Association of Genetic Risk Factors and Underlying Mechanism in the Development of New-Onset Diabetes after Transplantation

New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a serious and common complication following solid organ transplantation and has been reported to occur in 2 to 53 % of all solid organ transplants. Various risk factors are associated with NODAT, however, the pathogenic mechanisms are still not very clear. In addition to the traditional risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) such as age, family history, obesity, ethnicity etc, exposure to immunosuppressive agents often leads to the occurrence of NODAT. Renal transplant patients who develop NODAT are at higher risk of cardiovascular events, infections, graft loss and patient loss. The incidence of NODAT has been reported to be high in early transplant period due to the exposure to the high doses of corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors and decreased physical activity during that period. Besides the traditional risk factors, genetic factors also play a major role in the development of NODAT. Knowledge of these factors at the earlier stage may help in identifying the high risk patients and implementing the preventive measures to reduce the development of NODAT. In the present article we reviewed the literature on the occurrence, traditional and genetic risk factors and the diagnostic criteria in the development of NODAT. Assessment of β-cell function and analysis of genetic factors would help in the control and management of NODAT in near future.