Hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients

The prevalence nature and possible aetiology of post transplantation hyperlipidaemia were studied in 94 renal allograft recipients. Sixty five per cent of the group had hypercholesterolaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia, and types IIb and IV were the commonest forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia encountered. The pathogenesis of post transplantation hyperlipidaemia is complex. Hypertriglyceridaemia was maximal in the first year after transplantation and could be correlated with high corticosteroid dosage during this period. Thereafter hypertriglyceridaemia was less marked and was related to obesity, carbohydrate intolerance and basal insulin levels. Mean cholesterol levels were elevated throughout the post transplantation period, varied little and could not be related to corticosteroid dosage, body weight, carbohydrate intolerance, basal insulin levels or renal dysfunction.