Living donation – any news on the donor?

Abstract

Purpose of review 

Living kidney donation has been an established practice for many years. Although studies from the past decade have uncovered risks to the donor, living kidney donation is still promoted. In this review, the most recent studies are summarized.

Recent findings 

Retrospective studies with long follow-up have detected an increased risk of hypertension among donors. Donors with hypertension at the time of donation may be at increased risk of adverse outcomes, but results differ. Recent studies have not found increased long-term mortality, but follow-up is short and control groups are of different quality.

Summary 

In all, the most recent findings more or less corroborate previous knowledge in the field of living donation. There is still a need for new studies on mortality with appropriate control groups and long enough follow-up.