Most living donors (LDs) enjoy excellent HRQOL after donation. However, most studies addressing HRQOL in this group have ascertained HRQOL related outcomes only at one time point after donation. To our knowledge, there have been no serial assessment of HRQOL in LDs.

2,024 LDs filled out the SF-36 at one time point after donation of which, 933 filled out the SF-36 at ≥2 time points. We compared the 2024 LDs last survey to general population controls using published scores from the National Health Measurement Survey (NHMS). In the 933 LDs with ≥2 surveys, we compared their responses between the first and last.

Mean age at donation was 40.9±11.4 yrs, 96.3% were White, 72% related to their recipient. Age at the latest survey was 56.2±14.1 yrs and 15.2±12.6 yrs elapsed from donation. For the 933 with ≥2 surveys, 6.0±3.1 yrs elapsed between the first and last survey.

At the last survey, physical component score (PCS) was higher in LDs vs. NHMS controls but the mental component score (MCS) was similar. The individual components are show in Table 1. Longitudinally, PCS declined by almost 3 points but remained in the normative range; MCS was unchanged (Table 2). On one or more surveys, 286 (14%) unique LDs had a PCS <40 and 305 (13%) unique LDs had a MCS <40, indicating physical and mental impairment. Using an adjusted generalized linear model, older age, smoking, longer time from donation and development of DM and CVD were associated with PCS <40. Smoking and development of CVD were also associated with MCS <40. While older age at donation and being related to their recipient was protective against MCS <40.

Conclusion: LDs score better than general population controls in the physical domain and similar MCS score. Importantly, serial PCS decline (3 points) is expected with aging. Development of post-donation DM and CVD adversely affects both physical and mental health.

CITATION INFORMATION: Ibrahim H, Berglund D, Jackson S, Matas A. Evolution of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Kidney Donors. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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