Lifestyle risk factors of non-communicable diseases among patients after liver transplantation – a pilot study

Abstract

Background. liver transplantation (ltx) is the ultimate treatment for some hepatologic patients (pts), very often observed having excessive weight gain after operation, resulting in an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (ncds). Objectives. the aim of the pilot study was to evaluate the chosen lifestyle risk factors of ncds (nutritional status, intake of energy, micronutrients, cholesterol and fiber, smoking habit and physical activity) of ltx pts. Material and methods. the pilot study group consisted of 44 pts (13 women and 31 men) of the department of transplant Medicine and nephrology, Medical university of warsaw. anthropometric, nutritional, smoking habit and physical activity data was collected from september 2015 till May 2016. Results. Mean body weight was 85.3 ± 15.6 kg, mean body mass index (BMi) -29.1 ± 4.5 kg/m 2 , mean waist circumference (wc) -101.9 ± 12.3 cm, mean % of total body fat -28.8 ± 7.9%. Only ca. 16% of pts had a normal BMi. More than 90% of pts had abdominal obesity. Mean energy intake was 1,605.4 ± 441.6 kcal (percentage of energy protein/total fat/carbohydrates -18.2 ± 3.2%/34.4 ± 5.8%/47.1 ± 6.0%), cholesterol intake 264.6 ± 100.7 mg, dietary fiber intake 17.4 ± 5.8 g daily. Mean number of steps was 7,163.2 ± 3,344.5 per day, and mean daily Met was only 1.5 ± 0.3. Moderate physical activity lasted on average for 02:06 ± 01:27 (hh:mm). the prevalence for smoking was 23%. Conclusions. the diet of ltx pts was based on improper proportions of macronutrients. anthropometric measurements of these patients revealed an impaired nutritional status, including metabolic obesity. the physical level of activity was insufficient. the prevalence for smoking was similar to the general Polish population. the presence of ncd risk factors among ltx pts requires the creation of interprofessional teams of health care workers. Key words: life style, liver transplantation, risk of non-communicable diseases.

The prevalence of determinants of obesity, metabolic syndrome and overweight in middle-aged urban women living in a megacity

“…in another study, the amount of physical activity was seen as important in reducing metabolic syndrome risk in older adults with obesity [32]. in a study in Poland, patients after a liver transplant showed an insufficient level of physical activity [14].…”

“…The results of a study in european countries showed that obese and overweight groups were more likely to be unemployed, be more cigarettes' smoker, less educated, less general health, lower social participation and less free time to do physical activity than those with normal weight [13]. in a study by Jagielska et al in Poland, anthropometric measurements of patients after liver transplant revealed an impaired nutritional status, including metabolic obesity, and the physical level of activity was insufficient [14].…”

Diet and physical activity after liver transplant: A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to following advice

“…1,2 However, long-term changes in diet and physical activity (henceforth referred to as activity) are recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis, which is elevated in this patient group. 3,4 Despite some transplant centres providing patients with dietary counselling, physical therapy and activity advice, research indicates that many liver transplant recipients do not achieve the recommended levels of activity 5,6 or dietary intake, 7 as indicated by excessive weight gain 8 and metabolic syndrome 9 after transplant. Published studies that explore patients' experiences after liver transplant have focused primarily on lived experience of transplantation 10 or adherence to medical care, 11 with a paucity of data about patients' experience of implementing diet and physical activity advice.…”