Long-term Kidney Function Evolution in Living Kidney Donors: A Single Center Experience

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Living donor kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease.
• Long-term outcomes for kidney donors require further investigation, especially with increasing donor acceptance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term clinical, demographic, and analytical outcomes of kidney donors.
• To assess the impact of pre-donation hypertension on kidney function and long-term donor health.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 60 kidney donors (1985-2021).
• Donors categorized by pre-donation hypertension status.
• Analysis of kidney function (eGFR) and clinical parameters throughout follow-up.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in end-stage kidney disease incidence between hypertensive and normotensive donors.
• A trend towards higher uric acid and lower HDL cholesterol in hypertensive donors pre-donation.
• Post-nephrectomy eGFR decline observed, but stabilized long-term; no donor reached eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusions:

• Kidney donation appears safe long-term, even for donors with adequate pre-donation eGFR and prior hypertension.
• No significant impact of hypertension on long-term estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline was identified.
• Larger studies are recommended to confirm these findings on donor safety and outcomes.