Cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant recipients is associated with impaired survival irrespective of expected mortality risk

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and CMV disease are associated with increased mortality post-transplantation. We have thus retrospectively examined whether this association is found both in patients with high and low mortality risk. Between 1994 and 1997, 471 kidney transplant recipients were monitored once weekly for CMV pp65 antigenemia and CMV disease the first 100 d after tx and followed prospectively for median 66.6 months. Patients with nephrosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy and amyloidosis were selected as high mortality risk groups (HRG). Overall and cardiovascular mortality beyond 100 d in the low-risk group (n = 372) was 14% and 3.5%, and in the HRG (n = 99) 31% and 16%, respectively. The effects of CMV infection and disease, recipient age and gender, panel-reactive cytotoxic antibodies, acute rejection, HRG, and graft loss in the whole study period were tested on overall mortality beyond 100 d in multiple analysis. HRG was independently associated with overall mortality, RR = 2.03, and still both CMV infection and disease were significant risk factors for mortality, independent of HRG. The same analysis was repeated for HRG (n = 99). Even in this small group CMV disease was independently associated with overall mortality. These data indicate that CMV increase mortality independently both in patients with otherwise high- or low-risk for long-term mortality.     

Troponin T is an independent predictor of mortality in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Numerous reports have demonstrated an association between elevated Troponin T levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, whether raised Troponin T levels are an independent predictor of mortality in renal transplant recipients has not yet been established. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the use of Troponin T as a prognostic marker in a population of renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-two asymptomatic renal transplant recipients were recruited between June 2000 and December 2002. Troponin T was measured at baseline and prospective follow-up data were collected at a median of 1739 days. RESULTS: In Kaplan-Meier analysis a Troponin T level > or = 0.03 microg/l was a significant predictor of mortality (P < 0.001). In Cox Regression analysis, an elevated Troponin T level remained a significant predictor of mortality following adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P < 0.001) and following adjustment for estimated glomerular filtration rate and high sensitivity C reactive protein (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Troponin T level is a strong independent predictor of all cause mortality in patients with a renal transplant. Troponin T, therefore, represents a promising biochemical marker that identifies those renal transplant recipients who are most likely to benefit from aggressive cardiovascular risk factor modification.     

Endogenous plasma erythropoietin, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality in renal transplant recipients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Classical factors only partly explain the excess risk. We hypothesized that high EPO--a marker for inflammation, angiogenesis and hypoxia--is associated with CVD in RTR. A total of 568 RTR (51±12 years; 45% female; creatinine clearance (CrCl) 57±20 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were included at median 6 [IQR 3-11] years after transplantation. Subjects on exogenous EPO and ferritin-depleted subjects were excluded. Median EPO level was 17.3 [IQR 11.9-24.2] IU/L. Gender-stratified tertiles of age-corrected EPO were positively associated with waist circumference (but not BMI), CVD history, time since transplantation, diuretics, azathioprine, CRP, mean corpuscular volume and triglyceride levels, and inversely with CrCl, RAAS-inhibition, cyclosporine, hemoglobin, total- and HDL-cholesterol. During follow-up for 7 [6-7] years, 121 RTR (21%) died, 64 of cardiovascular (CV) causes. Higher EPO (per 10 IU/L) was associated with total (HR1.16 [1.04-1.29], p = 0.01) and CV mortality (HR1.22 [1.06-1.40], p = 0.005), independent of age, gender, hemoglobin, inflammation, renal function and Framingham risk factors. Thus, EPO and mortality are linked in RTR, independent of potential confounders. This suggests that yet other mechanisms are involved. Dissecting determinants of EPO in RTR may improve understanding of mechanisms behind excess CV risk in this population.     

Low-dose simvastatin is safe in hyperlipidaemic renal transplant patients

Hyperlipidaemia is common after renal transplantation, and becauseof its association with atherosclerosis, interest has increasedin the use of lipid-lowering drugs in transplant patients. Dietaryapproaches have not been consistently successful, and multiplepharmacotherapy and drug interactions have led to difficultiesin establishing lipid-lowering drug regimes. The statins reduceplasma cholesterol by inhibiting the rate-limiting step in cholesterolsynthesis, and although some side-effects have been reportedin their use after transplantation, the efficacy and safetyof low doses has not been formally established. A randomized single-blind placebo crossover study designed todetermine the safety and effectiveness of simvastatin in a singledaily 5-mg evening dose was therefore conducted in 26 stablerenal transplant patients, 14 of whom were receiving cyclosporinA. The results demonstrated no difference between total cholesterollevels in the baseline simvastatin and placebo periods: 7.97± 1.2 and 7.59±1.5 mmol/l respectively. After8 weeks of simvastatin, the total cholesterol declined significantlyto 6.72±0.87 mmol/l (P<0.001). A significant differencewas found when the placebo and simvastatin cholesterol levelswere compared at 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.01). LDL cholesterol decreased from 4.74 ± 0.87 to 3.78 ±0.78 mmol/l after 8 weeks on simvastatin (P<0.001), and apoB fell from 142 ± 31 to 112 ± 22 mg/dl (P<0.001).The difference in LDL cholesterol and apo B after 8 weeks ofsimvastatin when compared with the corresponding values on placebowas also significant (P<0.01). A slight but not significantincrement in HDL cholesterol from 1.10 ± 0.47 to 1.13± 55 mmol/l (NS) was seen after 8 weeks on simvastatin. Triglycerides and serum creatinine did not change during thestudy in any of the groups. Creatine kinase (CK.) remained inthe normal range (0–200 U/l), except for one patient nottaking cyclosporin who had a CK value slightly above the upperlimit of normal during the simvastatin period, without abnormalclinical signs. Repeated cyclosporin measurements remained withinthe therapeutic range (50–150 ng/ml). These results suggestthat low-dose simvastatin is effective and safe in reducingtotal cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in renal transplant patients.     

Clinical and immunological features of very long-term survivors with a single renal transplant

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and immunological features of the 56 still alive patients at our institution harboring a functional first renal transplant since more than 30 years. The mean post‐transplant graft survival in all patients was 35.4 ± 3.1 years, the mean serum creatinine concentration was 128.7 ± 7 μmol/l, and the mean urinary protein concentration was 0.6 ± 0.5 g/l. Fifty‐one percent of the patients had experienced cancer involving the skin (46.1%) and/or other tissues (28%). Hepatocarcinoma was diagnosed in 11% of the patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and/or C (48%). The 5‐year patient survival rate (considered after the 30th transplantation anniversary) was 27% in patients presenting a tumor versus 87% in those tumor‐free (P < 0.0001). The thymic output, the proportions of the memory and naïve T cell subsets, and the frequencies of EBV‐ and CMV‐reactive, IFN‐γ‐producing T cells did not differ from those observed in more recently transplanted patients. These results suggest that the impact of chronic immunosuppression on some immune functions does not worsen over time and that the observed high prevalence of cancer in these patients may be related to the synergistic effects of decreased immunosurveillance and the time required for carcinogenesis.     

Dream anxiety in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Objective: Although low quality of sleep has been reported in kidney transplant patients with functioning allografts, there are no previous studies investigating the dreams of these patients. We aimed to investigate the differences in dream anxiety level between renal transplant patients and healthy control subjects. We also planned to compare depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep quality and sleepiness level between these two groups. Methods: Twenty-two living-donor renal transplant recipients followed at an outpatient nephrology clinic and 22 healthy controls were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, and the Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories were used for the assessment of the necessary features. Hemoglobin (Hb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and glucose levels were measured. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of dream anxiety (p?=?0.45), depression (p?=?0.76), sleep quality (p?=?0.8), insomnia severity (p?=?0.08) and Hb (p?=?0.11) and glucose levels (p?=?0.14). Although, BUN (p?=?0.00) and creatinine (p?=?0.00) levels differed significantly between the two groups, both parameters were found to be within their normal range. Conclusions: In our study, chronic renal failure patients with a successful kidney transplant were found to be able to completely return to normal in terms of metabolic parameters, sleep quality and mood. Similar levels of dream anxiety are also consistent with these findings.     

Gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients

Gastrointestinal complications are frequent in renal transplant recipients and can include oral lesions, esophagitis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, colon disorders and malignancy. Oral lesions may be caused by drugs such as cyclosporine and sirolimus, by virus or fungal infections. Leukoplakia may develop in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The commonest esophageal disorder is represented by fungal esophagitis usually caused by candida. A number of patients may suffer from nausea, vomiting and gastric discomfort. These disorders are more frequent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Peptic ulcer is more rare than in the past. Patients with a history of peptic ulcer are particularly prone to this complication. Other gastroduodenal disorders are caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex infection. Diarrhea is a frequent disorder which may be caused by pathogen microorganisms or by immunosuppressive agents. The differential diagnosis may be difficult. Colon disorders mainly consist of hemorrhage, usually sustained by CMV infection, or perforation which may be caused by diverticulitis or intestinal ischemia. Colon cancer, anal carcinoma, and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are particularly frequent in transplant recipients. A particular gastric lymphoma called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma may develop in renal transplant patients. It usually responds to the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.     

Pituitary-testicular function in cyclosporin-treated renal transplant patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences inLH, FSH, PRL and testosterone levels in 20 men on haemodialysisand 26 men following renal transplantation. Nineteen of therenal transplant recipients were receiving cyclosporin, azathioprine,and prednisone, while the seven remaining individuals receivedazathioprine and prednisone. A subgroup of eight patients werealso studied longitudinally while undergoing maintenance haemodialysisand after transplantation. The results show that successfulrenal transplantation resulted in a normalization of hormonelevels in either the cross-sectional or longitudinal groups,the degree of which was unaffected by treatment modality. Cyclosporingiven in therapeutic doses does not alter the pituitary-testicularfunction in renal transplant recipients.     

Renal function and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations predict parathyroid hormone levels in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines suggest supplementation with ergocalciferol (vitamin D(2)) in chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4 patients with elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <75 nmol/l. These guidelines are also applied to renal transplant patients. However, the prevalence rates of 25OHD deficiency and its association with PTH levels in renal transplant populations have not been extensively examined. We aimed to document the prevalence rates of 25OHD deficiency [defined by serum levels <40 nmol/l (<16 ng/ml)] and insufficiency [<75 nmol/l (<30 ng/ml)] in a single renal transplant centre, and examine its relationship with PTH levels. METHODS: Serum 25OHD and PTH concentrations were measured in 419 transplant patients attending a single renal transplant clinic over a 4-month period. Demographic and biochemical data were also collected, including serum creatinine, calcium, phosphate and albumin. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: In 27.3% of the patients, 25OHD deficiency was present, and 75.5% had insufficiency. On univariate analysis, 25OHD, serum albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly associated with PTH levels (P < 0.0001, P = 0.004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that only 25OHD, eGFR and serum phosphate were significantly predictive of PTH levels (R(2) = 0.19, P < 0.0001). In this model, a 75 nmol/l increase in 25OHD will only result in a maximal reduction in PTH of 2.0 pmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 25OHD deficiency and insufficiency are common in renal transplant patients and may exacerbate secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, 25OHD, eGFR and phosphate only account for 19% of the variability in PTH levels. In addition, even a large increase in serum 25OHD levels is likely to result in only a small reduction in PTH. Therefore, alternative approaches to managing hyperparathyroidism in renal transplant recipients rather than supplementation with ergocalciferol are warranted.     

Gout in renal transplant recipients

AIMS: The aims of the present audit were to determine the prevalence of gout in renal transplant recipients in Canterbury, New Zealand, to identify risk factors for gout, and to assess the range of treatments used, their efficacy and complications. In addition, the authors wished to assess the impact of post-renal transplant gout on the patient. METHODS: Patients with post-transplantation gout were identified from the Christchurch Hospital Nephrology database. For each patient with gout a post-renal transplantation recipient without gout post transplant was found matched for age, sex and date of transplant. Case notes were audited and patients interviewed. RESULTS: In total, 47/202 (23%) living renal transplant recipients had gout post transplant. Those patients with gout were more likely to be taking a loop diuretic (68%vs 34%, P < 0.001), to have a higher serum urate and impaired renal function and to have had gout prior to the transplant. Of those patients who developed gout post transplant 70% had an attack at least every 3 months. Of those who returned to work post transplant 48% required time off work because of gout. CONCLUSION: out is an important problem in the post-transplant population causing significant morbidity and time off work. Diuretics, impaired renal function, gout prior to transplantation and hyperuricaemia are important risk factors. The need for diuretic therapy should be kept under review in these patients. Hypouricaemic therapy should be considered early in those who develop gout post renal transplantation. Further studies are required to determine whether treatment for asymptomatic hyperuricaemia is justified.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in two renal transplant patients

Coronary artery disease is a critical problem for a renal transplant patient. This paper reports offpump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) in two cases after renal transplantation. The first, a 65-year-old woman, experienced chest pain 5 years after a renal transplantation. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the first diagonal artery (DB1). OPCABG [left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to DB1 and LAD] was performed. The second, a 67-year-old man, underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in the LAD 10 years ago. He experienced chest pain 2 years after a renal transplantation. CAG revealed restenosis of LAD. OPCABG (LITA to LAD) was performed. The patients’ postoperative course was uneventful. OPCABG for a renal transplant patient was safe and useful since it is a less invasive procedure and easily managed perioperatively.     

Early assessment of renal resistance index after kidney transplant can help predict long-term renal function.

BACKGROUND: Color Doppler ultrasonography of intrarenal arterial resistance index (RI), performed early after kidney transplant, has proven to reliably predict short-term allograft function. The aim of this study was to assess whether it could also predict long-term renal function. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 76 kidney transplant patients who underwent RI assessment within 1 month after the transplant, subdivided into two groups according to RI values, lower (group A) or higher (group B) than its median value (0.635). RESULTS: Compared with group A subjects, the patients of group B were older at the time of transplant (42 +/- 9 vs 35 +/- 8 years; P = 0.001), the donor age was also older (41 +/- 16 vs 33 +/- 13 years; P = 0.02) and had a slightly higher proteinuria (0.54 +/- 0.5 vs 0.32 +/- 0.2 g/24 h; P = 0.02). Serum creatinine, ciclosporin or tacrolimus trough level, arterial blood pressure, number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches, anti-hypertensive medications and incidence of delayed graft function were not significantly different between the two groups. By univariate analysis, RI turned out to directly correlate with the recipient age, donor age and daily proteinuria (P = 0.007, P = 0.0007 and P = 0.02, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that only donor and recipient age maintained their independent predictive value on RI. Kaplan-Meier analysis, considering a serum creatinine increase >50% as the endpoint of the study, showed a statistically significant different graft survival in the two groups (log-rank test = 5.489; P = 0.01). The univariate relative risk of deterioration of graft function among patients with higher RI was 3.77. Proteinuria and recipient age increased the risk as well. CONCLUSIONS: Our data seem to suggest that early determination of RI can help predict long-term graft function in kidney transplant recipients.     

Diabetic retinopathy may predict the renal outcomes of patients with diabetic nephropathy

Background: The patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are prone to develop diabetic nephropathy (DN). In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between DR and the progression of DN in patients with T2DM.

Methods: In the cross-section study, 250 patients with T2DM and biopsy-proven DN were divided into two groups: 130 in the DN without DR group (DN group) and 120 in the DN?+?DR group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for DR. Of the above 250 patients, 141 were recruited in the cohort study who received follow-up for at least 1 year and the influence of DR on renal outcome was assessed using Cox regression. Renal outcome was defined as the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Results: In the cross-section study, the severity of glomerular lesions (class IIb?+?III) and DM history?>10 years were significantly associated with the odds of DR when adjusting for baseline proteinuria, hematuria, e-GFR, and interstitial inflammation. In the cohort study, a multivariate COX analysis demonstrated that the DR remained an independent risk factor for progression to ESRD when adjusting for important clinical variables and pathological findings (p?Conclusions: These findings indicated that the severity of glomerular lesions was significantly associated with DR and DR was an independent risk factor for the renal outcomes in patients with DN, which suggested that DR may predict the renal prognosis of patients with T2DM and DN.     

Commercial cadaveric renal transplant: an ethical rather than medical issue

Donor organ shortage is a universal problem. The organ source has been extended to controversial death-penalty outlaws in certain countries. It was claimed that commercial transplant had a worse short-term clinical outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term outcome of patients receiving commercial cadaveric renal transplant. Seventy-five renal transplant recipients receiving long-term follow-up were included. Thirty-one patients received overseas commercial cadaveric transplant. Forty-four patients had legal domestic transplant in Taiwan. The age of the patients receiving the commercial cadaveric transplant was significantly older than those with legal domestic transplant (commerical vs. legal: 46.1 +/- 11.4 vs. 35.6 +/- 9.0 yr old, p < 0.001). The renal function estimated by creatinine and 1/creatinine up to eight yr showed no significant difference between the two groups. The graft survivals of the two groups were not different. The mortality rate between the two groups was comparable in 10 yr (91.1% in domestic and 88.9% in overseas). There was no significant difference in de novo viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus infection, and acute rejection. The clinical outcome of overseas commercial cadaveric transplant was not different from the domestic legal transplant. To stop the unethical procedure, ethnicity and humanity are the major concerns.     

Helicobacter pylori antibodies in hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients

In this cross-sectional, controlled study, Helicobacter pylori ( H . pylori ) infection, a probable factor in the development of gastrointestinal problems, was investigated in dialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. Forty-seven dialysis patients (22 male, 25 female, mean age of 36.6±15 yr (range 18–83 yr)), 57 renal transplant recipients (39 male, 18 female, mean age of 36.8±10 yr (range 19–60 yr)) and 55 healthy individuals (34 male, 21 female, mean age of 33.4±9.6 yr (range 21–58 yr)) were included and no significant difference was found in the study groups. The mean time spent on dialysis in the hemodialysis group was 32.5±27.7 months (range 1–100 months). H . pylori antibodies were detected in 22 of 57 (38.6%) patients in the transplantation group, 31 of 47 (65.9%) patients in the dialysis group and 39 of 55 (72.5%) in the control group. No correlation was found between H . pylori infection and age, sex, primary disease, frequency of dialysis, duration and type of transplantation and the immunosuppressive therapy. However, patients with H . pylori antibodies spent a shorter time on dialysis compared to patients without the antibodies (26.6±23.5 vs 44.1±32.1 months, p=0.038). The frequency of H . pylori infection in the transplantation group was significantly lower than the control and dialysis groups (p<0.01). This finding may be explained on the basis of decreased humoral antibody response to H . pylori infection, secondary to immunosuppressive therapy rather than decreased incidence of infection in the transplantation group. Finally, we concluded that the value of the serological test for diagnosis of H . pylori infection should be interpreted cautiously in these patient groups.     

Depressive symptoms and mortality in lung transplant

Evon DM, Burker EJ, Galanko JA, Dedert E, Egan TM. Depressive symptoms and mortality in lung transplant.
Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2010.01236.x. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Objective: To determine whether depressive symptoms predicted survival before and after lung transplantation. We hypothesized that depressive symptoms might predict survival of wait‐listed patients, but would not predict survival post‐transplant. Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal study. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory pre‐transplant. Pre‐transplant survival analyses were conducted (n = 124) based on time from list date, to death, transplant, or censoring, if still alive. Post‐transplant survival analyses were conducted (n = 76) based on time from transplant, to death or censoring. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were utilized. Results: In the unadjusted model, depressive symptoms predicted mortality for candidates awaiting lung transplant (p = 0.02); however, once models were adjusted for demographics and pulmonary status, the relationship between depressive symptoms and mortality rates was attenuated (p > 0.05). Depressive symptoms did not predict survival after lung transplant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pre‐transplant depressive symptoms were associated with mortality among lung transplant candidates in an unadjusted model and a model fit with demographics and forced expiratory volume in one second. Depressive symptoms do not exert an independent effect when forced expiratory vital capacity is added. Depressive symptoms do not predict mortality after transplant. Future studies need to determine whether pre‐transplant psychosocial characteristics confer a greater risk for poorer transplant outcomes.     

Poor prognosis of heart transplant patients with end-stage renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal failure (ESRF) are major complications after a heart transplant. The aim of this study is to compare survival in heart transplant (HT) vs non-heart transplant (non-HT) patients starting dialysis. METHODS: Survival was studied among the 539 newly dialysed patients between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2005 in our Department. All patients were prospectively followed from the date of first dialysis up to death or 31 December 2005. Multivariate survival analysis adjusted on baseline characteristics was performed with the Cox model. RESULTS: There were 21 HT patients and they were younger than non-HT patients at first dialysis: 58.6+/-11.6 vs 63.0+/-16.2 years (P=0.09). Calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity was the main cause of ESRF in HT patients (47.6%). Crude 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates in HT and in non-HT patients were as follows: 76.2%, 57.1%, 28.6% and 79.1%, 58.7%, 46.7% (P=0.2). The adjusted hazard ratio of death in HT vs non-HT patients was 2.27 [1.33-3.87], P=0.003. Sudden death was the main cause of death in HT patients, in 33.3% vs 10.4% in non-HT patients (P=0.01). Five HT patients benefited from renal transplant. They were all alive at the end of the study period, while one patient among the 16 remaining on dialysis survived. CONCLUSION: HT patients with CKD who reached ESRF have a poor outcome after starting dialysis in comparison with other ESRF patients. Improvement in renal function management in the case of CKD is needed in these patients and non-nephrotoxic immunosuppressive regimens have to be evaluated. Renal transplant should be the ESRF treatment of choice in HT patients.     

Optimal body mass index that can predict long‐term graft outcome in Asian renal transplant recipients

Aim: There is limited data concerning the impact of recipient body mass index (BMI) on graft outcome in Asian renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study is to identify whether obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) and overweight (BMI ≥23 kg/m²) can predict graft outcome. Methods: This is a single‐centre retrospective study. All patients who received kidney transplantation between 1997 and 2005 were recruited. Patients were categorized according to two different designated BMI cut‐off values. Results: One hundred and thirty‐one patients were recruited with a median follow‐up duration of 73 months. If a BMI cut‐off value of 25 kg/m² was used, 86.3% patients were classified as non‐obese and 13.7% as obese. Obesity was significantly associated with poor renal graft function and decreased patient and graft survival. On the other hand, 34.3% patients were classified as overweight and 65.7% patients as normal if a BMI cut‐off value of 23 kg/m² was used. Overweight was significantly associated with a lower glomerular filtration rate only. Cox regression analysis showed that obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 3.09), acute rejection (OR = 5.68), pre‐transplant diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.21) and age of recipient (OR = 1.06) were all significant independent risk factors associated with graft failure. Conclusion: Recipient BMI ≥25 kg/m² is a significant predictive factor for long‐term renal graft outcome in the Asian population.