Study: Outcomes Poorer for Obese Liver Transplant Recipients

A study of liver transplantations performed between 1998 and 1996 has concluded that outcomes are significantly worse for patients who are significantly or morbidly obese.

The researchers, reporting in the journal Hepatology, said 5 percent of the liver transplant recipients during this period were significantly obese (a Body Mass Index higher than 35) and 2 percent of the transplant recipients were morbidly obese (a BMI higher than 40).

"Primary graft nonfunction, and immediate, 1-year, and 2-year mortality were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group," the researchers reported. "Five-year mortality was significantly higher both in the severely and morbidly obese subjects, mostly as a result of adverse cardiovascular events."

"Weight loss should be recommended for all patients awaiting a liver transplantation, especially if their BMI is more than 35," the researchers concluded.