No abstract

An optimal nutritional status is associated with better post-transplant outcomes and survival. Post-lung transplant nutrition management is however particularly challenging as lung recipients represent a very heterogeneous group of patients in terms of age, underlying diseases, weight status and presence of comorbidities. Furthermore, the post-transplant period encompasses several stages characterized by physiological and pathophysiological changes that affect nutritional status of patients and necessitate tailored nutrition management. We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding nutritional requirements in the post-lung transplant period from the immediate post-operative phase to long-term follow-up. In the immediate post-transplantation phase, the high doses of immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, the goal of maintaining hemodynamic stability, the presence of a catabolic state, and the wound healing process increase nutritional demands and lead to metabolic perturbations that necessitate nutritional interventions. As time from transplantation increases, complications such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease, may develop and require adjustments to nutrition management. Until specific nutritional guidelines for lung recipients are elaborated, recommendations regarding nutrient requirements are formulated to provide guidance for clinicians caring for these patients. Finally, the management of recipients with special considerations is also briefly addressed.

Our results suggest that obese candidates with an unfavorable pretransplant BMI evolution are at greater risk of worse post-LTx outcomes.

Original Clinical Science-General Background. Weight gain is commonly seen in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. Although previous studies have focused on weight changes at fixed time periods and relatively early after transplant, trends over time and long-term weight evolution have not been described in this population. The study objectives were to document weight changes up to 15 years post-LTx and assess the predictors of post-LTx weight changes and their associations with mortality. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of LTx recipients between January 1, 2000, and November 30, 2016 (n = 502). Absolute weight changes from transplant were calculated at fixed time periods (6 mo, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 y), and continuous trends over time were generated. Predictors of weight changes and their association with mortality were assessed using linear and Cox regression analysis. Results. LTx recipients experienced a gradual increase in weight, resulting from the combination of multiple weight trajectories. Interstitial lung disease diagnosis negatively predicted post-LTx weight changes at all time points, whereas transplant body mass index categories were significant predictors at earlier time points. Patients with a weight gain of >10% at 5 years had a better survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.66), whereas a 10% weight loss at earlier time points was associated with worse survival (1 y: HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.22-3.41 and 2 y: HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.22-4.58). Conclusions. Post-LTx weight changes display various trajectories, are predicted to some extent by individual and LTx-related factors, and have a negative or positive impact on survival depending on the time post-LTx. These results may lead to a better individualization of weight management after transplant.