A prospective comparative study from India between living genetically related and unrelated donor renal transplants

Abstract

Background: India has a significant backlog in terms of renal transplant waiting lists, and progress of deceased donor transplant is limited by social and cultural hurdles. Newer strategies in living donation are needed. Materials and Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted at our tertiary hospital over 3 years, between living related donor (LRD) and living unrelated donor (LURD) renal transplant outcomes, chiefly acute rejection and graft dysfunction. Confounding variables and outcome parameters such as mortality, hospital stay >21 days, and complications were recorded for 6 months. Results: LRD (n = 78) and LURD (n = 42) groups differed significantly in median recipient age (25 [22–34] vs. 40 [33–50] years; P 3 (3/78 [3.8%] vs. 32/78 [76.2%]; P 21 days, or complication rate. Among factors predictive for acute rejection, only anastomotic time had a significant association (β coefficient = 0.006 [0.001–0.010]; Pearson's coefficient “r” =0.208; P < 0.01), while for early graft dysfunction, it was only mean donor nephrectomy time in minutes (β coefficient=-0.002 [−0.004–0.000]; Pearson's coefficient “r” = −0.158; P = 0.042). Conclusion: Despite differences in HLA-mismatches and age, LRD and LURD had a similar short-term outcome with respect to acute rejection and graft dysfunction. This is linked to better and standardized immunosuppression available, making it possible to expand the scope of LURD beyond spousal, within the legal and ethical boundaries.

Keywords

• acute rejection
• living related donors
• renal transplant
• unrelated spousal donors