Living donor nephrectomy: follow-up renal function, blood pressure, and urine protein excretion

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of donor nephrectomy on blood pressure, 24-hour urine protein excretion, and renal function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 198 individuals who donated a kidney between 1991-1996, 101 had their blood pressure, 24-hour urine protein excretion, and serum creatinine concentration levels measured. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.2 +/- 1.6 years (range: 8.5 months to 6.5 years). RESULTS: Serum creatinine concentration was significantly higher (p<.001) at follow-up (107 +/- 20 umol/L) compared to before donation (86 +/- 18 umol/L). When follow-up serum creatinine concentrations were expressed as percentages of their pre-operative values, a gradual decline was observed with time (R= -.380). Diastolic blood pressures (p<.05) and 24-hour urine protein levels (p<.001) were significantly higher at follow-up, however, neither increased with time. The prevalence of hypertension and proteinuria in our donors was no different from that of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Donor nephrectomy does not impair renal function or result in a progressive rise in blood pressure or urine protein excretion up to 6.5 years after nephrectomy.