OBJECTIVE To determine whether discontinuation of insulin therapy and glucose monitoring and instructions to increase dietary salt and water intake after pancreas transplantation (PTX) resulted in changes in food choices.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS All PTX recipients who had completed a preoperative diet record, had received their PTX > 6 months before, had stable pancreas and kidney function, and were on a stable diet were invited to submit a 3-day post-PTX diet record. Of the 14 eligible, 11 agreed to participate and completed the study (2 women and 9 men). Their pre- and post-PTX diet records were analyzed by computer program. Weight, glycohemoglobin, blood pressure, medications, and fasting lipids both before and after PTX were also analyzed.

RESULTS The recipients were studied 576 ± 60 days post-PTX, on average. Total calories and BMI were unchanged after PTX. Before PTX, 34% of calories were in fats, 49% in carbohydrate, and 17% in protein with no change in distribution of calories after PTX, although there was a trend toward greater saturated fat intake. Total salt intake was increased after PTX (P < 0.01) because of sodium bicarbonate administration, although dietary salt intake did not change. The HDL cholesterol concentration increased and cholesterol-to-HDL ratio decreased after PTX (P < 0.05), while the remaining lipids were unchanged.

CONCLUSION Weight, total calories and distribution of calories, and dietary salt were unchanged after PTX, and diet did not explain the changes in HDL cholesterol or cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. These preliminary diet results suggest that greater emphasis on dietary instruction may be needed after PTX.