Diabetic complications associated with new-onset diabetes mellitus in renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Data are scarce regarding the incidence and risk factors for complications of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in renal transplant patients. METHODS: United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data from primary renal transplant recipients during 1995-2001 who developed NODM was used to examine diabetic complications over the first three years posttransplant. Prognostic models were used to evaluate patient characteristics and treatment choices associated with risk of each class of complications. Propensity scores for choice of calcineurin inhibitor were included in multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The analysis included 21,489 patients, of whom 4,105 developed NODM by 3 years posttransplant. One or more NODM complications developed in 2,393 patients (58.3% of all patients with NODM), comprising ketoacidosis (334, 8.1%), hyperosmolarity (131, 3.2%), renal complications (1,286, 31.3%), ophthalmic complications (340, 8.3%), neurological complications (665, 16.2%), peripheral circulatory disorders (170, 4.1%) and hypoglycemia/shock (301, 7.3%). Complications developed within a mean of 500 to 600 days from diagnosis of NODM. Multivariate analysis showed that increased recipient age, higher body mass index, African-American race, hepatitis C infection, hypertension as cause of end-stage renal disease, cold ischemia >or=30 hours, and use of tacrolimus each increased risk of complications. CONCLUSION: NODM is associated with similar complications to those seen in the general population, but these appear to develop at an accelerated rate. Obesity and use of tacrolimus are the only modifiable factors that appear to affect risk of NODM or its complications.