New-onset diabetes after liver transplantation and its impact on complications and patient survival.

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in liver transplant recipients and the influence of NODAT on complications and long-term patient survival. Methods We examined 438 patients who underwent liver transplantation between April 2001 and December 2008 and were not diabetic before transplantation. Results The mean (± SD) follow-up duration was 2.46 ± 1.62 years. The incidence of NODAT 3, 6, 9, 12, 36, and 60 months after transplantation was 44.24%, 25.59%, 23.08%, 25.17%, 17.86%, and 18.18%, respectively. Multifactor analysis indicated that preoperative fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and donor liver steatosis were independent risk factors for NODAT, whereas administration of an interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antagonist reduced the risk of NODAT. Compared with the no NODAT group (N-NODAT), the NODAT group had a higher rate of sepsis and chronic renal insufficiency. Mean survival was significantly longer in the N-NODAT than NODAT group. Cox regression analysis showed that pre- and/or postoperative FPG levels, tumor recurrence or metastasis, and renal insufficiency after liver transplantation were independent risk factors of mortality. Pulmonary infection or multisystem failure were specific causes of death in the NODAT group, whereas patients in both groups died primarily from tumor relapse or metastasis. Conclusions Preoperative FPG levels and donor liver steatosis were independent risk factors for NODAT, whereas administration of an IL-2R antagonist reduced the risk of NODAT. Patients with NODAT had reduced survival and an increased incidence of sepsis and chronic renal insufficiency. Significant causes of death in the NODAT group were pulmonary infection and multisystem failure.