Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk in renal transplant recipients: effects of statin treatment

Abstract: Background: Renal transplant recipients (RTR) have high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). They also have high prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MS). Statin treatment reduces CVD risk in RTR. The aim was to study MS as CVD risk factor in RTR, and to investigate the effect of statin treatment in RTR with MS.

Methods: In total, 1706 non-diabetic RTR from the Assessment of Lescol in Renal Transplantation trial were followed for 7–8 yr. The captured endpoints included major adverse cardiac events [MACE, defined as cardiac death (CD), non-fatal myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization procedure], and CD. MS was defined at baseline according to Adult Treatment Panel III definition with waist girth replaced by body mass index ≥30 kg/m².

Results: MS was diagnosed in 32% of the patients. During the follow-up, MACE incidence was 16% in those with MS and 11% in those without MS (p < 0.001). Statin treatment reduced MACE risk by 53% in the group with MS. CD risk was 74% higher in RTR with MS (p = 0.012), and statin treatment reduced CD risk in those with MS (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: RTR with MS have increased risk for CVD. RTR with MS are an easily identifiable group of patients who benefit from statin treatment.