New-onset
diabetes after
transplantation (NODAT) is a growing concern in
transplantation. All modifiable
risk factors are not yet identified. We assessed the relationship between baseline clinical and biochemical
parameters and NODAT. Eight-hundred and fifty-seven in-Caucasian renal
transplant recipients were included.
Charts were individually reviewed. The follow-up was 5.3 years (ranges: 0.25-20.8; 5613
patient-years). The
incidence of NODAT was 15.0%, 18.4% and 22.0%
at 10, 15 and 20 years following
transplantation. Age,
body mass index (BMI),
glucose (all P < 0.0001) and
triglycerides [
hazard ratio (HR) per 1 mmol/l: 1.44 [1.17-1.77], P = 0.0006] were potent
risk factors whereas steroid withdrawal (HR: 0.69 [0.47-1.01], P = 0.0601) reduced the
risk. As compared to
cyclosporine,
sirolimus (HR: 3.26 [1.63-6.49], P = 0.0008) and
tacrolimus (HR: 3.04 [2.02-4.59], P < 0.0001) were
risk factors for NODAT. The
risk of NODAT was comparable for
sirolimus (HR: 2.35 [1.06-5.19], P = 0.0350) and
tacrolimus (HR: 2.34 [1.46-3.75], P = 0.0004) after
adjustments on age, BMI,
glucose and steroid withdrawal; however, unlike
sirolimus,
tacrolimus remained significant after
adjustment on
triglycerides. The
risk of NODAT appeared
similar, but
its pathophysiology seemed different in
sirolimus- and
tacrolimus-treated
patients; this
observation needs confirmation. However, main independent
risk factors were age, BMI, initial
glucose and
triglycerides.