![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
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.
Key words::
Acknowledgements
We thank all of the donors for their contribution to the kidney recipients and all of the nurses and physicians who helped us with the physical examinations at the donors' local nephrology departments. B.v.Z.-M. participated in the design of the study, performed research, collected and analysed data, and wrote the manuscript. D.B. collected data and reviewed the manuscript. S.Y. collected data and reviewed the manuscript. J.W. participated in the design of the study, collected and analysed data, and helped to write and review the manuscript.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.