Temporal Changes in Deceased Kidney Donor Characteristics in Australia

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Kidney transplantation is crucial due to high demand and limited deceased donor supply in Australia.
• Donor characteristics may have evolved to meet demand over two decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in deceased kidney donor characteristics in Australia.
• To assess changes in donor quality and associated risk factors over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of all deceased kidney donors transplanted in Australia.
• Data collected from the Australian and New Zealand Organ Donor Registry between 1994 and 2013.

Main Results:

• Donor numbers increased, with a rise in average donor age and BMI.
• Proportion of donors with hypertension and diabetes increased significantly.
• Kidney donor risk index rose, indicating an increase in medically higher-risk donors.

Conclusions:

• Increased deceased kidney donor numbers have broadened the donor pool, including more high-risk donors.
• A decline in overall donor quality necessitates adaptation in organ allocation strategies.
• Evolving kidney allocation algorithms are essential for equitable and effective use of deceased donor kidneys.