Weight trends in United States living kidney donors: Analysis of the UNOS databa

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http://www.wjgnet.com/2220-3230/full/v5/i3/137.htm

Sachdeva M, Rosen LM, Varghese J, Fishbane S, Molmenti EP. Weight trends in United States living kidney donors: Analysis of the UNOS database. World J Transplant 2015; 5(3): 137-144
doi: 10.5500/wjt.v5.i3.137

Correspondence to: Mala Sachdeva, MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, 100 Community Drive, 2nd Floor, Great Neck, NY 11021, United States. msachdeva@nshs.edu

Abstract

AIM: To analyze the national trends associated with body mass index (BMI) and living kidney donation.

METHODS: Forty-seven thousand seven hundred and five adult living kidney donors as reported to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network from 1999 to 2011 were analyzed using their pre-donation BMI. Predictor variables of interest included age, gender, ethnicity, relationship, education status, and transplant region.

RESULTS: Sixteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-one of the living kidney donors were normal weight (35.6%); 19337 were overweight (40.5%); 9007 were mildly obese (18.9%); 1992 were moderate to morbidly obese (4.2%). Overweight and mildly obese kidney donors have increased through time by 12% and 20% every 5 years, respectively (P < 0.05). Donors 35-49 years of age, hispanic males or females and black females, those with high school diploma or general Education Degree, and biologically related or partner/spouses were more likely to be obese.

CONCLUSION: Over the past 13 years, the majority of living kidney donors have spanned the overweight to obese categories. Paralleling the national rise is an increase in overweight and mildly obese kidney donors. A fair number of moderate to morbidly obese living kidney donors are still allowed to donate.

Core tip: The obesity epidemic is increasing. This study was conducted to analyze the national trends associated with body mass index (BMI) and living kidney donation using the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database in the United States. Forty-seven thousand seven hundred and five adult living kidney donors were analyzed according to BMI. Sixty-three point six percent of living kidney donors over the past thirteen years have spanned the overweight to obese categories. The increase in the overweight and mildly obese living kidney donors in our study parallels the national increase in obesity trends. A fair number of moderate to morbidly obese living kidney donors are still allowed to donate. Donors 35-49 years of age, hispanic males or females and black females, those with high school diploma or general Education Degree, and biologically related or partner/spouses were more likely to be obese. Care is advised when allowing donors in this BMI category to donate due to the uncertainty of the long term outcomes. Continued awareness and implementation of programs to limit the obesity crisis are needed.