The influence of body composition on graft function in patients with transplanted kidney

Introduction/Aim. Patients who undergo kidney transplantation can encounter significant changes in body composition because of weight gain caused by fat mass accumulation and muscle mass loss, resulting in poor graft outcomes. The study aimed to investigate the impact of different obesity parameters on graft function in kidney transplant recipients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 kidney transplant patients aged 25-75 years (40% females). All were on triple immunosuppressive therapy. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences measurements were taken to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using a 4-site skinfold method calculated through the Jackson-Pollock equation utilizing a Cescorf caliper. The patients were divided into two groups depending on their glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results. BMI showed that 16.28% of males and 10% of females were obese. However, according to BF%, as many as 44.68% of males and 72.72% of females were obese. Statistically significant differences in BMI, WHR, and BF% were observed among patients with normal and lower GFR. After adjustment for covariables, lower GFR was related to higher levels of all obesity parameters. The combination of central obesity (WHR>0.85 for women and > 0.9 for men) and higher BF% was associated with lower GFR compared with that in lean subjects (p < 0.001 for both groups). Conclusion. High BF% and WHR may be important risk factors for reducing GFR in kidney transplant recipients.