Search Results (59)

Background: Kidney transplantation from a living donor is considered the most beneficial form of treatment for end-stage renal failure, which, in addition to providing patients with better treatment results, significantly improves their quality of life. Understanding factors that influence the willingness to donate kidneys to strangers is critical in promoting and expanding the living donor pool. When considering the decision to become an altruistic kidney donor, individuals must evaluate multiple factors, including the identity of the recipient and their own perceived level of safety. This study aimed to assess the willingness of dialysis center employees to act as living kidney donors for a stranger. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from February 2023 to June 2024 among dialysis specialists across Poland. The study involved 1093 people (doctors and nurses). The study used our survey questionnaire and standardized tools. Results: Nurses (vs. physicians) and those who advocated the regulation of unspecified living kidney donation in Poland, did not believe in the risk of organ trafficking, and would donate a kidney to a husband/wife or friend and accept kidney transplantation from a husband/wife were more likely to donate a kidney to a stranger. Furthermore, respondents who accepted a loved one’s decision to donate a kidney to a stranger were significantly more willing to donate a kidney to such a person themselves. Perceived self-efficacy was positively associated with the willingness to donate a kidney to a stranger. Conclusions: Less than half of healthcare professionals supported unspecific living organ donation in Poland, and nurses were more willing to donate than physicians. The factors supporting the decision generally included knowledge about organ donation and transplantation, a lack of fear of organ trafficking, and attitudes towards donation. Full article

Background: Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a key contributor to graft dysfunction in kidney transplantation. Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is increasingly recognized as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) and biomarker in IRI, but its prognostic role in living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) remains unclear. Methods: This post hoc analysis of the VAPOR-1 study evaluated urinary mtDNA (UmtDNA) in 57 LDKT recipients. MtDNA levels (ND1, ND6, and D-loop) were measured at five early timepoints post-transplantation using qPCR. Associations between early UmtDNA and long-term graft function, defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1, 12, and 24 months, were analyzed. Results: Higher UmtDNA levels in the first urine after reperfusion were significantly associated with improved eGFR at 12 months and a positive change in eGFR between month 1 and 24. These associations were not attributable to urine creatinine levels or mitochondrial copy number. Conclusions: In this LDKT cohort, elevated early UmtDNA may reflect a well-functioning graft capable of clearing systemic mtDNA rather than ongoing tubular injury. These findings suggest that the biological interpretation of mtDNA as a biomarker is context-dependent and call for careful reconsideration of its role in early transplant monitoring. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Kidney transplantation remains the most effective method of renal replacement therapy. Living donor transplantation offers several advantages—reduced cardiovascular risk, better graft survival, and preemptive intervention. However, donor obesity is a growing concern, as it is usually associated with perioperative and long-term complications, which can affect donor eligibility. Bariatric surgery is a standard recommendation for patients with a BMI over 35 kg/m². There are limited data on the use of pharmacological agents for weight reduction in kidney donors. This case presents a successful conservative treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonist in an obese woman wishing to donate a kidney to her son. Case Presentation: We are presenting the case of a 63-year-old woman with grade II obesity who was initially denied being a kidney donor to her son because of her weight. Under these circumstances, she underwent comprehensive lifestyle modification in the cardio-obesitology clinic (caloric restriction, physical activity, and pharmacological treatment with liraglutide). During the 3-month follow-up, she decreased her BMI to 33.4 kg/m², and subsequent examinations confirmed no surgical contraindications to donating a kidney. Despite hematuria, biopsy and genetic testing revealed a benign carrier condition of Alport syndrome, which, without proteinuria or renal impairment, allowed successful kidney donation. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that conservative pharmacological treatment for body weight reduction with GLP-1 receptor agonists may be an alternative to bariatric surgery for selected obese kidney donor candidates. The presented case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary and personalized approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: Living kidney donors (LKDs) can be at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Several conditions are associated with hyperfiltration, such as solitary kidney, obesity, and high protein consumption. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors for kidney function decline in LKDs and the effect of daily protein intake. Methods: Data collected from 220 living kidney donors (mean age: 48.35 ± 12.4 years; 55% female) between 2016 and 2023 were evaluated. One-year and long-term outcomes were evaluated following donor nephrectomy, along with the risk factors for GFR decline and the development of CKD. Results: The percentage of eGFR decline was 31.15 (IQR: 19.81–37.5) in the first year and 28.18 (IQR: 18.75–38.16) in the third year after donation. None of the donors had end-stage renal disease during the 31 (IQR: 19–71) months. CKD developed in 31 (23.1%) LKDs. In the first year, the risk factors associated with a decline in eGFR exceeding 30% included male gender (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11–0.57; p: 0.001) and baseline eGFR value (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92–0.98; p: 0.002). At the final visit, the risk factors were male gender (OR: 7.19; 95% CI: 3.06–16.94; p < 0.001), age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02–1.10; p: 0.001), and BMI (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.23; p: 0.030). For the development of CKD, the risk factors were male gender (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.09–0.71; p: 0.009) and baseline eGFR (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83–0.93; p < 0.001). No association was observed between daily protein intake and renal outcomes in LKDs following donor nephrectomy. Conclusions: In the present study, there was no significant unexpected decline in kidney function in donors in the short-term and the medium-term. Age, BMI, and low basal eGFR values should be carefully considered for LKD evaluation. Furthermore, our findings indicated that protein intake does not substantially impact the GFR. Further controlled studies are required to support our findings. Full article

Living kidney transplantation yields better outcomes for recipients than deceased donation, though it may present long-term challenges for donors. This study assessed the quality of life (QoL) of living kidney donors in Greece using the SF-36 questionnaire and examined associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. This cross-sectional study included 242 clinically stable kidney donors from Laiko General Hospital’s Kidney Donor Outpatient Clinic in Athens. Data on demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and QoL were collected. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used to identify associations between QoL scores and influencing factors. The majority of donors were female (73.55%). Donors reported high QoL, with median PCS and MCS scores of 55.27 (49.08–57.73) and 54.17 (46.64–59.93), respectively. Male donors had higher PCS and MCS scores than females (p = 0.028 and p = 0.004). Laparoscopic nephrectomy was associated with better mental health and physical outcomes compared to open surgery (p < 0.001). Higher education and eGFR correlated with better PCS scores, while older age negatively affected QoL (p < 0.05). Living kidney donors reported a satisfactory level of overall QoL post-donation. Lower QoL scores were correlated with the female gender, older age, and open nephrectomy. These findings may further reinforce support for our current organ donation policy. Non-modifiable factors appear to influence donor quality of life. These findings reinforce the current organ donation policy while emphasizing the need for careful pre-transplant counseling and ongoing monitoring post-donation. Full article

Background: The accurate assessment of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in potential living kidney donors (PLKDs) is essential for successful transplantation and safeguarding kidney donation practice. Scintigraphy-measured GFR (mGFR) is widely regarded as the clinical reference standard. Various estimated GFR (eGFR) equations, such as the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Cockcroft–Gault (CG), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations, have been developed; however, none have been specifically validated for Vietnamese PLKDs. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of eGFR formulas compared to mGFR in PLKDs. Methods: This convenience retrospective study analyzed 189 PLKDs at Cho Ray Hospital in Vietnam from January 2014 to December 2020. The eGFR was calculated using various formulas and compared to the mGFR assessed using ^99mTechnetium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Bias, accuracy, and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the significance of the eGFR values. Results: The median mGFR was 94.20 mL/min/1.73 m² (interquartile range [IQR]: 88.40–100.50). The eGFR values were as follows: 77.52 mL/min/1.73 m² (IQR: 70.50–86.33) for CG; 76.14 mL/min/1.73 m² (IQR: 68.05–83.37) for MDRD; 106.80 ± 15.24 mL/min/1.73 m² for CKD-EPI cystatin C 2012; 96.44 ± 13.40 mL/min/1.73 m² for CKD-EPI creatinine cystatin C 2012; 88.74 ± 13.27 mL/min/1.73 m² for CKD-EPI creatinine 2021; and 101.32 ± 12.82 mL/min/1.73 m² for CKD-EPI creatinine cystatin C 2021. Among these formulas, the CKD-EPI creatinine cystatin C 2012 (P30 = 98.96%) and 2021 (P30 = 97.92%) showed the best consistency with the mGFR, owing to their high accuracy, low bias, and narrow limits of agreement in the Bland–Altman plots. Conclusions: The CKD-EPI equations based on creatinine and cystatin C are reliable tools for donor screening. Full article

Background: Even today, a non-invasive biomarker to identify donors with enhanced risk for renal impairment is missing. Dickkopf 3 (DKK3) can cause tubulointerstitial fibrosis and is associated with rapid eGFR loss. The aim of our work was to analyze whether DKK3 can be used as a non-invasive alert marker for an increased risk of loss of kidney function in living kidney donors (LKDs). Methods: All donors who were examined between July 2022 and June 2023 (n = 117) were included. DKK3 was measured in the urine. The collected patient-related data were compared with parameters before donation. The study cohort was stratified by DKK3 values (</≥200). Results: In the follow-up, 89 donors had a DKK3 value < 200 (group 1) and 28 donors had a DKK3 value ≥200 (group 2). During post-donation follow-up, renal function in group 1 was significantly better than that in group 2 (p = 0.01), although no difference in renal function before donation was detected (p = 0.84). Group 2 showed also a greater eGFR loss over time than group 1. Conclusions: LKDs with elevated DKK3 levels in the FU had impaired kidney function without evidence of increased risk factors pre-donation. DKK3 can represent a possible monitoring tool for kidney function in LKDs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The accurate prediction of postoperative renal function (post-RF) in living kidney donors is essential for optimizing donor safety and long-term health. After nephrectomy, renal function can be significantly altered, owing to the functional adaptation of the remaining kidney; however, the extent of this has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine how various donor factors affect functional adaptation after nephrectomy, and to develop a new predictive model. Methods: In total, 310 patients who underwent donor nephrectomy were included. Preoperative split renal function (pre-SRF) of the remaining kidney was measured. Post-RF was measured 1 month after surgery. The functional adaptation rate was calculated from the difference between pre-SRF and post-RF. Multiple regression analysis was performed to develop a predictive formula for post-RF, incorporating donor age and pre-SRF. Results: The median age of the donors was 60 years, and 38.7% were men. The median pre-SRF was 36.4 mL/min/1.73 m². The median functional adaptation rate was 26.8%, with donor age, pre-SRF, and a history of hyperuricemia (HUA) being significant predictors of the functional adaptation rate. The equation for post-RF was established as 0.94 × pre-SRF − 0.12 × age + 18.87 mL/min/1.73 m². The estimated post-RF showed a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.76), with a mean bias of –0.01 mL/min/1.73 m². Conclusions: Donor age, pre-SRF, and HUA are key predictors of renal functional adaptation after nephrectomy. The developed formula accurately estimates post-RF, supporting clinical decision-making and donor counseling for living kidney donations. Full article

Kidney transplantation (KT) is a preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because it offers better long-term survival and cost-effectiveness compared to dialysis. Significant global disparities persist in access to KT, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to assess the epidemiology and outcomes of KT in LMICs while examining the relationship between a country’s income level and its KT prevalence. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, with searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 31 May 2024. Relevant articles reporting on the epidemiology and outcomes of KT or ESRD patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in LMICs were included. A total of 8054 articles were identified, with 972 articles selected for full-text screening after initial title and abstract review. Following full-text screening, 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. The data showed significant variation in KRT and KT prevalence across different geographical locations. Higher-income countries within LMICs tended to have higher KT prevalence rates. Barriers such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited financial resources, and insufficient organ donation frameworks were identified as contributing factors to the low KT rates in these regions. The study highlights the disparities in KT access and prevalence in LMICs, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and international collaboration to address these gaps. Efforts to increase both living and deceased donor transplants, expand health system capacity, and incorporate KT in healthcare planning are needed to close this gap. Global partnerships spearheaded by organizations such as The Transplantation Society (TTS) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) are crucial for improving KT rates and outcomes in LMICs. Full article

Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) currently represents the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal failure. LDKT is a serious event with profound psychological, interpersonal, familial, and social implications. Over the last few years, there has been an exponential growth in living donation programs involving genetically and emotionally related donors, as well as people who donate to an unrelated and unknown subject. The implementation of paired exchange programs, Samaritan donation, and preemptive transplantation raise further ethical issues, which are inextricably linked to the unique psychosocial context of both the donor and the recipient. The present narrative review aims to provide an update on the main ethical challenges related to LDKT. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed/Medline. The results of the most relevant studies were narratively synthesized from a psychosocial perspective around the four principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Finally, we discussed the potential future directions to provide an effective, patient-centered, and ethical psychosocial assessment and follow-up of living donors and recipients that underwent LDKT. Full article

Background: The rising frequency of live kidney donations is accompanied by growing ethical concerns as to donor autonomy, the comprehensiveness of disclosure, and donors’ understanding of long-term consequences. Aim: To explore donors’ satisfaction with the ethical competence of multi-professional nephrology teams regarding disclosure of donation consequences to live kidney donors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among Israeli live kidney donors who had donated a kidney in two hospitals that belonged to the Ministry of Health’s Transplantation Center one year after the donation, from December 2018 to December 2020. Data collection was conducted online and through face-to-face interviews with the donors in their native language (Hebrew or Arabic). Results: Overall, 91 live kidney donors aged 18–49 years were enrolled. Of those, 65.9% were males, and 54.9% were academic donors. Among the live kidney donors, 59.3% reported that the motivation behind the donation was a first-degree family member vs. 35.2% altruistic and 5.5% commercial. Only 13.2% reported that the provided disclosure adequately explained the possible consequences of living with a single kidney. Approximately 20% of the participants reported that the disclosure included information regarding their risk of developing ESRD, hypertension, and proteinuria. The donors reported a low mean of the index score that indicates a low follow-up by the physician after the donation (mean = 1.16, SD = 0.37). The mean GFR level was significantly lower in the post-donation period one year following a kidney donation (117.8 mL/min/1.73 m²) compared with the pre-donation period (84.0 mL/min/1.73 m²), p < 0.001. Conclusion: Our findings display that donors’ satisfaction with the ethical competence of multi-professional nephrology teams regarding the disclosure of donation consequences to live kidney donors is low. This study indicates that donors are at an increased risk of worsening kidney functions (creatinine and GFR), and BMI. Our findings underscore the imperative to advise donors that their condition may worsen over time and can result in complications; thus, they should be monitored during short and long-term follow-up periods. This study was not registered. Full article

Background: Robotic-assisted nephrectomy for living kidney-donation (RANLD) has the potential of becoming the leading technique of harvesting kidney, if expertise is available. The aim of this work is to present our initial experience with robotic technique with additional hand-assistance. Materials and Methods: We initiated RANLD at our clinic using the DaVinci System in September 2022, since then harvesting six kidneys, four left and two right; in two cases, multiple arteries existed. The renal vessels were ligated using vascular staplers. All the operations included a hand-assist with the use of Gelport. The mean operation time was 119.2 min (SD 12 min). Results: There were no conversions or donors’ post-operative complications. Time of discharge from the hospital was 4.5 days post-operatively. Total hospital length of stay was 7.8 days. All the harvested kidneys were transplanted, five of them with adequate function, three with initially delayed function, and one needed to be removed due to thrombotic complications. Post-operative was pain assessed on the VAS scale and overall pain was assessed according to the NRS scale. At the discharge day, donors’ performance status was about 87.5% according to the Karnofsky scale. The donors resumed their normal life activity within 15.7 days and returned to work within 45.2 days. The serum mean creatinine level before the donation was 0.85 mg/dL (SD 0.1 mg/dL), and mean eGFR (MDRD) = 91.8 mL/min/1.73 m² (SD 16.1 mL/min/1.73 m²). Conclusions: Further development of RANLD could lead to an increase in the number of living kidney donors, particularly in Poland where the number is currently lower than that of deceased donors. Prolonged operation time, longer warm ischemic time, and high equipment costs are significant drawbacks of RANLD. Full article

Introduction: Evaluation of post-nephrectomy social health in living kidney donors is essential. This systematic review examines their emotional need for social relatedness post-donation. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Results: Among the screened records, 32 quantitative and 16 qualitative papers met the inclusion criteria. Quantitative research predominantly utilized questionnaires featuring generic items on social functioning. However, a minority delved into emotional and social dimensions, aligning with qualitative studies emphasizing the importance of social connection and perceived social support post-donation. Specifically, post-donation changes in connecting with others encompass a sense of belongingness, heightened autonomy, shifts in concern for the recipient’s health, and continued care by shielding the recipient from personal health issues. Social acknowledgment and social support from both close and extended networks are reported as relevant for recovery after nephrectomy. Discussion: These findings underscore the necessity for targeted measures of emotional needs and social functioning to effectively assess post-donation adjustment. They also inform the identification of key health themes for kidney donor Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) questions. Full article

In the evolving landscape of nephrology and kidney transplants, assessing renal functional reserve (RFR) in living kidney donors is essential for ensuring donor safety and successful transplantation. This study explores the use of the Intra-Parenchymal Renal Resistive Index Variation (IRRIV) test, a novel non-invasive method, to measure RFR in living donors. Our observational study included 11 participants undergoing living kidney donations, evaluated using the IRRIV-based Renal Stress Test (RST) before and 12 months post-nephrectomy. The study demonstrated significant changes in creatinine and eGFR CKD-EPI levels post-donation, with an average creatinine rise from 69 to 97 µmol/L and a reduction in eGFR from 104 to 66 mL/min/1.73 m². These variations align with the expected halving of nephron mass post-nephrectomy and the consequent recruitment of RFR and hyperfiltration in the remaining nephrons. This pilot study suggests that the IRRIV-based RST is a practical, safe, and reproducible tool, potentially revolutionizing the assessment of RFR in living kidney donors, with implications for broader clinical practice in donor eligibility evaluation, even in borderline renal cases. Furthermore, it confirms the feasibility of RST in living kidney donors and allows us to assess the sample size in 48 donors for a future study. Full article

Background: The global scarcity of organs for kidney transplants (KTs) has led to the increased acceptance of living donors (LDs) with minor abnormalities to increase the donor pool.. We sought to evaluate the effects of some of these LDs’ clinical characteristics (older age, borderline renal function, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity) on graft outcomes. Methods: We studied 352 recipients of LDKTs (1998–2020). Firstly, considering the recipients and KT variables, we identified relevant predictors of overall and censored graft failure (GF). Then, adjusting for these predictors, we explored LD variables as predictors of overall and censored GF in a multivariable Cox model. Results: The recipients from LD with higher eGFR (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m²) had significantly better overall and censored graft survival GS) at 15 y after KT (respectively, 67 and 75% vs. 46 and 46%, p < 0.001). Importantly, none of the remaining LD factors which were evaluated (hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, proteinuria, and obesity) were independent predictors of GF. In recipients from LDs < 50 y, having an eGFR < 90 was an independent predictor of overall GF [adjusted HR (95%CI) of 2.578 (1.120–5.795)] and censored GF [adjusted HR (95%CI) of 3.216 (1.300–7.959)], compared to recipients from LDs with eGFR ≥ 90. Contrarily, when donors were older, no difference in the risk of GF was observed between eGFR categories. Conclusion: In our cohort, lower pre-donation eGFR had an impact on GS only in younger LDs. An age-adjusted eGFR cutoff may be pursued for improved donor admissibility. Full article