Effects of hyperglycemia on the development of new-onset diabetes after liver transplantation.

CONTEXT

New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) has been associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic complications, acute rejection, and infection in transplant recipients. NODAT in kidney transplantation is well described; however, data are lacking in liver transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence of new-onset diabetes within 6 months postoperatively in adult liver transplant recipients. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients who underwent a liver transplantation at our institution between January 2004 and December 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. NODAT was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association/World Health Organization, persistent hyperglycemia (serum glucose > or = 200 mg/dL occurring 2 weeks after initial steroid induction and persisting for more than 2 weeks), or the need for hypoglycemic agents upon discharge.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Incidence of NODAT within 6 months after transplantation in patients with poor glycemic control within the first 2 weeks after transplantation, acute rejection episodes, infections, hospital readmissions, and cardiovascular and thrombotic events.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were evaluated. Within the first 6 months after transplantation, NODAT developed in 11 (24%). Acute rejection, infection, hospital readmissions, cardiovascular events, and thrombotic events did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Elevated fasting levels of blood glucose during the first 2 weeks after liver transplantation may be associated with an increased incidence of NODAT and may have predictive value. More studies are needed to determine the effects of recognition and treatment of hyperglycemia in recent transplant recipients.