Outcomes of Kidney Donors With Impaired Fasting Glucose

Background. Many kidney donor candidates with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and all candidates with diabetes are currently excluded from kidney donation, fearing the development of an accelerated course of diabetic kidney disease in the remaining kidney. Methods. We studied mortality, proteinuria, and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in 8280 donors who donated between 1963 and 2007 according to donation fasting plasma glucose (FPG): <100 mg/dL (n = 6204), 100-125 mg/dL (n = 1826), and >= 126 mg/dL (n = 250). Results. Donors with IFG and those with FPG >= 126 mg/dL were older, less likely to be non-Hispanic White, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to be related to their recipient. After 15.7 +/- 10.5 y from donation to study close, 4.4% died, 29.4% developed hypertension, 13.8% developed proteinuria, and 41 (0.5%) developed ESKD. In both the logistic and Cox models, IFG was associated with a higher diabetes risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.30) and hypertension (aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.10-1.65; P = 0.003 for both), but not higher risk of proteinuria or ESKD. The multivariable risk of mortality in donors with >= 126 mg/dL was higher than the 2 other groups, but risks of proteinuria, cardiovascular disease, and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar to those with FPG <126 mg/dL. Three cases of ESKD developed in the 250 donors with FPG >= 126 mg/dL at 18.6 +/- 10.3 y after donation (aHR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.0-27.01; P = 0.04). Conclusions. Donors with IFG and the majority of donors with >= 126 mg/dL do well and perhaps should not be routinely excluded from donation.

Automated summary

The study suggests that kidney donors with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dL may not need to be routinely excluded from donation. Although they have a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension, it does not increase the risk of proteinuria or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).