Renal Transplantation in Obese Patients: Experience in an Argentine Center

Possible complications of renal transplants in obese patients have raised concerns among nephrologists. We describe the outcomes of 110 renal transplant patients according to body mass index (BMI). Recipient BMI was calculated by using height and weight at time of transplantation and categorized according to World Health Organization guidelines. The patients' BMI values were as follows: underweight, n = 8 (7.27%); normal weight, n = 55 (50%); overweight, n = 30 (27.27%); and obese, n = 17(15.45%). Mean age was significantly different among groups: underweight, 27.62 +/- 7.57 years; normal weight, 44.98 +/- 15.55 years; overweight, 50.53 +/- 13.90 years; and obese, 52.11 +/- 10.41 years (P<.05). Donor age and mean time of dialysis treatment were comparable in all groups. Underweight patients had a significantly larger proportion of living donors than those with higher BMIs. Calculated glomerular filtration rate (using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation) were significantly different among the groups at 30, 60, and 90 days' posttransplantation. At 180 days, however, it was comparable: underweight, 62.96 +/- 40.77 mL/min/1.73 m(2); normal weight, 53.55 +/- 26.23 mL/min/1.73 m(2); overweight, 47.52 +/- 16.37 mL/min/1.73 m(2); and obese, 46.19 +/- 17.56 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P=.34). Incidence of delayed graft function was as follows: underweight, 0%; normal weight, 30.4%; overweight, 53.3%; and obese, 64.1% (P<.05). The incidence of surgical complications, incidence of rejection within the first 6 months' posttransplantation, and graft and patient survival rates over 6 months did not differ among the groups. Because transplantation in obese patients may be associated with higher risks and costs, the evaluation of each center experience is imperative. Longer term assessments are warranted, but our short-term results show that outcomes in overweight or obese renal transplant patients are comparable to those in patients with lower BMI.