Obesity in Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Background: Data from the WHO show an increasing rate of overweight and obesity in general population in the last decades. This increase in obesity also affects population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant (KT) candidates.

Summary: In this review, we focused on how obesity impacts on KT stages: access to KT and outcomes of KT candidates; how to reduce weight and its consequences; short and long-term outcomes in obese recipients and the impact of weight variations; and the implications of obesity in living donor KT. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until November 30, 2020. We selected systematic reviews and meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials. When no such reports were found for a topic, observational studies were included in the assessment. Key Messages: Although obesity is a risk factor to present worst outcomes after KT, several studies have demonstrated a survival benefit compared to patients who continue on dialysis. There is a need for a public health campaign to raise awareness in KT candidates and to highlight the importance of self-care, increasing exercise, healthy diet, and weight loss.

Keywords: Kidney transplantation; Obesity; Review.