Prevalence and Risk Factors of New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation (NODAT)

New Onset Diabetes After Organ Transplantation: Risk Factors, Treatment, and Consequences

New onset diabetes mellitus after organ transplantation (NODAT) is a frequent and serious complication of solid organ transplantation. It significantly impacts graft function, patient survival, and quality of life. NODAT is diagnosed based on the criteria for type 2 diabetes, with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) serving as the gold standard for diagnosis. The development of NODAT is influenced by a range of risk factors, which are classified into modifiable and non-modifiable categories. Post-transplant, regular glycemic monitoring at specific intervals is essential for timely diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Early intervention can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes-related complications. The treatment strategy for NODAT involves lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions. These include medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, glinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and insulin. Adjusting immunosuppressive therapy-either by reducing dosages or substituting drugs with lower diabetogenic potential-is a common preventative and therapeutic measure. However, this must be performed cautiously to avoid acute graft rejection, which poses a greater risk to the patient compared to NODAT itself. In addition to managing diabetes, addressing comorbidities such as hypertension and dyslipidemia is crucial, as they elevate the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Patients with NODAT are also prone to developing common diabetes-related complications, including diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral vascular disease. Therefore, regular follow-ups and appropriate treatment are vital to maintaining quality of life and improving long-term outcomes.

Perioperative glucose monitoring with continuous glucose monitors identifies risk factors for post-transplant diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant recipients

Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) negatively affects graft and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). This prospective study used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to evaluate perioperative blood glucose dynamics, identify PTDM risk factors, and compare predictive accuracy with capillary blood glucose monitoring (CBGM) in 60 non-diabetic living-donor KT recipients. Patients underwent 2-week pre- and postoperative CGM, including routine CBGM during their in-hospital stays. PTDM-related risk factors and glucose profiles were analyzed with postoperative CGM and CBG. PTDM developed in 14 (23.3%) patients and was associated with older age, male sex, higher baseline HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 3-month cumulative tacrolimus exposure levels. Male sex and postoperative time above the range (TAR) of 180 mg/dL by CGM were PTDM-related risk factors in the multivariate analysis. For predictive power, the CGM model with postoperative glucose profiles exhibited higher accuracy compared with the CBGM model (areas under the curves of 0.916, and 0.865, respectively). Therefore, we found that male patients with a higher postoperative TAR of 180 mg/dL have an increased risk of PTDM. Postoperative CGM provides detailed glucose dynamics and demonstrates superior predictive potential for PTDM than CBGM.

Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Transplantation: An Underestimated Risk Factor?

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a multifactorial condition that increases the risk of cardio-vascular events, is frequent in Heart-transplant (HTx) candidates and worsens with immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of MetS on long-term outcome of HTx patients. Since 2007, 349 HTx patients were enrolled. MetS was diagnosed if patients met revised NCEP-ATP III criteria before HTx, at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow-up. MetS was present in 35% of patients pre-HTx and 47% at 1 year follow-up. Five-year survival in patients with both pre-HTx (65% vs. 78%, p < 0.01) and 1 year follow-up MetS (78% vs 89%, p < 0.01) was worst. At the univariate analysis, risk factors for mortality were pre-HTx MetS (HR 1.86, p < 0.01), hypertension (HR 2.46, p < 0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.50, p=0.03), chronic renal failure (HR 2.95, p < 0.01), MetS and diabetes at 1 year follow-up (HR 2.00, p < 0.01; HR 2.02, p < 0.01, respectively). MetS at 1 year follow-up determined a higher risk to develop Coronary allograft vasculopathy at 5 and 10 year follow-up (25% vs 14% and 44% vs 25%, p < 0.01). MetS is an important risk factor for both mortality and morbidity post-HTx, suggesting the need for a strict monitoring of metabolic disorders with a careful nutritional follow-up in HTx patients.

Early post-transplant hyperglycemia and post-transplant diabetes mellitus following heart transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Heart transplantation is an important treatment for end-stage heart failure. Early post-transplant hyperglycemia (EPTH) and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) are common following heart transplantation and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of EPTH and PTDM in cardiac transplant patients, incorporating findings from non-cardiac solid organ transplant studies where relevant due to limited heart-specific research.

EXPERT OPINION

EPTH following heart transplantation is common yet understudied and is associated with the later development of PTDM. PTDM is associated with adverse outcomes including infection, renal dysfunction, microvascular disease, and an increased risk of re-transplantation and mortality. Risk factors for EPTH include the post-operative immunosuppression regimen, recipient and donor age, body mass index, infections, and chronic inflammation. Early insulin treatment is recommended for EPTH, whereas PTDM management is varied and includes lifestyle modification, anti-glycemic agents, and insulin. Given the emerging evidence on the transplant benefits associated with effective glucose control, and the cardioprotective potential of newer anti-glycemic agents, further focus on the management of EPTH and PTDM within heart transplant recipients is imperative.

The results of SGLT-2 inhibitors use in kidney transplantation: 1-year experiences from two centers

PURPOSE

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) administration is associated with some concerns in regard to the increased risk of genital and urinary tract infections (UTI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). In this study, we present the results of SGLT-2i use in KTR, including the early post-transplant period.

METHODS

Participants were divided into two groups: SGLT-2i-free diabetic KTR (Group 1, n = 21) and diabetic KTR using SGLT-2i (Group 2, n = 36). Group 2 was further divided into two subgroups according to the posttransplant prescription day of SGLT-2i; < 3 months (Group 2a) and ≥ 3 months (Group 2b). Groups were compared for development of genital and urinary tract infections, glycated hemoglobin a1c (HgbA1c), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, weight change, and acute rejection rate during 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Urinary tract infections prevalence was 21.1% and UTI-related hospitalization rate was 10.5% in our cohort. Prevalence of UTI and UTI-related hospitalization, eGFR, HgbA1c levels, and weight gain were similar between the SGLT-2i group and SGLT-2i-free group, at the 12-month follow-up. UTI prevalence was similar between groups 2a and 2b (p = 0.871). No case of genital infection was recorded. Significant proteinuria reduction was observed in Group 2 (p = 0.008). Acute rejection rate was higher in the SGLT-2i-free group (p = 0.040) and had an impact on 12-month follow-up eGFR (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

SGLT-2i in KTR is not associated with an increased risk of genital infection and UTI in diabetic KTR, even in the early posttransplant period. The use of SGLT-2i reduces proteinuria in KTR and has no adverse effects on allograft function at the 12-month follow-up.

The effect of PINK1/Parkin pathway on glucose homeostasis imbalance induced by tacrolimus in mouse livers

Treatment using the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus (TAC) is related to new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). Previous studies focused mainly on islet β cells in the diabetogenic effect of TAC. Herein, we revealed that NODAT was probably induced by TAC via hepatic insulin resistance. After daily injection of mice with TAC, a glucose metabolism disorder was induced. In addition, TAC decreased the mRNA and protein levels of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2), glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2), and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B beta (pAKT2), which indicated impaired hepatic insulin signaling. Furthermore, the PTEN-induced novel kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin pathway was shown to have a key role in the TAC-induced imbalance of hepatic glucose homeostasis. Mechanistic investigations in human hepatic cell lines revealed that TAC stimulated PINK1/Parkin expression and inhibited the expression of insulin signaling related molecules (e.g., IRS2, GLUT2 and pAKT2). Knockdown of hepatic PINK1 regulated downstream molecules of the PINK1/Parkin pathway (GLUT2 and IRS2), which reversed TAC-induced insulin resistance. Thus, in the liver, PINK1/Parkin signaling plays an important role in the TAC-induced imbalance of glucose homeostasis. TAC-induced diabetes might be prevented using Targeted treatment.

Dyslipidemia in Renal Transplant Recipients

Dyslipidemia is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation (KT) and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are considered at high, or very high, risk of CVD, which is a leading cause of death in this patient group. Despite many factors of post-transplant dyslipidemia, the immunosuppressive treatment has the biggest influence on a lipid profile. There are no strict dyslipidemia treatment guidelines for RTRs, but the ones proposing an individual approach regarding CVD risk seem most suitable. Proper diet and physical activity are the main general measures to manage dyslipidemia and should be introduced initially in every patient after KT. In the case of an insufficient correction of lipemia, statins are the basis for hypolipidemic treatment. Statins should be introduced with caution to avoid serious side-effects (e.g., myopathy) or drug-drug interactions, especially with immunosuppressants. To lower the incidence of adverse effects, and improve medication adherence, ezetimibe in combination with statins is recommended. Fibrates and bile sequestrants are not recommended due to their side-effects and variable efficacy. However, several new lipid-lowering drugs like Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may have promising effects in RTRs, but further research assessing efficacy and safety is yet to be carried out.

Weight Gain After Heart Transplantation in Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gain in weight is common after heart transplantation but the magnitude of usual weight gain and whether this varies by country is unknown. We systematically reviewed all relevant studies to quantify weight change among heart transplant recipients (HTRs) in the years after transplantation and assess variation with geographic location. We searched PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Excerpta Medica Database databases to September 2020. Eligible studies reported adult HTRs' mean/median weight and/or body mass index (BMI) up to time of transplantation (baseline) and posttransplantation in any language. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of weight/BMI from baseline to posttransplantation were estimated using a random-effects model. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis showed weight gain of 7.1 kg (95% CI, 4.4-9.8 kg) in HTRs 12 months posttransplant, with corresponding BMI increase of 1.69 kg/m2 (95% CI, 0.83-2.55 kg/m2). Greatest weight gain at 12 months posttransplant occurred in US HTRs (WMD weight 10.42 kg, BMI 3.25 kg/m2) and least, in European HTRs (WMD weight 3.10 kg, BMI 0.78 kg/m2). In conclusion, HTRs gain substantial weight in the years after transplantation, but varying widely by geographic location.