Long-term renal status of kidney donors: Calculated small risk of kidney donation

In 100 kidney donors studied ten to 20 years after nephrectomy, the serum creatinine level tended to decrease with time after nephrectomy. Twelve of 90 donors had minimal to mild proteinuria; six of the 12 had developed renal-related diseases independent of uninephrectomy. The frequency of hypertension was increased in male donors 50 years of age or older, and hypertensive donors had higher blood pressures prior to donation. In conclusion, (1) kidney donors do not suffer progressive loss of renal function ten to 20 years after nephrectomy, (2) increased protein levels in kidney donors should be investigated before assuming that the proteinuria is related to uninephrectomy, and (3) blood pressure screening should be stringent, particularly in male donors. The small risk of kidney problems in kidney donors probably can be reduced further by adherence to strict criteria in blood pressure screening.