Kidney transplantation in older patients

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Abstract
Older patients are commonly believed not do as well as younger patients following renal transplantation. Between 1971 and 1988, we performed 88 kidney transplants in patients at least 55 years old. The 1‐yr graft and patient survival for recipients of first cadaver grafts for the entire series were 72.2% and 83.3%, respectively. These survival rates did not differ significantly from patients less than 55 yr old (graft and patient survival 69.0% and 88.6%, respectively, p > 0.05). For recipients of first related grafts at least 55 yr old, 1‐yr graft and patient survival were both 83.3% compared to 83.3% and 94.7% for patients less than 55 yr old (p > 0.05). For the most recent 5‐yr period, 1984‐1988, 1‐yr graft and patient survival of first cadaver grafts were 79.3% and 89.7%, respectively, for older patients compared to 77.3% and 92.3% for younger patients (p > 0.05). Older patients did not have a higher complication rate than younger patients. We believe that there should no longer be an arbitrary upper age limit to renal transplantation. The decision for or against transplantation should be based on the capacity to recover from the operation and to have one's physiologic and psychosocial status improved.