Severe intellectual disability does not preclude renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) in patients with chronic kidney disease is a relative contraindication for kidney transplantation. METHODS: We analysed a retrospective cohort of 16 recipients of kidney transplantation with ID and 83 controls. RESULTS: Graft survival at 5 years was similar between patients (81.2%) and controls (80.2%), P = 0.9. Patient survival at 5 years was lower among patients (81.2% versus 94.4%, P < 0.05). Patients had more infection episodes, but no risk factors were identified. CONCLUSION: Although recipients with ID have lower long-term patient survival, the equivalent graft survival rates support the indication of renal transplantation in such disability.