Single-centre long-term follow-up of live kidney donors demonstrates preserved kidney function but the necessity of a structured lifelong follow-up

  • Bengt von Zur-Mühlen Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • David Berglund Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Shinji Yamamoto Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Jonas Wadström Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
Keywords: Follow-up, kidney, live, live donors, long-term

Abstract

Background. The increase of live kidney donation (LKD) demands that we scrutinize its long-term consequences. Socialized medicine in Sweden has allowed us to survey long-term consequences of LKD with a high response rate.

Methods. Between 1974 and 2008, 455 LKDs were performed; 28 donors were deceased and 14 had moved abroad at the time of the survey. Of the remaining 413, 96% agreed to participate in a retrospective study with laboratory testing and answering a questionnaire.

Results. Mean age at donation was 49 ± 10 years, and the mean time since nephrectomy was 11 ± 7 years (range 1–33). No death was of renal cause. S-creatinine at follow-up was 93 ± 18 μmol/L, 28% had treated hypertension, of whom only 52% had BP <140/90. Eleven per cent had spot microalbuminuria, and 1% were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Seventy-one per cent had check-ups at least every second year, but 14% had no check-ups. Eighty per cent would be willing to donate again if it were possible, and only 3% regretted the donation.

Conclusion. Renal function is well preserved in the long term after donation, no case of end-stage renal disease was identified, and a large majority of our donors would donate again if it were possible. Although rates of microalbuminuria and hypertension were at expected levels, a significant number of donors demonstrated elevated blood pressure levels and inadequate antihypertensive treatment. A relatively large number of donors did not receive regular check-ups. Both of these issues demonstrate the need for a better-structured lifelong follow-up.

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Published
2014-03-19
How to Cite
von Zur-Mühlen B., Berglund D., Yamamoto S., & Wadström J. (2014). Single-centre long-term follow-up of live kidney donors demonstrates preserved kidney function but the necessity of a structured lifelong follow-up. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 119(3), 236–241. https://doi.org/10.3109/03009734.2014.899654
Section
Original Articles