The impact of slow graft function on graft outcome is comparable to delayed graft function in deceased donor kidney transplantation

Purpose Slow graft function (SGF) can influence overall prognosis in patients receiving deceased donor kidney transplantation (DKT). However, the impact of SGF on renal function remains uncertain. We investigated retrospectively renal function in cases with SGF compared with early graft function (EGF) and delayed graft function (DGF). Methods Renal function after transplantation was analyzed in 199 patients who underwent DKT. Patients were classified into 130 (65.3 %) cases with EGF, 27 (13.6 %) cases with SGF, 6 (3.0 %) cases with DGF and one dialysis (DGF1), and 36 (18.1 %) cases with DGF and two or more dialyses (DGF2). Results The 1-year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the SGF group was lower than that in the EGF group ( P = 0.027), but the rate of eGFR decline did not differ between the groups. The risk factors for renal function were evaluated using the area under the eGFR curve over 3 years (AUC eGFR ). Donor age was negatively, and recipient age and the number of HLA matches were positively correlated with the AUC eGFR (all P < 0.05). A multivariate analysis revealed that the AUC eGFR was lower in cases of younger recipient age, older donor age, and acute rejection (all P < 0.05). The AUC eGFR was significantly lower in the SGF and DGF2 groups compared with the EGF group ( P = 0.031 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusions SGF may be an independent risk factor for poor renal function after DKT. Moreover, it was comparable to DGF. Efforts should be dedicated to minimizing the development of SGF and DGF.