Exacerbation of Racial Disparities in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to healthcare services globally.
• Transplant services, particularly living donor kidney transplantation, experienced significant operational challenges.
• Existing health disparities may have been exacerbated by the pandemic's impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on living donor kidney transplantation.
• To investigate potential disparities in access to living donor kidney transplantation related to race or ethnicity during the pandemic.
• To highlight the ongoing need for attention to transplant disparities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of transplant service data during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Comparison of living donor kidney transplantation rates before and during the pandemic.
• Examination of demographic data, including race and ethnicity, of patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Main Results:

• Living donor kidney transplantation volumes were significantly impacted by the pandemic.
• Preliminary findings suggest a disproportionate negative effect on Black patients' access to living donor kidney transplantation.
• Disparities in access may be linked to pandemic-related factors and ongoing societal inequities.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities in living donor kidney transplantation.
• Targeted interventions are necessary to ensure equitable access to kidney transplantation for all racial and ethnic groups.
• Continued monitoring and research are essential to address transplant disparities in the evolving pandemic landscape.