[Bone mineral density in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism undergoing surgery: relationship with bone parameters]

Study of weight and body mass index on graft loss after transplant over 5 years of evolution

Patients frequently experience a weight gain after organ transplantation. This increase in weight is the result of multiple factors, and is usually intensified by glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs. It can also delay graft function and cause serious health problems. The objective of this study was to study the obesity as well as its causes and consequences in kidney transplant patients. The sample population consisted of 282 renal transplant patients, 170 men and 112 women, 18-74 years of age, who were monitored over a period of five years. For the purposes of our research, the patients were divided into two groups: (1) normal weight 18.5 ≤ BMI <25; (2) overweight 25 ≤ BMI ≤30. The association between BMI as an independent variable and graft survival was determined by means of a Cox regression analysis. Overweight patients were characterized by a higher comorbidity prevalence. In the Cox multivariate analysis, the initial BMI, evaluated as a continuous variable continued to be an independent predictor of delayed graft function and chronic nephropathy. This study evaluated the BMI as a continuous value instead of a categorical value. In conclusion, our results suggest that an increase in BMI without categorical variation can be an independent risk factor for graft loss. Consequently, obesity prevention for renal transplant patients should include dietary counseling and management, moderate physical activity, and steroid minimization.

[Effect of cinacalcet on parathyroid hormone level in hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism of patients with renal transplantation]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cinacalcet reduces parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in uremic hyperparathyroidism (HPT), and in renal transplantation it is useful in the management of HPT with hypercalcemia. Our main aim is to evaluate if cinacalcet administered once daily, reduces and maintains reduced PTH levels for 24 hours in renal transplant recipients with HPT and hypercalcemia.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We studied PTH levels and other bone biomarkers in two groups of renal transplant recipients: one with HPT and hypercalcemia (Group 1), another without alteration of mineral metabolism (Group 2), and a third group of healthy volunteers (Group 3): 35 subjets. Group 1 received a single dose of 60 mg of cinacalcet at 9 am. In all the groups we withdrew blood samples at 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19 hours (day 1) and 9 am the following day (day 2), determining levels of PTH and bone biomarkers.

RESULTS

In Group 1, basal PTH levels decreased shortly after dispensing cinacalcet (basal PTH level 237 [86.7] versus 10 hour level 113 [54.7] p<0.05), objectifying a progressive increase to a similar level to baseline after 24 hours of the administration (day 2 9h PTH level 241 [117.4] ns). In Group 2, comparisons among PTH mean levels were not different at any time. In Group 3, the mean baseline PTH level was higher than that observed at 10h (47 [22.7] versus 28 [11.2] p<0.05) and other comparisons were not significant. Beta-ctx was higher at baseline in the three groups in comparison with levels at 11, 12, 13 and 19 hour, and similar to that at 10 am on day 1 and 9 am on day 2. With respect to other bone biomarkers, no differences were observed.

CONCLUSION

Cinacalcet administered once daily reduces PTH in renal transplant recipients with HPT and hypercalcemia, without holding it for 24 hours.