Long-term risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease in living kidney donors

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term risks of chronic kidney disease and arterial hypertension in living kidney donors. Methods: Donors who were followed for more than 1 year after nephrectomy were included. We assessed each donor's blood pressure, urine protein, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: The follow-up rate was 11% (154 out of 1,356 donors), only 19% of whom were followed by nephrologists. Blood pressure had increased from 113/75 to 116/77 mm Hg (P <.01), urinary protein excretion after donation did not increase, and renal function was well preserved after donor nephrectomy. However, 33 patients (21.4%) showed a decreased eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m ², and 3 donors developed end-stage renal disease that required renal replacement therapy. Conclusions: The follow-up rate of living donors after donation was low, and we observed an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease after donation.