Nephrectomy-induced reduced renal function and the health-related quality of life of living kidney donors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health impact of nephrectomy on living kidney donors (LKDs) by comparing the health-related quality of life (HrQOL) scores measured by Short Form-36 (SF36) between those with and without postdonation renal function impairment (PRFI).

METHODS: Eighty-two LKDs (47 females, mean age=50.2±11.2 years) were prospectively recruited to participate in a SF-36 HrQOL survey. Chart review, individual baseline, and postoperative renal function (eGFR) was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. PRFI was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or proteinuria. Mean SF-36 domain scores were compared between those with and without PRFI.

RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.7 years, the prevalence of postdonation comorbidities was 29.3% (n=24) PRFI, 25.6% (n=21) hypertension, 6.1% (n=5) diabetes, and 3.7% (n=3) heart disease, and no LKDs developed end-stage renal disease. Mean eGFR before and after donor nephrectomy was 95.5±23.4 and 71.0±17.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P<.01). Mean SF-36 scores of LKDs were not significantly different between those with and without PRFI in all the domains (all P>.05). Similarly, the proportion of LKDs with PRFI did not differ significantly between the patients with SF-36 domain scores above and below the published reference values.

CONCLUSION: Nephrectomy-induced PRFI may not have a significant impact on the HrQOL of the LKD population with a low proportion of other major comorbidities such as diabetes and ischemic heart disease.