Introduction:
Related living donation is the main mode of kidney transplantation in Bangladesh for the last four decades. Long term health issues of kidney donors have never been evaluated in our country. We evaluated living kidney donors’ health issues after a long period of their noble donation.
Methods:
We reached 18 kidney donors at least five years after their kidney donation at Sylhet a divisional city of Bangladesh. Informed written consent was taken. Their surgical notes were reviewed and confirmed before enrolment. Detailed clinical examination and related investigations were done by same nephrologist. Necessary relevant investigations were done at Mount Adora Hospital, Naya Sarak, Sylhet. Those who refused to participate were excluded from the study.
Results:
Among 18 donors 2 (11%) developed hypertension later on . Among them 1 was never aware of his diagnosis of hypertension and diagnosed as hypertensive during our checkup. 1 (5.5%) donor developed Rt sided ureteric stone at his single kidney with renal impairment. He was in the care of both Urologist and Nephrologist. 1 (5.5%) donor developed microalbuminuria with mild renal impairment. The rest of the donors were found in good health. 6 (33.3%) out of 18 donors were not in contact with any follow up with healthcare professionals regarding blood pressure measurement and renal checkup. So, awareness building among living kidney donors is necessary.
Conclusions:
This was the first kind of observational study on living kidney donors in Bangladesh. As there is no renal registry data in Bangladesh, we suggest a larger trial to investigate the long-term health conditions and renal functions of living kidney donors in Bangladesh. Kidney donation is a noble job and kidney donors’ health issues and wellbeing should get a priority by the Bangladeshi health policy makers
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.