Can Seniors Donate a Kidney Safely? New Research Brings Good News

A 12-year study found that carefully selected older kidney donors maintained stable kidney function after donation.

For many older adults, the decision to donate a Kidney to a loved one comes with a deeply personal question: will they remain healthy afterward? New research brings encouraging news. A study following carefully selected older adults for more than a decade found that many maintained stable kidney function after donation, suggesting that age alone may not be the defining factor in successful long-term outcomes for living kidney donors (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Long-term kidney outcomes after living donation in older adults: clinical findings and equation-dependent eGFR estimates

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Researchers analyzed data from 131 living kidney donors and found a consistent pattern across multiple methods used to estimate kidney function. Although kidney function declined immediately after donation, it remained stable over time, highlighting the importance of evaluating an individual’s overall health rather than relying solely on chronological age when considering living donation.

What Happens to Kidney Function After Kidney Donation in Older Adults?

Kidney Donation Outcomes in Older Adults

Living kidney donation from older individuals is increasingly considered, but long-term kidney outcomes remain incompletely understood. The impact of different eGFR equations on risk assessment in older donors also remains unclear.

The analysis included 131 living kidney donors aged 60 years or older at the time of donation, with a median follow up of 12 years. Researchers assessed kidney function using three commonly applied eGFR equations at baseline, one year after donation, and during long term follow up.

12-Year Study Reveals Long-Term Outcomes in Living Kidney Donors

Across all assessment methods, kidney function demonstrated a similar pattern, with an initial reduction following kidney donation followed by long term stability. Although 37.0% of donors experienced an eGFR decline greater than 40%, chronological age, including age 70 years or older, was not associated with a faster long-term reduction in kidney function.

The findings suggested that biological and cardiometabolic factors were more influential than age alone when evaluating long term kidney donation outcomes (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Long-term kidney outcomes after living donation in older adults: clinical findings and equation-dependent eGFR estimates

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Which Health Factors Influence Kidney Function After Donation?

Factors Influencing Long Term Kidney Function

The study identified several factors associated with a steeper decline in renal function after kidney donation. Reduced renal adaptation at 1 year, baseline hypertension, higher body mass index (BMI), and female sex were independently linked with less favorable long term kidney trajectories.

Among donors who maintained preserved kidney function, defined as an eGFR of at least 45 mL/min/1.73 m², albuminuria helped identify a subgroup with potentially less favorable renal outcomes.

The researchers also found that the classification of kidney function varied considerably depending on the eGFR equation applied, particularly at 1 year after donation. These findings highlighted the importance of evaluating kidney function trends over time rather than relying only on single threshold measurements (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
WHO-ONT

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Is Kidney Donation Safe for Older Adults?

Assessing Risk After Kidney Donation

Relevant perioperative complications were uncommon, occurring in 2.3% of donors, and no donor required renal replacement therapy during follow up. The findings support the continued consideration of kidney donation among selected older individuals when comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken.

Why Long-Term Monitoring Matters for Older Kidney Donors

Conclusion

Together, these findings reinforce an important message: with careful selection, individualized risk assessment, and ongoing follow-up, many older adults can continue to be considered for living kidney donation. As transplant needs continue to grow worldwide, understanding how age, biology, and long-term kidney health interact may help clinicians and families make more informed decisions for years to come.

References:

1. Long-term kidney outcomes after living donation in older adults: clinical findings and equation-dependent eGFR estimates – (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-026-07826-8)
2. WHO-ONT – (https://www.transplant-observatory.org/)







Source-Medindia