*Purpose: Psychosocial factors, including mental health status, are an important part of donor evaluation due to its altruistic nature. Yet, little is known about the prevalence of depression and anxiety in potential live kidney donors and its impact on their mental well-being after donation. Aims of the current study: 1) to examine the temporal changes in prevalence of depression and anxiety among potential live kidney donors and 2) to explore psychosocial outcomes after donation.

*Methods: Retrospective cross sectional analyses of all potential live kidney donors who contacted the University of Michigan Kidney Transplant Program in the first half of 2010 and 2017. Donor candidates were grouped based on year of contact. Demographics, medical and social history, and self-reported history of depression and anxiety were compared between the two groups. All potential live kidney donors with mental health disorder history were evaluated by transplant psychiatry prior to donation. Starting mid-2017, all donors were surveyed about their mental wellness at UNOS mandated follow-up. The t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.

*Results: There were 363 live kidney donor referrals in first half of 2010 and 380 in 2017. No differences in age, gender, body mass index, and history of hypertension between the two groups. There were fewer proportion of potential donors who were related to the recipient (58% vs. 47%; p=0.02) and black donors (8.5% vs. 4.7%; p <0.01) in 2017 than 2010. There was an increase in prevalence of self-reported history of depression (15% vs. 25%; p <0.001), anxiety (2% vs. 17%; p<0.001) and use of psychopharmacological medications (7.8% vs. 15%; p<0.001) in potential donors from 2017 than 2010. We found an increase in non-directed donors (3% vs. 5%; p=0.05) and among them there was an increase in proportion with history of depression or anxiety (10% vs. 55%; p<0.01). There was no difference in proportion of donors using opiates, marijuana, or alcohol. In 2010, there were 65 live kidney donor referrals with self-reported depression and/or anxiety, of which 13 were cleared to donate (20%); while in year 2017, out of 117 only 11 (9.4%) were cleared to donate. Of the 11 donors with history of anxiety/depression, 6 completed the survey on mental wellness. Three of them reported of lack of energy early after donation but did well after. This was similar to what was reported by 14 donors without such a history. One donor with history of depression and anxiety who did not take the survey was admitted to a rehabilitation institute for alcohol abuse.

*Conclusions: Our study shows that prevalence of depression and/or anxiety among potential live kidney donors has increased from 2010 to 2017, especially among non-directed donors. Donors with such a history may experience low-levels of energy soon after donation. Transplant centers should assess donors’ mental well-being at UNOS mandated follow-up and provide additional support if needed. Additional studies are needed to verify our findings.

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