Impact of immunosuppression on incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus in solid organ transplant recipients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention for end-stage organ disease. Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication in solid organ transplant recipients, and significantly compromises long-term survival beyond a year.

Aim: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate incidence of PTDM and compare the effects of the 3 major immunosuppressants on incidence of PTDM.

Methods: Two hundred and six eligible studies identified 75595 patients on Tacrolimus, 51242 on Cyclosporine and 3020 on Sirolimus. Random effects meta-analyses was used to calculate incidence.

Results: Network meta-analysis estimated the overall risk of developing PTDM was higher with tacrolimus (OR = 1.4 95%CI: 1.0-2.0) and sirolimus (OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.5-2.2) than with Cyclosporine. The overall incidence of PTDM at years 2-3 was 17% for kidney, 19% for liver and 22% for heart. The risk factors for PTDM most frequently identified in the primary studies were age, body mass index, hepatitis C, and African American descent.

Conclusion: Tacrolimus tends to exhibit higher diabetogenicity in the short-term (2-3 years post-transplant), whereas sirolimus exhibits higher diabetogenicity in the long-term (5-10 years post-transplant). This study will aid clinicians in recognition of risk factors for PTDM and encourage careful evaluation of the risk/benefit of different immunosuppressant regimens in transplant recipients.