Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (34): 9002-9007.doi: 10.12307/2026.871

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Correlation between body mass index and early recovery outcomes after kidney transplantation

Zhong Xiaoping1, Chen Dan1, Xie Nianhua2   

  1. 1Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430011, Hubei Province, China; 2Wuhan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan 430024, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2025-08-20 Revised:2026-01-26 Online:2026-12-08 Published:2026-04-14
  • Contact: Xie Nianhua, MS, Associate chief physician, Wuhan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan 430024, Hubei Province, China
  • About author:Zhong Xiaoping, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430011, Hubei Province, China
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: The proportion of obesity in the Chinese population has increased year by year, but its impact on early renal function recovery after kidney transplantation has not been systematically elucidated, and localized research is urgently needed to provide evidence-based basis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different body mass indexes on early renal function recovery in renal transplant recipients after surgery, to analyze the association between body mass index and postoperative creatinine, urine volume and hospital stay, and to propose clinical recommendations for individualized management.
METHODS: The clinical data of 495 renal transplant recipients in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2019 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the Chinese obesity standard, they were divided into a lean group (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2, n=78), a normal group (18.5 ≤ body mass index < 24 kg/m2, n=273), an overweight group (24 kg/m2 ≤ body mass index < 28 kg/m2, n=119), and an obese group (body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m2, n=25). The baseline characteristics, postoperative creatinine, urine volume, and hospital stay were compared among the groups. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the independent effect of body mass index on postoperative recovery. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The age of the obese group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P < 0.001), and the proportion of living donors was the lowest (0%, P=0.015). The creatinine level on the 1st day after surgery and hospitalization days were the highest (P < 0.001), and the urine volume was the lowest (P < 0.001). (2) Multivariate regression showed that for every 1 kg/m2 increase in body mass index, the creatinine level on the 1st day after surgery increased by 38 μmol/L (β=0.38, P < 0.001) and the urine volume decreased by 32 mL (β=-0.41, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that increased body mass index is an independent risk factor for slow early renal function recovery and prolonged hospital stay after kidney transplantation. Based on the Chinese obesity standard (body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m²), it is recommended to strengthen perioperative monitoring, optimize immunosuppression regimens, and develop individualized fluid management strategies for obese recipients to improve prognosis. This study provides evidence-based basis for the stratified management of body mass index tailored to local populations.


Key words: body mass index, kidney transplantation, postoperative recovery, creatinine, urine volume

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