Post-transplant diabetes mellitus in liver transplantation: Hangzhou experience.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent and serious complication in patients with liver diseases. We aimed to assess the prevalence and consequences of post-transplant DM (PTDM) in Chinese patients with HBV-related liver diseases and to determine the possible risk factors.


METHODS
Altogether 165 patients with HBV infection and undergoing cadaveric related liver transplantation (LT) were enrolled. The clinical data of patients with (PTDM group) and without PTDM (non-PTDM group) were compared.


RESULTS
Of the 165 patients, 28 had DM and 12 had impaired fasting glucose (IFG) before LT. Patients with pre-transplant DM or IFG had a survival rate similar to that of the others. Forty patients (24.2%) developed PTDM with a mean time of 36+/-17 days (range 2-300 days) after LT. Of those, 32 developed PTDM within 3 months post-LT and 29 needed insulin treatment. Pre-transplant hepatic encephalopathy and tacrolimus application were found more frequently in the PTDM group than in the non-PTDM group. The plasma tacrolimus levels were notably higher at 1 and 3 months post-LT in the PTDM group than those in the non-PTDM group. Compared to the non-PTDM group, the PTDM group showed remarkably poorer survival and tumor-free survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and significantly higher incidence of sepsis, fungal infection, chronic kidney diseases and biliary complications after LT.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-transplant DM did not affect the patient survival after LT. Since PTDM is common, it has a negative impact on outcome and may contribute to tumor recurrence. Pre-transplant hepatic encephalopathy, a tacrolimus-based regimen, and high levels of tacrolimus are clearly associated with the occurrence of PTDM.
Xu
Xiao
X
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Ling
Qi
Q
He
Zeng-Lei
ZL
Gao
Feng
F
Zheng
Shu-Sen
SS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000150:complications; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007328:Insulin; D016559:Tacrolimus