Ideal BMI has best organ survival in kidney transplant

A new study presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2018 October 23-October 28, sheds light on how obesity can potentially impact health outcomes of the kidney transplant recipients.

The study found that concerning delayed organ function, patients with ideal BMI (18-25) had the lowest risk, and the risk rose with increasing BMI categories; yet there was no difference in patient survival across different BMI groups.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in prospective kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The impact of recipient obesity on long-term outcomes is not clear.

Bhavna Chopra, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., and colleagues conducted the study to evaluate the associations of the recipient body mass index (BMI) with transplant outcomes using a paired-kidney model.

The research team analyzed information from the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 2006 to 2016 concerning recipients at different levels of body mass index (BMI). To minimize the impact of donor variables on transplant outcomes, the team used a paired kidney model in which kidneys from the same deceased donor were transplanted into recipients in different BMI categories.

Key Findings:

• In a study of kidney transplant recipients, those with ideal BMI (18-25) had the best organ survival. There was no difference when comparing BMI 30-35 with >35.


• There were no significant differences in patient survival across different BMI groups.


• The odds of delayed graft function (DGF) were significantly decreased in all BMI groups, compared to BMI>35.

"Our data support a more favorable consideration of obese patients for kidney transplantation and suggest that the use of a BMI cut off between 30 and 40 for waitlisting, while common, is arbitrary and unfounded," said Dr. Chopra. "The resulting increase in access to transplantation for many obese patients will have a significant impact on quality of life and longevity for these patients compared to staying on long-term dialysis."

For further reference log on to:

Study: "Impact of Obesity on Kidney Transplant Outcomes: A Paired-Kidney Analysis"