Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity after liver transplantation: retrospective study at three years after transplantation

Abstract

Weight gain is frequently observed among liver transplanted patients. This condition is often associated to the development of other post LT morbidities which might influence the long-term post-transplant survival. However, the risk factors asso- ciated have not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of over- weight and obesity, to notice Body Mass Index changes and associated risk factors, within three years after LT. All the patients consecutively transplanted at the Liver Transplantation Unit of Fondazione IRCCS "Cà-Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico", Milan between January 2005 and June 2014 were retrospectively evaluated for inclusion. Clinical, Biochemical and pharmaco- logical data were collected at hospital discharge and at 1st,2nd and 3rd years post-LT. 145 patients, 95(66%) male, 53 years (44-59 yr), 48(33%) HBV+HDV positive and 30(21%)alcohol abusers pre LT, were enrolled. At hospital discharge patients' BMI was 21.9 Kg/m2 (IQR: 20.1-24.1 Kg/m2) and the prevalence of overweight was 14%. The same para- meters after 1,2 and 3 years of follow-up were 25.6 Kg/m2 and 40%, 25.5 Kg/m2 and 41%, 25.4 Kg/m2 and 37%. The main weight gain was 9.8 Kg during the 1st year after LT while only 0.9 Kg and 0.5 Kg during the 2nd and 3rd year, respectively, No correlation between weight gain and any clinical, biochemical and pharmacological parameters considered was observed. The weight gain and the development of obesity are predominant during the first year after LT; this is probably due to an improper diet and lack of physical activity.