Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the risk of recurrent infections and immune status in kidney transplant recipients.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective study included 125 patients: 60 in the control group (without DM) and 65 in the diabetic group. Demographics, history of infections, renal function (eGFR, creatinine), and immune parameters (CD4+, CD8+, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10) were analyzed. Statistical analysis: t-test, χ², ANOVA, logistic regression, ROC analysis; p<0.05 considered significant.
Results
Recurrent infections occurred in 43% of diabetic patients versus 23% in controls (p=0.02). eGFR was lower in diabetics (56 ± 9 vs 61 ± 8 mL/min/1.73 m², p=0.04), creatinine higher (130 ± 18 vs 118 ± 14 μmol/L, p=0.04). CD4+ (35 ± 4% vs 38 ± 4%) and CD8+ (30 ± 3% vs 32 ± 3%) were decreased, while IL-6 (9.2 ± 2.1 vs 7.1 ± 1.5) and TNF-α (7.6 ± 2.0 vs 5.5 ± 1.2) were elevated in diabetic patients (p=0.03).
Conclusion
Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of recurrent infections, impairs graft function, and alters immune status, indicating the need for individualized monitoring and tailored immunosuppressive therapy.

Keywords

kidney transplantation; diabetes mellitus; recurrent infections; immune status; CD4+; IL-6; TNF-α.0

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