OPTN/SRTR 2017 Annual Data Report: Kidney

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Kidney transplantation is a vital treatment for end-stage renal disease.
• The kidney allocation system was updated to optimize organ distribution.
• Monitoring transplant trends is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze key trends in kidney transplantation in 2017.
• To evaluate the impact of the new kidney allocation system.
• To identify areas needing improvement in kidney transplant access and equity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national kidney transplant data from 2017.
• Review of waiting list dynamics and allograft survival rates.
• Assessment of living donor kidney transplant proportions and demographic disparities.

Main Results:

• Deceased donor kidney transplant rates and counts increased.
• The kidney transplant waiting list declined for the third consecutive year.
• Short- and long-term allograft survival rates showed year-over-year improvement.
• The proportion of living donor kidney transplants decreased in adults and children.
• Racial disparities in living donor kidney transplantation widened over the past decade.

Conclusions:

• While overall kidney transplant activity and survival improved, significant challenges remain.
• The new kidney allocation system's long-term effects require ongoing evaluation.
• Addressing persistent access barriers and growing racial disparities in living donor transplants is critical.