Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology
Volume 12, Issue 1 , Pages 12-19, April 2010

Outcomes of Renal Transplantation in Elderly Patients: Experience From Two Centers

  • Man-Wai Lo

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr. Lo Man-Wai, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR. Fax: (+ 852) 23542221
    • ,
  • Siu-Ka Mak

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Matthew K.L. Tong

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Hilda W.H. Chan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Samuel K.S. Fung

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Hon-Lok Tang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Yuk-Yi Wong

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Kwok-Chi Lo

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Shuk-Fan Chan

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Gensy M.W. Tong

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Kin-Yee Lo

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Ping-Nam Wong

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
    • ,
  • Andrew K.M. Wong

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

Article Outline

Background

Elderly patients are the fastest growing age group in end-stage renal failure. Data from overseas show that transplantation is a safe and reliable mode of treatment for this group of patients. However, local data about the outcome in these patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the outcomes of renal transplantation among elderly recipients and younger recipients.

Methods

Using the Organ Registry and Transplant System in Kwong Wah Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, adult patients who had undergone renal transplantation and who had been followed-up by the two medical units were recruited. They were divided into the control group (age < 60) and the elderly group (age ≥ 60) according to age at transplantation. The following data were collected for cross-sectional analysis: comorbid illnesses, transplantation details, immunosuppressive therapy, incidence and severity of acute rejections, incidence of infection and malignancy, graft and patient survival, and causes of graft loss and death.

Results

A total of 324 episodes of transplantation were recorded (266 controls and 58 elderly). The incidence of acute rejection was higher in the control group (18% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.08). There was a trend towards higher incidence of infection and malignancy in the elderly group, though the difference did not reach statistical significance. The graft survival rate was similar in the two groups, while the 5-year patient survival rate was worse in the elderly group (92.1% vs. 79.3%, p = 0.0058).

Conclusion

The transplantation outcomes in elderly recipients are satisfactory, and age per se should not be considered a contraindication to transplantation.

Key words:  elderly , renal transplantation , treatment outcome

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PII: S1561-5413(10)60004-X

doi:10.1016/S1561-5413(10)60004-X

Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology
Volume 12, Issue 1 , Pages 12-19, April 2010

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