Safety and effectiveness of kidney transplantation in diabetes mellitus patients

Objective To assess the safety and effectiveness of kidney transplantation in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Methods Clinical data about 1 061 DM patients who underwent kidney transplantation in our center from 2008 to 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into DM group (n=116) and non-DM group (n=945). The incidence of acute rejection (AR), postoperative infection, adverse events, and the survival rate of patients/kidney were comparatively analyzed. Results No significant difference was found in the incidence of AR between DM group and non-DM group (20.6% vs 18.3%, P=0.53). The incidence of postoperative infection and adverse events was significantly higher in DM group than in non-DM group (23.3% vs 15.6%, P=0.03; 42.2% vs 32.3%, P=0.03). No significant difference was found in the 1-, 2-, and 3- year survival rates of patients and kidney between the two groups after operation (P> 0.05). Conclusion The incidence of postoperative infection and adverse events is higher in DM patients than in ohter patients,but does not affect the survival rate of patients/kidney and the incidence of AR. DM may reduce the safety but not affect the curative effect of kidney transplantation. DM patients can undergo kidney transplantation on the premise of its safety.