Hepatitis C Nucleic Acid Test Positive (NAT+) Solid Organ Consent Rates Are Highest in Patients Listed for Liver...

Transplantation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid (NAT) positive organs is associated with shorter time to transplant and decreased risk of death on the waiting list. Treatment for HCV post-transplant is well-tolerated, successful, and leads to similar transplant outcomes to patients transplanted with HCV NAT- organs. Despite these outcomes, not all patients consent to receive HCV NAT+ organs, and factors associated with consent are not well-known.

This retrospective single-center study of adult patients listed for heart, liver, lung, and kidney transplant aimed to determine whether sociodemographic and organ-specific disparities exist in consent for HCV NAT+ donor organs.

Of 2788 transplant candidates, 44% (N = 1229) consented to receive an HCV NAT+ organ. Patients who designated English as their preferred language were more likely to consent compared to a non-English preference (45% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). Consent rates were highest amongst patients listed for liver transplantation compared to kidney, heart, and lung transplants (67%, N = 319 vs. 42%, N = 602 vs. 38%, N = 159 vs. 32%, N = 149; p < 0.001).

Overall, more efforts are needed to ensure that all patients who may benefit from consenting for HCV NAT+ organs are appropriately educated in their language of choice on the risks and benefits.