The risk of death for individuals donating a kidney has significantly decreased over the past decade, marking a pivotal advancement in medical safety. A comprehensive study involving 164,593 kidney donors reveals a substantial drop in mortality rates, highlighting the progress in surgical procedures and post-operative care. The study, published in JAMA, utilized data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
The mortality rate for kidney donors has declined from 3 per 10,000 in 1993-2002 to 2.9 per 10,000 in 2003-2012, and further to 0.9 per 10,000 in 2013-2022. This downward trend illustrates an enhancement in donor safety, with most deaths occurring within the first seven days post-surgery. Despite this improvement, the risk of death is not entirely eliminated.
Dr. Dorry Segev, a transplant surgeon at NYU Langone Health, emphasized that these findings will aid doctors in better informing potential donors about the procedure's risks. This information could be crucial in addressing the shortage of kidney donors in the United States, where nearly 90,000 individuals await transplants and the average wait time spans three to five years. Annually, approximately 27,000 kidney transplants are performed, making kidneys the most commonly transplanted organ.
In previous decades, male donors and those with a history of high blood pressure faced a higher likelihood of mortality within 90 days post-surgery. However, advancements in medical practices have mitigated these risks substantially.
Tracy McKibben, chair of the board of directors at the National Kidney Foundation, personally experienced the positive impact of kidney donation when she donated a kidney to her mother in 2009. McKibben noted the profound improvement in her mother's quality of life following the transplant.
“It was just a world of difference for her and a world of difference for me,” – Tracy McKibben
The study's findings have been met with optimism within the medical community. Dr. John Friedewald expressed hope that increased safety will encourage more individuals to consider donating.
“Anything that comes along that says being a living donor is getting safer and safer over time will hopefully encourage more people to step forward and donate and give the gift of life,” – Dr. John Friedewald
Consistency in messaging is crucial for those involved in patient care, as emphasized by Dr. Kassem Safa.
“It’s really important for us as a community that takes care of these patients to make sure the message is consistent,” – Dr. Kassem Safa
While the study underscores increased safety, Dr. Safa reminds potential donors that there are no direct medical benefits for them.
“The first thing we tell donors is you don’t have to do this and you’re not going to get any medical benefits from it,” – Dr. Kassem Safa
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