Renal Transplantation in Recipients Older Than 65 Years: Retrospective Analysis of the Results of a 4-year (2008–2012) Experience

Abstract

BackgroundWe analyze the results of renal transplantation among recipients older than 65 years old over a 4-year period (2008–2012) from a single renal transplantation unit and compare results with younger recipients. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 2018 renal transplantations performed between November 2008 and December 2012. The χ2 test was used for the comparison of categorical data, and the Student t test was used for the analysis of continuous variables. Patient and graft cumulative actuarial survivals were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and we tested for differences with the Mantel-Cox log-rank test. ResultsSeventy-five (3.7%) recipients were aged ≥65 years with a median age of 68 (range, 65 to 82) years. Actuarial graft survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 93.8%, 92.5%, and 90.3%, respectively, for the <65 group and 89.7%, 88.1%, and 83.1%, respectively, for the ≥65 group (P < .03). Actuarial patient survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 96.3%, 95.5%, and 94.7%, respectively, for the younger and 91.8%, 90.2%, and 88%, respectively, for the older samples (P < .03). When graft survival was censored for patient death with a functioning kidney at 1, 2, and 3 years, the results were similar between groups with 95.5%, 94%, and 92.8%, respectively, for recipients aged <65 years and 94.7%, 89.2%, and 89.2%, respectively, for recipients aged ≥65 years (P = .213). ConclusionsOur results showed that renal transplantation in selected patients older than 65 years was associated with good outcomes; this indicates that it seems safe and effective to treat end-stage renal disease in the elderly knowing there are acceptable rates of graft and patient survival.