Observation
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World J Transplant. Feb 24, 2012; 2(1): 5-8
Published online Feb 24, 2012. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v2.i1.5
Long-term renal function, complications and life expectancy in living kidney donors
Masahiko Okamoto
Masahiko Okamoto, Department of Surgery, Akita Hospital, Chiryu 472-0056, Japan
Masahiko Okamoto, Department of Transplantation and General Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
Author contributions: Okamoto M solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Masahiko Okamoto, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Akita Hospital, Chiryu 472-0056, Japan. amoto@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-566-812763 Fax: +81-566-834862
Received: July 14, 2011
Revised: December 19, 2011
Accepted: February 23, 2012
Published online: February 24, 2012
Abstract

Living kidney transplantation is now a widely accepted treatment for end stage renal disease (ESRD) because it provides excellent outcomes for recipients. However, long-term outcomes of living kidney donors have not been well understood. Because securing the safety of the donor is essential to the continued success of this procedure, we reviewed articles discussing long-term outcomes of living kidney donors. Most studies found no decrease in long-term survival or progressive renal dysfunction in previous kidney donors. Moreover, the prevalence of hypertension was comparable to that expected in the general population, although some did report otherwise. Urinary protein showed small increases in this population and was associated with hypertension and a lower glomerular filtration rate. Quality of life following living kidney donation seems to be better than the national norm. We also encountered several reports of ESRD in previous living kidney donors. Regular follow-up of kidney donors is recommended and future controlled, prospective studies will better delineate risk factors which cause health problems following living kidney donation.

Keywords: Living kidney donor; Long-term survival; Hypertension; Proteinuria; Renal function; Quality of life