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P1673ANEMIA AND DECREASED MUSCLE MASS AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS


 
 
 Post-transplant anemia is highly prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). It is known that anemia impairs health-related quality of life, especially physical functioning. Although surmised, data about the latter are scarce. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between anemia and muscle mass and muscle strength in KTRs.
 
 
 
 We used the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort study, a prospective cohort study among all types of solid organ transplant recipients. For the current study, we used stable KTRs with a functional graft for more than 1 year post transplantation and with data available on hemoglobin levels and muscle mass (n=824). Muscle mass was assessed using 24-hour urinary creatinine excretion. Muscle strength was determined by means of hand grip strength using a dynamometer. Hand grip strength was tested three times with 30 seconds recovery time between attempts. For current analyses, the mean overall hand grip strength was calculated. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men, according to WHO definitions. We used multivariable linear regression analyses to assess associations between anemia and muscle mass and strength.
 
 
 
 We included 824 KTRs (age 56±13 years, 60% males), with a mean hemoglobin of 13.5±1.8 g/dL. Anemia was present in 28% (n=277) of KTRs. Serum hemoglobin was associated with creatinine excretion, independent of age, sex, eGFR, BMI, hs-CRP, smoking status, alcohol use, and the use of RAAS-inhibitors, calcineurin inhibitors, proliferation inhibitors, or prednisolone (β=0.13, P<0.001). Similarly, the presence of anemia was independently associated with a lower creatinine excretion (β=-0.09, P=0.002). In line with creatinine excretion, hemoglobin levels (β=0.15, P<0.001) and the presence of anemia (β=-0.09, P=0.002) were also associated with handgrip strength independent of potential confounders.
 
 
 
 Low hemoglobin levels and anemia are both strongly associated with lower muscle mass and muscle strength in KTRs, likely impairing physical functioning. Future research is needed to address whether correction of anemia improves physical performance in KTRs.
