Retrospective Cohort Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2025; 16(6): 105069
Published online Jun 15, 2025. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i6.105069
Trends and predictors of diabetes mellitus after living kidney transplantation: A retrospective study
Amil Huseynov, Sevim Nuran Kuşlu Çicek
Amil Huseynov, Department of Transplantation, Istanbul Medicana International, İstanbul 34180, Türkiye
Sevim Nuran Kuşlu Çicek, Department of General Surgery, Biruni University, Istanbul 34180, Türkiye
Author contributions: Huseynov A served as the principal investigator, formulating the study concept, supervising data gathering, conducting the statistical analyses, and drafting the initial manuscript; Kuşlu Çicek SN contributed to data validation, performed the comprehensive literature search, and assisted in refining the manuscript’s content; both authors reviewed and approved the final version and assume collective responsibility for the integrity of the work.
Institutional review board statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the Biruni University Ethics Committee under the approval number 2024-BİAEK/05-17. All procedures were performed in compliance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and in line with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and subsequent amendments.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study. Data collection and analyses were carried out in accordance with established ethical guidelines, ensuring participant confidentiality and the protection of personal information.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement—checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement—checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request at atu-boy@hotmail.com. Any release of data will comply with ethical and institutional guidelines to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of study participants.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Amil Huseynov, Department of Transplantation, Istanbul Medicana International, Beylikduzu, İstanbul 34180, Türkiye. atu-boy@hotmail.com
Received: January 10, 2025
Revised: March 12, 2025
Accepted: April 16, 2025
Published online: June 15, 2025
Processing time: 154 Days and 15.7 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common metabolic adverse event following kidney transplantation, negatively impacting graft function and patient outcomes.

AIM

To evaluate the frequency of PTDM and to determine predictive factors in living donor individuals who have undergone kidney transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1200 living donor kidney transplant recipients treated between 2016 and 2023. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were collected, and PTDM was identified based on American Diabetes Association criteria. Statistical analysis included logistic regression analysis to determine independent predictors of PTDM.

RESULTS

PTDM was diagnosed in 162 patients (13.5%). Risk factors included older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.03, P = 0.03], increased body mass index (OR 1.08, P = 0.02), a genetic predisposition to diabetes (OR 1.95, P = 0.001), and corticosteroid use (OR 1.30, P = 0.04). Most PTDM cases (61.7%) occurred during the initial 6 months after transplant. Tacrolimus-based regimens were more commonly associated with PTDM compared to other protocols. Renal function at 12 months was comparable between PTDM and non-PTDM groups.

CONCLUSION

PTDM remains a significant concern in kidney transplantation, particularly among patients with modifiable risk factors. Optimizing immunosuppressive regimens, implementing early metabolic monitoring, and addressing modifiable risks such as BMI may help reduce PTDM incidence. Additional research is required to evaluate extended-term results and refine preventive strategies.

Keywords: Post-transplant diabetes mellitus; Living donor kidney transplantation; Risk factors; Immunosuppressive therapy; Metabolic complications; Renal outcomes

Core Tip: This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in a large cohort of living donor kidney transplant recipients. The findings highlight the significant role of modifiable risk factors such as body mass index and corticosteroid use, as well as non-modifiable factors like age and family history of diabetes. Early onset PTDM, predominantly within the first 6 months post-transplant, underscores the importance of vigilant metabolic monitoring and tailored immunosuppressive strategies to reduce PTDM risk and improve long-term patient and graft outcomes.