Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of donor and recipient ages on patient and graft survival after kidney transplant.
Methods: Patients in a hospital database undergoing kidney transplant for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the period 1985 to May 2006 (n = 410; mean age 42 +/- 10 years; 61% men and 39% women) were divided into two groups: group A, patients of 60 years or older (6%, n = 24), and group B, those younger than 60 years (94, n = 386). In 204 patients (49.8%) the pancreas was transplanted simultaneously with the kidney.
Results: Overall 1-, 3-, 5-year patient survivals were 92%, 90%, 88% in group A and 95%, 90%, 87% in group B (P = .6, NS). Overall 1-, 3-, 5-year kidney graft was 92%, 75%, 65% in group A and 92%, 84%, 79% in group B (P = .7, NS). Donors were divided into two groups: group 1, 55 years or older (15%, n = 62), versus group 2, those younger than 55 years (85%, n = 348). Overall 1-, 3-, 5-year patient survivals were 91%, 86%, 76% in group 1 and 97%, 94%, 90% in group 2 (P = .0009). Overall 1-, 3-, 5-year kidney graft survivals were 87%, 82%, 76% in group 1 and 94%, 86%, 82% in group 2 (P = .02).
Conclusions: Renal transplantation is an effective option for the treatment of ESRD in elderly patients. The overall rates of patient and kidney graft survival are comparable to those of younger patients. Donor age > or =55 years had a negative effect on patient and kidney graft survival.