Op-ndtp190021 1..7

Background. In the elderly, kidney transplantation is associated with increased survival and improved health-related quality of life compared with dialysis treatment. We aimed to study the short-term health economic effects of transplantation in a population of elderly kidney transplant candidates. Methods. Self-perceived health, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs were evaluated and compared 1 year before and 1 year after kidney transplantation in patients included in a single-centre prospective study of 289 transplant candidates 65 years of age. Results. Self-perceived health and QALYs both significantly improved after transplantation. At 1 year, the costs per QALY were substantially higher for transplantation (e88 100 versus e76 495), but preliminary analyses suggest a favourable longterm health economic effect. Conclusions. Kidney transplantation in older kidney transplant recipients is associated with improved health but also with increased costs the first year after engraftment when compared with remaining on the waiting list. Any long-term costeffectiveness needs to be confirmed in studies with longer observation times.