Outcomes in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: The Role of Donor's Kidney Function

Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is one of the best therapeutic options for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Guidelines identify different estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) thresholds to determine the eligibility of donors. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether pretransplant donor eGFR was associated with kidney function in the recipient.

We retrospectively studied LDKT recipients who received a kidney graft between September 1, 2005, and June 30, 2016 in the same transplant center in France and that had eGFR data available at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months posttransplant.

We studied 90 donor-recipient pairs. The average age at time of transplant was 51.47 ± 10.95 for donors and 43.04 ± 13.52 years for recipients. Donors' average eGFR was 91.99 ± 15.37 mL/min/1.73 m2. Donor's age and eGFR were significantly correlated (p < 0.0001, r2 0.023). Donor's age and eGFR significantly correlated with recipient's eGFR at 3, 12, and 24 months posttransplant (age: p < 0.001 at all intervals; eGFR p = 0.001, 0.003, and 0.016, respectively); at 36 months, only donor's age significantly correlated with recipient's eGFR. BMI, gender match, and year of kidney transplant did not correlate with graft function. In the multivariable analyses, donor's eGFR and donor's age were found to be associated with graft function; correlation with eGFR was lost at 36 months; and donor's age retained a strong correlation with graft function at all intervals (p < 0.001).

Donor's eGFR and age are strong predictors of recipient's kidney function at 3 years. We suggest that donor's eGFR should be clinically balanced with other determinants of kidney function and in particular with age.