How body fat and muscle affect recovery and quality of life after lung transplant

The impact of body composition on peri-operative and patient-centered outcomes in lung transplantation.

['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11146424

This research looks at whether body fat, muscle mass, and related body-measure tests predict complications, survival, and quality of life for people getting lung transplants.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11146424 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you are evaluated for or receive a lung transplant, researchers will measure your body composition using tools like bioelectrical impedance (BIA), CT scans, and DXA scans. They will follow you through the transplant surgery period to record perioperative complications (including primary graft dysfunction), survival, and patient-reported outcomes such as functioning and health-related quality of life. The study will compare people with obesity, low muscle mass (sarcopenia), or sarcopenic obesity to see who is at higher risk of complications and poorer quality of life afterward. Findings may be used to guide targeted pre-transplant optimization or post-transplant care for people at higher risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People being evaluated for or listed for lung transplantation, and those scheduled to undergo lung transplant surgery, are the ideal candidates for this research.

Not a fit: People without lung disease, not undergoing transplantation, or unable to attend in-person body-composition testing would not be direct candidates and are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians identify transplant candidates at higher risk and tailor pre- and post-transplant interventions to improve survival and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, including work from this team, have linked obesity and low muscle mass to worse transplant outcomes, but applying BIA broadly and defining 'sarcopenic obesity' in this setting is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.