The effect of calcineurin inhibitors on anthropometric measurements in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the effect of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), cyclosporine (CsA), and tacrolimus (Tac) on anthropometrics in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: 111 of 128 adult kidney transplant recipients who received post-transplant CNIs were included in this retrospective study. Anthropometrics were recorded in the pre-transplant and post-transplant 4-year follow-up periods (1(st), 3(rd), 6(th), 12(th), 24(th), 36(th) and 48(th) months). RESULTS: Compared to pre-transplant values, significant increases in body weight and body mass index (between 3(rd) and 48(th) months), waist and hip circumferences (between 1(st) and 48(th) months), waist-to-hip ratio (between 1(st) and 3(rd) or 6(th) months) and neck circumference (between 1(st) and 12(th) or 24(th) months) were observed in both CsA and Tac groups. A significant increase was noted in post-transplant body fat percentage values for the 3(rd) to 24(th) months in the CsA group, whereas for the 24(th) to 48(th) months in both CsA and Tac groups. Hip circumferences percentage changes from the pre-transplant period to the 1(st), 12(th) and 24(th) months were significantly higher in CsA than in the Tac group. At each time point, there was no significant difference in percentage changes for other anthropometric parameters between the CsA and Tac groups. De novo diabetes mellitus developed in 8.3% of the CsA group and 19.1% of the Tac group. CONCLUSIONS: After a successful kidney transplant, anthropometric measurements increase in most recipients. Although the effect of calcineurin inhibitor type on weight gain is unclear, a regression analysis showed that CNI type was not a risk factor for the development of obesity in the 48(th) month. However, it is helpful to be cautious about its dyslipidemic effect in patients using CsA and the potential hazards of using Tac in patients with a diabetic predisposition.