Living related and living unrelated kidney transplantations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM

To compare the outcomes between related and unrelated kidney transplantations.

METHODS

Literature searches were performed following the Cochrane guidelines. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis, which included 12 trials that investigated outcomes including the long-term (ten years), mid-term (one to five years), and short-term (one year) graft survival rate as well as the acute rejection rate. Meta-analyses were performed using fixed and random-effects models, which included tests for publication bias and heterogeneity.

RESULTS

No difference in graft survival rate was detected in patients who underwent living related kidney transplantations compared to unrelated ( = 0.44) transplantations after ten years. There were no significant differences between the graft survival rate in living related and unrelated kidney transplantations after a short- and mid-term follow-up ( = 0.35, = 0.46). There were no significant differences between the acute rejection rate in living related and unrelated kidney transplantations ( = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

The long, mid and short term follow-up of living related and unrelated kidney transplantation showed no significant difference in graft survival rate. Also, acute rejection rate was not significantly different between groups.