Analysis of Risk Factors for Delayed Graft Function After Kidney Transplantation

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a serious complication associated with worsening outcomes in kidney transplantation. To facilitate DGF risk reduction, this study aimed to identify the incidence and modifiable risk factors of this condition in kidney transplant patients.

This retrospective chart review included 220 patients who underwent kidney transplants between 2012 and 2021 at our kidney transplant center. Delayed graft function was defined as the requirement of hemodialysis within a week of transplantation. Clinical data from patients with DGF and those without this condition were compared to identify risk factors of DGF.

Of 205 eligible patients, 20 (9.76%) developed DGF. In the univariate analysis, high hemoglobin level, deceased-donor type, and longer warm and cold ischemic times were significantly associated with DGF (P < .05). In the variable selection in logistic regression analysis, high hemoglobin level, with a cutoff value of 11.35 g/dL, and deceased-donor transplants were associated with higher DGF incidence (P < .05 for both factors).

Our findings newly demonstrated that DGF occurred more frequently in patients with hemoglobin level >11.35 g/dL. As such, improvement in kidney transplantation outcomes could be achieved by reducing this modifiable risk factor.