Renal transplant recipients (RTR) are often advised to refrain from alcohol because of use of immunosuppressive drugs. While in the general population moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced risk for diabetes and mortality, it is unknown if the same holds true for RTR. Therefore we investigated the association of alcohol consumption with post transplant diabetes (PTD) and mortality in RTR.
RTR were investigated between 2001 and 2003. Alcohol consumption was assessed by self-report. Mortality was recorded until May 2009.
A total of 600 RTR (age 51±12 years, 55% men) participated at a median time of 5.9 years post-transplant. Of these RTR, 288(48%) were abstainers, 94(16%) sporadic users, 210(35%) had moderate intake and 8(1%) were heavy drinkers. Total prevalence of PTD was 78(12%). Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with low prevalence of PTD (OR= 0.33 [0.2-0.6], P<0.002). During median follow-up for 7.0 years, 33(15.7%) subjects died in the group of moderate alcohol consumption, while 75(26.0%), 23(24.5%), and 2(25%) died in the groups of abstainers, sporadic and heavy drinkers resp. (P=0.01).
In univariate Cox-regression analyses moderate alcohol intake was associated with reduced risk for mortality (HR=0.56 [0.4-0.8],P=0.005). Adjustment for potential confounders, including diabetes and smoking did not materially change this association.
Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with low prevalence of PTD and reduced risk for mortality in RTR. In contrast with common advices, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol appears to be protective against diabetes and mortality in RTR, similar to the general population.
Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with low prevalence of PTD and reduced risk for mortality in RTR. In contrast with common advices, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol appears to be protective against diabetes and mortality in RTR, similar to the general population.
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