Gender and living donor kidney transplantation

Abstract

Renal transplantation is the first choice of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. It offers a longer life span, a better quality of life, and lower health care costs as compared to long-term dialysis. In the past years, a constantly rising demand of kidneys on the one hand and a shortage of disposable organs on the other hand pose a growing challenge on transplant medicine. Donor and recipient gender may influence many aspects of kidney transplantation, but the nature of these interactions is still unclear. This article summarizes a part of our present knowledge in the field of gender-related kidney donation and kidney transplantation. Causes for gender disparity and its consequences will be discussed. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.