Posttransplant diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious and common complication following solid organ transplantation. Posttransplant DM has been reported to occur in 4% to 40% of renal transplant recipients. The real incidence of posttransplant DM after kidney transplantation is difficult to establish because different classification systems and definitions have been employed over the years. Kidney transplant recipients who develop posttransplant DM have variably been reported to be at increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and other adverse outcome including infection, reduced patient survival, graft rejection and accelerated graft loss compared with those who do not develop diabetes. Early diagnosis and the administration of specific antihyperglycemic therapy is mandatory to reach a tight glycemic control, which contributes to significantly reduced posttransplant mortality and morbidity. The following article presents an overview of the literature on the current diagnostic criteria for posttransplant DM, its prevalence after solid organ transplantation, potential pathogenic mechanisms, suggested risk factors and current treatment methods.