Increased Risk of Adverse Outcomes Post-Kidney Transplant Linked to BMI-BSA Obesity

A recent study has revealed a correlation between combined body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) obesity and an elevated risk of adverse outcomes following kidney transplantation (KT). This research, published in the journal Transplantation Direct, underscores the importance of considering combined obesity metrics in assessing transplant candidates.

The study, conducted by researchers from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, focused on a large cohort of adult kidney transplant recipients across the United States. Out of a total of 242,432 patients analyzed, 32% were classified as obese based on BMI, while 28.6% were categorized as obese according to BSA criteria.

The findings indicate that patients exhibiting obesity as defined by both BMI and BSA metrics face a significantly heightened risk for various adverse outcomes, including death-censored graft loss, all-cause graft loss, and delayed graft function. Specifically, the adjusted hazard ratios for these outcomes were found to be 1.23, 1.09, and 1.58, respectively, when both BMI and BSA indicated obesity. Notably, this risk was substantially greater compared to individuals who were not classified as obese by either metric.

Furthermore, the study highlights that individuals whose obesity classification differs between BMI and BSA metrics experience a significantly lower risk than those deemed obese by both measures. The authors emphasize that this combined approach to defining obesity should be integral when evaluating obesity-related risks at the time of kidney transplantation.

With obesity being a growing concern in the transplant community, these findings could lead to more tailored pre-transplant evaluations and management strategies for candidates. By integrating combined BMI and BSA definitions into clinical practice, healthcare providers may enhance patient outcomes and improve overall transplant success rates.

For further details, refer to the original study: Combined Body Mass Index and Body Surface Area to Predict Post Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Patients With Obesity. DOI: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001807.