Follow-up reporting for living kidney donors (LKDs) provides important information about short-term risks. On 2/1/13, the OPTN implemented reporting thresholds for clinical data (60% of LKDs) and lab data (50% of LKDs).

The cohort was LKDs who donated in the US between February and December of 2007-2013. Outcomes were timely reporting (w/in 60 days of donation anniversary) of (a) clinical data (dialysis, hypertension, diabetes, complications, readmission, employment, cause of death) and (b) lab data (serum creatinine, urine protein) on 6-month OPTN Living Donor Follow-up forms.

National rates of timely clinical data increased from 26.5% of LKDs in 2007 to 71.8% in 2013. 19.1% of LKDs had timely lab data in 2007, vs. 66.5% in 2013. In 2013, 4.1% of LKDs had no form completed or were reported as not seen or lost, and 2.4% of LKDs declined follow-up.

The percentage of programs meeting the new policy thresholds also increased. 76.1% of 209 programs met the 60% clinical data threshold for the 2013 cohort, v. 61.7% in 2012. 81.3% of programs met the 50% lab data threshold for 2013, v. 62.2% in 2012. Clinical and lab reporting ranged from 0-100% in 2013, (clinical median=79.1%; lab median=75.0%).

Of the 50 programs (23.9%) that missed the clinical data threshold in 2013, 37 programs (74.0%) needed timely clinical data for ≤5 additional LKDs to meet the threshold.

The dramatic increase since 2007 demonstrates programs' willingness and ability to improve their LKD follow-up reporting, both before and after implementation of the new policy. Most programs were able to meet the new policy thresholds. Donor unwillingness to participate was not a major barrier.

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