Renal transplant: gender differences

Abstract

Renal transplantation represents the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease, leading to improved quality of life and life-expectancy for most of the patients. However, gender disparities are evident both in access and in outcomes of kidney transplantation. Women on dialysis are less likely to be on the waiting list for kidney transplantation and to receive an organ from a deceased donor or living donor. Several biological and sociocultural aspects could explain this disparity. On the contrary, more women than men are living kidney donors. Italian women are the first organ donors for living transplants in Europe. The gender difference in living donation is certainly affected by different comorbidities, but such a marked trend highlights a greater predisposition to donate of women, especially in the family context. Some differences are also found in kidney outcomes, even not fully understood. Our paper analyzes the main differences in different aspects of kidney transplantation related to gender, including nutritional aspects.