Equity of access to renal transplantation: a European perspective.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Renal transplantation offers the chance for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to have a significantly longer, healthier and better quality life compared with remaining on dialysis. Inequities have been demonstrated at multiple points in the transplantation pathway. In this review, the factors contributing to inequity in access to renal transplantation will be explored from a European perspective.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Despite improvements in patient assessment and revision of organ-offering schemes, there remain persistent inequities in access to the waiting list, allocation of a deceased donor transplant, receiving a living donor transplant and achieving preemptive transplantation. Older age, lower socioeconomic status and health literacy are key factors that continue to impact equity of access to transplantation.

SUMMARY:

A number of modifiable factors have been identified affecting access to transplantation, Increased patient education together with a better access to and promotion of living donation may help address some of these inequities.

• Authors: Diana A Wu, Gabriel C Oniscu
• Journal: Current opinion in organ transplantation (Curr Opin Organ Transplant) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 347-352 (08 01 2021) ISSN: 1531-7013 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34074941 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Health Services Accessibility
• Humans
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (surgery)
• Kidney Transplantation
• Renal Dialysis
• Waiting Lists