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Patient self-referral for kidney transplantation
Transactions - American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Self-referred patients are 20% more likely to receive a kidney transplant and face no increased mortality risk. This suggests offering transplantation to all end-stage renal failure patients is a viable option.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- End-stage renal failure (ESRF) necessitates renal replacement therapy.
- Kidney transplantation is a preferred treatment option for ESRF.
- Referral patterns may influence access to transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare transplant rates and survival between self-referred and physician-referred ESRF patients.
- To evaluate the impact of referral type on transplant access and mortality.
- To inform recommendations for ESRF patient management.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 634 patients referred for transplantation was followed for up to 5 years.
- Patients were categorized into self-referred (149) and physician-referred (485) groups.
- Survival rates were compared between transplanted and non-transplanted patients within each group.
Main Results:
- Self-referred patients had a 20% higher likelihood of receiving a transplant compared to physician-referred patients.
- No significant increase in mortality risk was observed in the self-referred group post-transplant.
- Transplantation outcomes were analyzed in relation to referral source.
Conclusions:
- Self-referral is associated with improved access to kidney transplantation for ESRF patients.
- Transplantation remains a safe and effective treatment for ESRF, regardless of referral type.
- Consideration should be given to encouraging self-referral or optimizing physician referrals for ESRF patients.