Objective: This study seeks to account for the possibility that single kidney glomerular filtration rate (SKGFR) and donor/recipient (D/R) body surface area (BSA) ratio could act as cofactors for evaluating potential living related donors.
Methods: The study population included 204 cases of LKRs with a functional graft that were regularly followed up for more than 2 years. Based on SKGFR and D/R BSA ratio, the recipients were divided into six groups: group A (SKGFR < 40 mL/min, D/R BSA ratio ≤ 0.8), group B (SKGFR < 40 mL/min, 0.8 < D/R BSA ratio < 1.2), group C (SKGFR < 40 mL/min, D/R BSA ratio ≥ 1.2), group D (SKGFR ≥ 40 mL/min, D/R BSA ratio ≤ 0.8), group E (SKGFR ≥ 40 mL/min, 0.8 < D/R BSA ratio < 1.2), and group F (SKGFR ≥ 40 mL/min, D/R BSA ratio ≥ 1.2). The database included donor, recipient, and transplant variables. Renal function of the recipients was recorded at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-transplantation, respectively.
Results: The declining rate of SCr and graft eGFR in stable periods post-transplantation in group A were always worse than the other five groups, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The declining rate of SCr and graft eGFR in stable periods post-transplantation in groups C and F were always better than the other four groups, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Both SKGFR and D/R BSA ratio should be considered for choosing potential living related donors. Donors with SKGFR < 40 mL/min and D/R BSA ratio ≤ 0.8 should be carefully selected. Satisfactory graft function in donors with SKGFR < 40 ml could be achieved if their D/R BSA ratio is >0.8.
Keywords: Body surface area; glomerular filtration rate; living related kidney recipients.