Attitudes and knowledge about transplantation in dialyzed patients requesting a cadaveric kidney graft

Eighty-two patients answered a multiple choice questionnaire aimed at identifying their presumed and actual knowledge regarding transplantation, given immediately before evaluation by our transplant team for inclusion on our kidney transplant waiting list.

A total of 78% stated that they had no or incomplete knowledge of transplantation and 22% were very well informed. The mean score for technical knowledge of transplantation (duration, requirement for removal of native kidneys, possibility of obtaining a second transplant, duration of immunosuppressive therapy and duration of the risk of rejection) was 3.1 +/- 0.15 SEM (maximal possible score 5), that for risk knowledge (risks of infections, unpleasant side effects, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, viral infections and cancer) was 1.4 +/- 0.15 (maximal possible score 6). A total of 23% knew that the spouse could donate a kidney, 74% stated that only a blood relative could and 3% that living donation was impossible.

There is scarce knowledge about transplantation, especially with regard to the risks and living donation.