Renal Transplantation in Recipients Older Than 65 Years: Retrospective Analysis of the Results of a 4-year (2008-2012) Experience

Background We analyze the results of renal transplantation among recipients older than 65 years old over a 4-year period (2008-2012) from a single renal transplantation unit and compare results with younger recipients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 2018 renal transplantations performed between November 2008 and December 2012. The χ² test was used for the comparison of categorical data, and the Student t test was used for the analysis of continuous variables. Patient and graft cumulative actuarial survivals were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and we tested for differences with the Mantel-Cox log-rank test. Results Seventy-five (3.7%) recipients were aged ≥65 years with a median age of 68 (range, 65 to 82) years. Actuarial graft survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 93.8%, 92.5%, and 90.3%, respectively, for the <65 group and 89.7%, 88.1%, and 83.1%, respectively, for the ≥65 group (P <.03). Actuarial patient survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 96.3%, 95.5%, and 94.7%, respectively, for the younger and 91.8%, 90.2%, and 88%, respectively, for the older samples (P <.03). When graft survival was censored for patient death with a functioning kidney at 1, 2, and 3 years, the results were similar between groups with 95.5%, 94%, and 92.8%, respectively, for recipients aged <65 years and 94.7%, 89.2%, and 89.2%, respectively, for recipients aged ≥65 years (P =.213). Conclusions Our results showed that renal transplantation in selected patients older than 65 years was associated with good outcomes; this indicates that it seems safe and effective to treat end-stage renal disease in the elderly knowing there are acceptable rates of graft and patient survival.