BackgroundMuscle strength is often used as an indirect indicator of metabolic health across different age groups in healthy individuals. However, in kidney transplant recipients, this measure may be less accurate due to metabolic changes induced by immunosuppressive medications. AimTo compare muscle strength between kidney transplant recipients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and those without this condition. MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 29 participants (22 men and seven women) aged 18–50 years, having undergone a kidney transplant for over a year and without experiencing graft failure. To determine the presence of MS, the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) was used. Biochemical markers (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and glucose levels) were evaluated through a capillary sample. Muscle strength was assessed through three tests: long jump, elbow flexion, and grip strength. ResultsThe mean age was 36 ± 11.3 years, and the average transplant time was 4.5 ± 2.8 years. The prevalence of MS was 58.6%. Transplant recipients with MS performed less in all tests assessing muscle strength than those without this condition (p < 0.001∗). ConclusionsThe main finding of this research is that kidney transplant patients with MS performed worse in muscle strength tests compared to those without the condition.
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