automated summary

This study found that an increase in waist to hip ratio (WHR) among kidney transplant recipients can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, especially in older age and diabetes patients. However, baseline body mass index (BMI) did not predict the incidence of new onset CVD in these patients. Strategies to prevent metabolic burden post-transplantation may improve cardiovascular outcomes and patient survival.