Role of sex in post-transplant diabetes mellitus development: Are men and women equal?

Abstract Introduction Sex differences are defined as biology-linked differences between women and men that occur through the sex chromosomes and their effects on organ systems. Material and methods The objective of this prospective study was to determine risk factors for post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in men and women. Results A total of 417 patients (271 men and 146 women) were included in the monitored group. Age at the time of kidney transplantation (KT) >60 years and hypovitaminosis D at the time of KT ( 94 cm, C-peptide at the time of KT >5 ng/ml, HOMA-IR >2 and triacylglycerols at the time of KT >1.7 mmol/l. In case of women, the dominant factor was BMI at the time of KT >30 kg/m2 and menopause at the time of KT. A significant decrease in C-peptide was recorded in women with PTDM. Conclusion It was confirmed that there are gender differences with regard to the development of PTDM after KT. Women show pancreas β cell dysfunction, whereas insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are dominant in men.