Role of Diabetes Education Program in Controlling Posttransplant Diabetes in a Recent Renal Transplant Bodybuilder: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Exp Clin Transplant. 2019 Jan;17(Suppl 1):169-171. doi: 10.6002/ect.MESOT2018.P46.

Abstract

Posttransplant diabetes is a common complication of solid-organ transplantation. We present the possible role of diabetes education in improvement of posttransplant diabetes in a 36-year-old bodybuilder who was a kidney transplant recipient. The patient had been abusing some medications to help in bodybuilding. He underwent living unrelated-donor renal transplant with thymoglobulin induction and was maintained on steroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Posttransplant diabetes was confirmed by blood tests. His blood sugar was partially controlled by 3 oral agents. The patient participated in our structured diabetes education program. This program was created to cover different items related to diabetes control, including diet, proper exercise, blood sugar monitoring, sick day management, and pathophysiologic roles of diabetes medications. Within 4 months of participation in this program, the patient's blood sugar became well controlled and his diabetes medications started to be minimized. He presently has stable graft function with hemoglobin A1c level around 5.6% on only diet management. Bodybuilders are at risk of deterioration of their kidney function. A proper diabetes education program is recommended to help renal transplant recipients with early posttransplant diabetes mellitus to control their disease. Success requires close evaluation and a multidisciplinary approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Anabolic Agents / adverse effects
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Body Composition* / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Diet, Healthy
  • Exercise
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Lifting*

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents