Outcomes of Kidney Donors over 60 Years Old: A Single-Center Cohort Study

To evaluate outcomes and post-donation kidney function of older living kidney donors (LKD).

Retrospective analysis of prospective database including all consecutive LKD undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy in a single center (09/1998-12/2013). LKD aged ≥60 years were compared to younger LKD. Renal function assessed by creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). Surgical complications classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using linear mixed effect models were performed to determine factors (age, gender, hypertension status, BMI, choice of better functioning kidney for donation) that might impinge on renal function after donation.

213 LKD were identified: 49 older (median age: 66 years, range: 60-79) and 164 younger (median age: 46, range: 25-59). Mean operative time (149 vs. 152 min, p = 0.69), conversion to laparotomy (n = 1 vs. 3, p = 0.92), grade III-IV complications (n = 4 vs. 2, p = 0.36) were similar. Older had more grade I-II complications (n = 18 vs. 4, p < 0.001). Despite similar pre-donation eGFR (80 vs. 84 ml/min/1.73 m²), older donors presented significantly lower eGFR during inpatient period (46 vs. 51 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.0003), at 1 month (51 vs. 58 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.002) and at 1 year (54 vs. 62 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted to gender, hypertension status, BMI and choice of better functioning kidney for donation showed that at 1 year, age ≥60 affected renal function by a coefficient of 0.91 (p < 0.001).

Despite renal function improvement after discharge, LKD ≥ 60 years presented lower eGFR than younger at one year and had more grade I-II surgical complications.