title: Optimal body mass index that can predict long-term graft outcome in Asian renal transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited data concerning the impact of recipient body mass index (BMI) on graft outcome in Asian renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study is to identify whether obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m(2)) and overweight (BMI > or =23 kg/m(2)) can predict graft outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a single-centre retrospective study. All patients who received kidney transplantation between 1997 and 2005 were recruited. Patients were categorized according to two different designated BMI cut-off values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-one patients were recruited with a median follow-up duration of 73 months. If a BMI cut-off value of 25 kg/m(2) was used, 86.3% patients were classified as non-obese and 13.7% as obese. Obesity was significantly associated with poor renal graft function and decreased patient and graft survival. On the other hand, 34.3% patients were classified as overweight and 65.7% patients as normal if a BMI cut-off value of 23 kg/m(2) was used. Overweight was significantly associated with a lower glomerular filtration rate only. Cox regression analysis showed that obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 3.09), acute rejection (OR = 5.68), pre-transplant diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.21) and age of recipient (OR = 1.06) were all significant independent risk factors associated with graft failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recipient BMI > or =25 kg/m(2) is a significant predictive factor for long-term renal graft outcome in the Asian population.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China. simoncycheung@gmail.com
authors.forename: Chi Yuen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Yiu Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hoi Wong
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ka Foon
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Chun Sang
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome