Progression of alterations in lipid metabolism in kidney transplant recipients over 5 years of follow-up.
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, low-density 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 (m(2) ) 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.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
R F
RF
Castillo
M D C
MD
García Rios
P
P
Peña Amaro
I
I
García García
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008055:Lipids