OPTN/SRTR 2023 Annual Data Report: Deceased Organ Donation

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Science
• Organ Donation Statistics
• Public Health

Background:

• The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) monitors organ donation and transplantation data.
• Trends in deceased donor numbers and characteristics are crucial for understanding the organ supply.
• Organ nonuse represents a critical area for improvement in maximizing transplantation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the 2023 data for deceased organ donors and organ utilization.
• To analyze trends in donor characteristics and causes of death.
• To quantify the number of organs transplanted and not used.

Main Methods:

• Data extracted from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
• Analysis of variables including organs recovered per donor, transplanted per donor, and nonuse.
• Comparison of 2023 data with previous years, particularly 2013 and 2022.

Main Results:

• Deceased donors increased by 9.6% in 2023 to 16,335, continuing a decade-long trend.
• Donor mechanisms of death show a rise in drug intoxication and cardiovascular causes, with a decrease in trauma-related deaths.
• Total organs transplanted reached 40,588 in 2023, with all organ types showing an increase; however, a significant number of organs were not used.

Conclusions:

• The organ donation and transplantation system is experiencing growth in donor numbers and overall transplants.
• Shifting donor demographics necessitate adaptation in organ recovery and allocation strategies.
• Reducing organ nonuse is a key opportunity to enhance transplant rates and address organ shortages.