Demographic Differences Between Two 7-Year Periods of Organ Donation in Iran: A Single-Center Experience

Donor characteristics can directly affect transplant outcomes. In this study, we examined donor patterns in an organ procurement unit, which covered one-third of the population in Tehran, Iran over the past 12 years (2005 to 2018).

Demographic data of donors, including sex, age, cause of death, blood group, outcome of donation, number of organs per donor, and comorbidities (including diabetes mellitus and hypertension), were assessed.

Our analyses included 1848 deceased donors from 2005 to 2018; of these, 649 were female donors (35.11%), and mean age was 37.11 years old. During the study period, donor age significantly increased. The number of pediatric donors under 15 years old decreased from 11.11% to 7.44%, whereas the number of donors under 5 years old significantly increased during the later period. Cause of death shifted to cerebral hemorrhage rather than trauma. We observed a significant increase in donors with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In the early study period, 16% of the donors had these comorbidities; however, in the later period, 31% of the donors had at least 1 risk factor, including diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Number of organs per donor was steady over the study period.

Because donors with brain death are the only source for heart, lung, and liver transplants, it is necessary to determine weak points to reduce lost transplant opportunities.