Live kidney donor assessment in the UK and Ireland

Background: The criteria and methods for assessing live kidney donors are n ot clear. This study was undertaken to establish whether there is a consens us regarding the organization and methods of assessment of living kidney do nors by renal transplant centres in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Methods: All transplant centres in the UK and Ireland involved in living do nor kidney transplantation were contacted by telephone survey followed by p ostal questionnaire. Results: Considerable variation was observed in the organization of living kidney donor evaluation and the methods of assessment used. The upper and l ower age limits considered acceptable for kidney donation were variable, wi th six of 29 centres setting no lower age limit and 11 setting no upper age limit. Four centres do not currently offer living donor kidney transplanta tion. Of the 29 centres involved with living donor transplantation ten had no protocol for donor assessment. A dedicated transplant coordinator/nurse practitioner was employed by 20 centres and ten routinely used an independe nt medical assessor to evaluate living related donors. The frequency and du ration of donor follow-up after kidney donation also varied widely, with 18 centres providing life-time, seven limited and three no follow-up after in itial postoperative assessment. Conclusion: The wide variation in organizational structure and method of as sessment of living kidney donors in the UK and Ireland supports the need fo r establishment of guidelines for this practice.