The Effect of Donor Age on Recipient Kidney Graft Function

Purpose: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a highly morbid and mortal condition. Renal transplantation is the most favorable and preferred solution of this disease. Age is an important factor that can effects the success of transplantation. In this study, we investigated the effect of donor age on the outcomes of kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods: 101 ESRD patients who underwent live or cadaveric kidney transplantation were included and analyzed retrospectively in this study. We reviewed age, sex and body mass index (BMI) of the donors and age, sex, BMI, length of stay, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine measurements of the recipients were recorded. Recipient serum creatinine levels were determined at intervals up to 18 months after transplantation. Results: Donors were divided into 3 groups according to age (50 years (n:34). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of donor's gender, BMI, living/cadaveric ratio, and recipient's gender, age, and BMI (p>0.05). Length of hospital stay of recipients whose donor <40 years old were statistically significantly lower compared to other age groups (p:0.001). From the 1st month to the 18th month, a statistically significant decrease in GFR and an increase in serum creatinine were observed as the donor age increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Donor age is an important factor for the graft survival and for the allocation procedures it should be kept in mind