Introduction : Long-term management for controlling modifiable risks is critical. Poor transplantation prognosis is associated with drinking, smoking, and obesity relapse. Previous studies on health behavior factors, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, and obesity, after organ transplantation are limited on the number of participants available. Furthermore, studies in Asian countries are scarce. Therefore, we investigated the health behavior of patients during pre- and post-transplantation in liver and kidney transplantation and associated factors using the national health insurance claim data, which covers >98% of the population in an East-Asian country.

Methods : Using the National Health Insurance Service claim database, 3,753 liver and 6,469 kidney recipients were included. Health behaviors were defined based on information obtained from a questionnaire and health examinations. Association between considered factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Results : Current drinking was associated with males, obesity, and the number of years since the transplantation for both transplantation recipients. A history of diabetes and exercise status showed an opposite relationship for liver recipients and kidney recipients. Male sex, current drinking, and no exercise were associated with smoking after transplantation. Obesity showed an opposite result for post-transplantation smoking. Absence of hypertension was associated with lower obesity for both transplantation recipients. The number of years after transplantation increased negative health behaviors. Patient’s lifestyle before transplantation was associated with post-transplantation lifestyle.

Conclusions : Health behaviors during pre- and post-transplantation were associated. For kidney and liver transplantation, contradicting associations exists; therefore, the management of transplantation should be based on characteristics of specific organs.