Do biochemical measures change in living kidney donors?
GROUND: Living kidney donation provides a unique opportunity to assess possible biochemical changes attributable to small decrements in glomerular filtration rate. We reviewed studies which followed 5 or more healthy donors, where changes in biochemical measures or anemia were assessed at least 4 months after nephrectomy. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation databases, and reviewed reference lists from 1966 through June 2006. We abstracted data on study and donor characteristics and biochemical outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Eight studies examined at least one outcome of interest. The average time after donation ranged from 0.4 to 11 years, the postdonation creatinine clearance ranged from 73 to 99 ml/min, and the decrement after donation ranged from 11 to 38 ml/min. Nephrectomy did not change hemoglobin, erythropoietin, serum phosphate, calcium or C-reactive protein levels. The studies were inconsistent as to whether parathyroid hormone levels increased and 1,25-
