Progression of alterations in lipid metabolism in kidney transplant recipients over 5 years of follow-up

Abstract

Background: Alterations in lipid metabolism frequently affect kidney transplant recipients and contribute to the onset of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases that threaten graft integrity. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the pattern of hyperlipidaemia and its progression, as well as to study potential risk factors in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: In this study, 119 kidney transplant recipients of both sexes were monitored over a period of 5 years in our posttransplant clinic. During this period, all patients had pretransplant and posttransplant blood tests to measure levels of the following: total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides. Furthermore, the subjects were also weighed and their height measured. Their body mass index was then calculated using the weight (kg)/height (m2) formula. Results: In the 5 years following the transplant, the patients experienced a significant increase in the levels of their biochemical markers as well as in their BMI. Consequently, a greater number suffered from dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension. Conclusions: Kidney transplants can often trigger hyperlipidaemia, as reflected in higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins. The results of our study also showed that despite statin therapy, the patients had higher triglyceride levels, which made them more vulnerable to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and graft rejection.