*Purpose: Based on Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients reporting, the proportion of patients 65 years or older on the kidney transplant (KT) waiting list has continued to increase, from 16.2% in 2007 to 23.1% in 2017. United Network for Organ Sharing data reports that 21% of KT in 2018 were done in patients < 65 years old (yo). However, many transplant centers use an age cut off for KT candidacy. The aim of this study was to examine transplant outcomes in septuagenarians at the time of kidney transplantation.

*Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients >= 60 yo, who underwent a KT in our center between 1/2013-8/2019. These patients were then divided into a “60-70” age cohort, and a “>70” age cohort. Recipient demographic data was reviewed, and Chi square test was used to compare categorical variables. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare continuous variables.

*Results: In the study period over 6.5 years, 202 patients aged 60-70 yo, and 88 patients > 70 yo underwent a KT. Recipient demographics were comparable between both groups, as shown in Table 1. Anti-thymocyte globulin and basiliximab were used for induction in the 60-70, and >70 age groups respectively, per center protocol. Mean last serum creatinine was 1.64mg/dL versus (vs) 1.51mg/dL, in the 60-70 vs >70 (p=0.1108), at a follow up interval of 39.3 vs 35.7 months respectively (p=0.2111). We noted 20 deaths, and 7 graft losses in the 60-70 group vs 12 deaths, and 4 graft losses in the >70 group (p=0.3263). In a sub-analysis, there were 6 deaths and 3 allograft failures in 54 patients in the 71-75 yo group at a median follow up of 36.6 months, vs 6 deaths and one failure in 34 patients >75 yo at 35.4 months median follow up (p for all comparisons = NS).

*Conclusions: Kidney transplantation is the best form of renal replacement therapy for all age groups. Our study demonstrates comparable patient and allograft outcomes for the >70 age group, versus the 60-70 age group. These findings emphasize the importance of considering patients’ biological age, comorbidities, and frailty, when assessing their candidacy for kidney transplantation, rather than strict chronological age.

Table 1:

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