ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this research was to analyse the effects of overweight and obesity in relation to markers of chronic graft dysfunction (ie dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and proteinuria), and study their impact on the quality of life of kidney graft recipients in the first-year after transplantation.
Material and methods: This study monitored 1500 kidney transplant recipients of both sexes. One-year after receiving the graft, all patients had blood tests to measure their biochemical parameters. They were also weighed and their height measured. In addition, data regarding graft loss and delayed renal function were also evaluated.
Results: The results showed an increased prevalence of overweight and high body mass index (BMI) among the graft recipients participating in the study. Furthermore, there was a direct relation between these parameters and those of health status perception, graft rejection and reduced renal function.
Conclusion: A high BMI as well as proteinuria and high blood pressure in the first-year after transplantation can lead to chronic graft dysfunction and significantly reduce the quality of life of the patient. Renal dysfunction markers along with obesity and a high BMI contributed to a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and ensuing complications in the first-year after transplantation. This affected the quality of life of these patients who, as a result, suffered from chronic kidney disease. Consequently, their physical condition was negatively affected, which increased rates of morbidity and mortality.
Manuscripts that are Published Ahead of Print have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the West Indian Medical Journal. They may appear in their original format and may not be copy edited or formatted in the style guide of this Journal. While accepted manuscripts are not yet assigned a volume, issue or page numbers, they can be cited using the DOI and date of e-publication. See our Instructions for Authors on how to properly cite manuscripts at this stage. The contents of the manuscript may change before it is published in its final form. Manuscripts in this section will be removed once they have been issued to a volume and issue, but will still retain the DOI and date of e-publication.
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
