Early complications common in older kidney transplant recipients

29 Sep 2026, 21:40 · Medical Xpress

by Lori Solomon

Robert Egan

Senior Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

reputable news agency

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

Early complications are common in older kidney transplant recipients, according to a study published in the October issue of Transplantation Direct.

Dr. Daniele Vetrano, from Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues identified pretransplant factors associated with a complicated early posttransplant course in older recipients. The analysis included 93 kidney transplant recipients age 65 or older.

The researchers found that 61 recipients (65.6%) experienced a complicated in-hospital course. Longer dialysis vintage and donor hypertension were associated with higher odds of the composite outcome of a hospital stay >15 days, infectious complications, delayed graft function, primary nonfunction or in-hospital death. Preemptive transplantation and living donation were associated with lower odds of the composite outcome.

During a median follow-up of 29.8 months, patients with a complicated early course had higher rates of the composite clinical end point, hospitalization and infection, although these differences were not statistically significant in Cox regression analyses. In those with a complicated course, the crude estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower; however, kidney function was similar after adjustment for the discharge estimated glomerular filtration rate.

"Although individuals with an initially complicated in-hospital course experienced more subsequent adverse events, postdischarge clinical outcomes and adjusted graft function remained comparable to those of recipients with an uncomplicated course, suggesting that timely recognition and effective management of early complications may mitigate their longer-term impact," the authors write.

More information

Predictors of Early Posttransplant Complications and Clinical Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Aged ≥65 y, Transplantation Direct (2026). DOI: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000002004. www.ovid.com/jnls/transplantat … txd.0000000000002004

Key medical concepts

Kidney TransplantationEstimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

Clinical categories

Nephrology Who's behind this story?

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Early complications common in older kidney transplant recipients (2026, September 29) retrieved 29 September 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-early-complications-common-older-kidney.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.