Background: Living kidney donation is becoming more significant as the
number of cadaveric transplants remains fairly constant and outcome does
not improve due to accumulation of aged patients with a long time on dialysis. Only 2-3% of kidney transplants in Poland come from the living donors. Lipid profiles of the living donors need to be evaluated in order to stratify cardiovascular risk before donation. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid profile of living kidney donors.
Material/Methods: Between 1995 and 2005, 66 living donor open nephrectomies were performed. Physical examination, blood and urine tests were performed prior to nephrectomy and at every follow-up visit (36 months and every 12 months post-op). Donor mean age was 40.9 years (range 29-60). There were 21 women and 18 men. 27 donors did not report for follow-up visits. Observation period ranged from 36 to 156 months. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total cholesterol concentration >200 mg/dl. Hypertrigyceridemia was defined as triglycerides concentration 150 mg/dl.
Results: Hyperlipidaemia was present in 3 (7.7%) donors prior to surgery.
22 (56.4%) patients developed hyperlipidaemia after donation. Appropriate
treatment was initiated for hyperlipidaemia in the diagnosed patients. 15 patients had mild hyperlipidaemia treated by diet modification and 7 patients needed statin administration. No cases of diabetes mellitus were observed.
Conclusions: Follow-up of living kidney donors' lipid profile should be included in the work-up as prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Kidney Transplantation, Living Donors