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Mediterranean diet adherence associated with reduced diabetes risk after kidney transplant
High adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet may reduce the risk for new-onset diabetes and all-cause mortality in patients who have undergone renal transplantation, according to results from a prospective cohort study.
“Patients with a high [Mediterranean diet score] had a four times lower risk of [new-onset diabetes after transplantation] and a two times lower risk of all-cause mortality,” Maryse C. J. Oste, of the division of nephrology at the University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, and colleagues wrote. “These results suggest that a healthy diet is of paramount importance for patients who receive a new kidney.”
Oste and colleagues analyzed data from 468 adults without diabetes at baseline who underwent renal transplant with a functioning graft for at least 1 year between November 2008 and May 2011 (mean age, 51 years; 56.6% men). Patients completed a 177-item validated food frequency questionnaire; the cohort was stratified by a 9-point Mediterranean diet score (low, 0-4 points; high, 5-9 points). Researchers used logistic regression analysis to assess the association between Mediterranean diet score and new-onset diabetes after transplantation and Cox regression analysis to assess the association with all-cause mortality.
Within the cohort, 54% of participants had a high Mediterranean diet score. During a median follow-up of 4 years, 22 patients (5%) developed new-onset diabetes after transplantation (17 in the low-score group vs. five in the high-score group); 50 patients died (11%; 29 in the low-score group vs. 21 in the high-score group). Researchers found that a high Mediterranean diet score was associated with both a lower risk for new-onset diabetes after transplantation (OR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.64) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29-0.89) vs. a low Mediterranean diet score, independent of age and sex. Results persisted after adjustment for total energy intake, physical activity and smoking status.
The researchers noted that the Mediterranean diet adherence in the cohort was “not optimal” and that better adherence may further reduce risk.
“More attention is needed for the nutritional habits of [renal transplant recipients],” the researcher wrote. – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The Dutch Top Institute Food and Nutrition supported this study. The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.