Living kidney donors >60 years of age: is it acceptable for the donor and the recipient?

Transpl Int. 2006 Mar;19(3):213-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2006.00264.x.

Abstract

Donors >60 years are now frequently accepted for living kidney transplantation (LKT). We asked whether a donor age >60 years may result in a higher risk for donor and recipient. All adult LKT from May 1996 to June 2005 were included. Long-term outcome was analysed, and results were compared for donors >60 and <or=60 years. Thirty-five grafts were obtained from donors >60 (group A) and 158 from donors <or=60 years (group B). In group A 40% and in group B 37% of grafts came from unrelated donors (P = 0.769). The mean hospital stay of donors was 8 days in group A and 7 days in group B (P = 0.171). The complication rate was 11% in group A and 17% in group B (P = 0.409). Following LKT primary graft function was observed in 97% in group A and 96% in group B. One- and 5-year graft survival was 97% and 90% in group A and 99% and 91% in group B. For the first 2 years, mean serum creatinine was significantly higher in recipients of group A. Thereafter, values were comparable for both groups. As excellent results are achievable using living donors >60 years, we suggest that age should no longer be considered as a contra-indication for living donation.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Female
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Risk
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Creatinine