P1716MULTI-NATIONAL SURVEY AMONG NEPHROLOGISTS & TRANSPLANT SURGEONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY & ACCEPTANCE OF MARGINAL LIVE KIDNEY DONORS REGARDING AGE DISCREPANCY

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Living donor kidney transplantation is the best option for patients on dialysis. There are no guidelines or generally accepted consensus about the acceptable kidney donor age and what is the acceptable donor-recipient age discrepancy. Method This is a cross sectional survey of nephrologists and transplant surgeons about acceptable age of living kidney donors. The survey was sent to participants in different countries and through AST and ERA/EDTA. Results 122 respondents from 22 countries answered 4 questions related to donor age. Most respondents (N=86, 70%) would allow an 18-years old man to donate to his older sibling. However, this percentage would fall to (N=69, 57%) if the donor was an 18-years old woman (P=0.02), reflecting the impact of childbearing period as a major criterion in considering kidney donation. On the opposite side, up to 20% of respondents will decline a very young donor regardless of the gender of the donor. The acceptance rate of a very young donor drops to only 37% if the recipient is 75-year-old (versus 70% in case of younger recipient, P = 0.004). In case of old donor( > 65 years old) old to an 18 year old recipient with expected prolonged waiting time for deceased donor, ( N= 80, 65%) will advise to find an alternative donor but will allow the donation if no alternative donor is available. Conclusion The majority of the nephrologists and transplant surgeons will allow a very young donor to donate to a sibling especially if the donor is a male. However up to 20% will decline this donation regardless of the gender of the donor. The transplant community is divided about allowing a very young donor to donate to a very old recipient. However, the majority will accept > 65 years old donor to donate to an 18 years old recipient with expected prolonged waiting time for deceased donor.