Risk factors for the development of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus in simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients

We sought to determine the risk factors involved in the development of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) following simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation. Correlations were sought between tacrolimus (FK-506) levels/dose 2-hour capillary glucose (CG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), cyclosporine (CSA) levels/dose with HbA1c, 2-hour CG with prednisone dose and body mass index (BMI) and PTDM. Four patients (9.3%) developed PTDM. Three treated with FK-506 had altered 2-hour CG at 3 months after transplantation; 1 prescribed CSA displayed diabetes diagnosed after 1 year. There was no statistically significant difference among HbA 1c values and FK-506 ( P = .18) or CSA ( P = .81) doses or FK-506 ( P = .53) and CSA ( P = .54) levels. In contrast, there was a statistically significant relationship between elevated 2-hour CG (≥200 mg/dL) and daily prednisone dose (9.7 mg vs. 16.2 mg; P = .003). There was no correlation between 2-hour CG and FK-506 dose ( P = .084) or FK-506 levels ( P = .075). The greater BMI correlated with an increased risk of PTDM (21.25 ± 3.13 kg/m 2 vs 24.67 ± 2.38 kg/m 2; P = .034). Two-hour CG may be a useful tool to screen the diabetogenic effects of corticosteroids. A BMI increase should be discouraged due to the risk of PTDM.