Diabetes mellitus is not associated with worse short term outcome in patients older than 65 years old post-liver transplantation

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a global health care challenge and a leading indication of liver transplantation (LT). Hence, more patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are undergoing LT, especially, above the age of 65.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of DM on short-term outcomes post-LT in patients over the age of 65.

Methods: We collected data of patients who underwent LT from January 2001 until December 2019 using our electronic medical record. We assessed the impact of DM on short-term outcomes, one-year, post-LT based on the following variables: Survival at one year; acute cellular rejection (ACR) rates; intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay; and readmissions.

Results: Total of 148 patients who are 65 year or older underwent LT during the study period. The mean age is 68.5 ± 3.3 years and 67.6% were male. The median Model for End-stage Liver Disease score at time of transplantation was 22 (6-39), 39% of patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and 77.7% underwent living donor LT. The one-year survival was similar between DM patients and others, 91%. ACR occurred in 13.5% of patients (P = 0.902). The median ICU stay is 4.5-day P = 0.023. The rates of ICU and 90-d readmission were similar (P = 0.821) and (P = 0.194), respectively.

Conclusion: The short-term outcome of elderly diabetic patients undergoing LT is similar to others. The presence of DM in elderly LT candidates should not discourage physicians from transplant consideration in this cohort of patients.