Background: Hyperlipidemia is a frequent complication after renal transplantation and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Our research team has published that higher adherence to a healthy diet as Alternative Health Eating Index-Taiwan (AHEI-Taiwan) scores associated with lower risk of lipid profiles abnormalities in RTRs in a cross-sectional study.
Methods: A retrospective single‑center cohort study including a 6-year follow-up of 40 RTRs from 2016 to 2023. Laboratory data were obtained from the medical records. Dietary data were collected from 3-day dietary records (2 weekdays and 1 weekend). Statistical analyses were performed using paired T-test via SAS v9.4.
Results: The mean baseline age and renal transplantation time were 49.3 ± 10.9 and 9.6 ± 5.9 years. After 6 years, the significant lower total cholesterol (TC) (206.5 ± 38.3 and 180.1 ± 38.2 mg/dL, p = 0.001), lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (122.6 ± 32.1 and 100.1 ± 26.3 mg/dL, p = 0.001) and higher white red meat scores (2.1 ± 1.7 and 3.3 ± 3.1, p = 0.029) were shown in long term followed up RTRs.
Conclusion: Higher ratio of white red meat intake had a lower TC and LDL. Further nutritional education should be focus on the source of protein food in Taiwanese RTRs.