A Single-Center Retrospective Study to Identify Causes of Sex Differences in the Living Kidney Donor Evaluation Process

A Kidney360 study examined the living kidney donor evaluation process to determine the point at which sex imbalance arises. The authors conducted a single institution retrospective chart review of self-referrals for living donor evaluation between 2009-2022. Exclusion at each stage was recorded and compared between sexes using log binomial regression. Overall, there were 1,861 self-referrals (65.2% females, 34.8% males), resulting in 146 approvals and 125 donations (60.8% females, 39.2% males). The adjusted risk ratios indicated no significant differences in completing workup, having contraindications, being approved for donation, and proceeding with donation. Thus, female overrepresentation stems from a 1.9x higher self-referral rate.