Living kidney donor transplantation is the preferred treatment option for end-stage renal disease. However, living kidney donation rates have plateaued in North America. Existing studies analyze the living kidney donor (LKD) population in order to explain this phenomenon, but little is known about LKD candidates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate temporal trends in Canadian LKD candidates and identify characteristics associated with a candidate's likelihood of donating.

This retrospective cohort study includes all LKD candidates (n=2070) referred to our institution between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015. LKD candidate characteristics were evaluated over three time periods: 2006-2009, 2010-2012, and 2013-2015. Univariable analyses using logistic regression evaluated which LKD candidate characteristics were associated with living kidney donation.

Over time, LKD candidates were older, and a higher proportion were unemployed, had a history of hypertension and a BMI of >35. Candidates who were single, Black, and hypertensive were least likely to donate, while those who were 35-54 years old, non-Black, and had a normal BMI were most likely to donate (Table 1). The percentage of candidates that donated decreased after 2010, as shown in Table 2.

Despite consistent or increasing referrals of LKD candidates at our institution, living kidney donation has decreased. This study demonstrates a changing profile of LKD candidates over time at our institution, which may explain this phenomenon. Further study is needed to determine specific reasons for LKD candidate rejection.

CITATION INFORMATION: Singh S., DiCecco V., Luo M., Li Y., Famure O. Temporal Trends in Living Kidney Donor Candidates Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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