THE INFLUENCE OF INCREASED AGE AND AGE MATCHING ON GRAFT-SURVIVAL AFTER 1ST CADAVERIC RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

We examined the influence of donor and recipient age as well as close donor and recipient age matching by analysis of the actuarial survival of 397 consecutive first cadaveric renal transplants carried out in the years 1987 to 1990. Graft failure was defined as return to dialysis, transplant nephrectomy, or death of the recipient from any cause. Overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year actuarial graft survival was 87, 84, and 79%. No effect on graft survival in adult patients was seen of advanced age of either donor or recipient. The source of the donor whether from within or outside the North Western Regional Health Authority did not influence outcome whatever the donor age. Results from patients in whom the donor was within 5 years of the recipient's age were no different from those obtained when the age difference was greater than 5 years. These data do not support the hypothesis that close age matching influences graft survival. Age matching need not be used as a recipient selection criterion. As neither recipient nor donor age influenced early graft survival, consideration should be given to increasing the average age of both donors and recipients.