It is a concern that elderly donors may have increased risks in the peri- and post transplant periods due to age related changes in various organ systems. Nephrosclerosis, atherosclerosis and low glomerular filtration rate may affect their outcome. We performed a retrospective study to determine the outcome of elderly living donors in our center. A retrospective analysis of our live related transplant program from Mar 1976 to Mar 2005 revealed that 92 donors were older than 55 years (range 55 to 69 y) at the time of transplantation. We attempted to contact all donors to determine long-term outcome regarding their remaining kidney. We obtained information on 65 (70.7%) of the donors. All of these donors were subjected to physical examination and laboratory, radiological and electrocardiography investigations All their data were compared to the age matched health tables of the Egyptian general populations. Of the 65 who respond 57% were females, and more than 87% gave their kidneys to their siblings. Eighteen donors became hypertensive (27.7%) and nearly 50% received one drug only. ECG findings showed that 3 donors developed left ventricular hypertrophy and 5 developed arrhythmia. Three donors were diabetics and controlled with oral hypoglycemic drugs. The mean serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance at the follow up was 1.3±0.73 mg/dl (range, 0.7-5.4 mg/dl) and 95.2±29 (range, 31-145 ml/min). Three had abnormal kidney function and the remaining donors had normal kidney function. Five donors developed proteinuria, none of them with nephrotic range proteinuria.The rate of proteinuria and hypertension was similar to the age matched general population.
We conclude that most kidney donors have normal renal function1 to 30 years post donation. However, some may develop renal dysfunction. Our data underscore the need to develop prospective trials for long-term follow up of elderly kidney donors.