1
|
Nishio Lucar AG, Patel A, Mehta S, Yadav A, Doshi M, Urbanski MA, Concepcion BP, Singh N, Sanders ML, Basu A, Harding JL, Rossi A, Adebiyi OO, Samaniego-Picota M, Woodside KJ, Parsons RF. Expanding the access to kidney transplantation: Strategies for kidney transplant programs. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15315. [PMID: 38686443 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is the most successful kidney replacement therapy available, resulting in improved recipient survival and societal cost savings. Yet, nearly 70 years after the first successful kidney transplant, there are still numerous barriers and untapped opportunities that constrain the access to transplant. The literature describing these barriers is extensive, but the practices and processes to solve them are less clear. Solutions must be multidisciplinary and be the product of strong partnerships among patients, their networks, health care providers, and transplant programs. Transparency in the referral, evaluation, and listing process as well as organ selection are paramount to build such partnerships. Providing early culturally congruent and patient-centered education as well as maximizing the use of local resources to facilitate the transplant work up should be prioritized. Every opportunity to facilitate pre-emptive kidney transplantation and living donation must be taken. Promoting the use of telemedicine and kidney paired donation as standards of care can positively impact the work up completion and maximize the chances of a living donor kidney transplant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angie G Nishio Lucar
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Ankita Patel
- Recanati-Miller Transplantation Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shikha Mehta
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Anju Yadav
- Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mona Doshi
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Megan A Urbanski
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Neeraj Singh
- Willis Knighton Health System, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - M Lee Sanders
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Organ Transplant Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Arpita Basu
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica L Harding
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ana Rossi
- Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Oluwafisayo O Adebiyi
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University Health Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald F Parsons
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvannia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McMichael LC, Gill J, Kadatz M, Lan J, Landsberg D, Johnston O, Keenan S, Ferre E, Harriman D, Gill JS. High-Functioning Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant System Characteristics: The British Columbia Experience With an Opt-In System. Kidney Med 2024; 6:100812. [PMID: 38665993 PMCID: PMC11044131 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2024.100812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale & Objective A high level of cooperation between organ procurement organizations and transplant programs may help maximize use of deceased donor kidneys. The practices that are essential for a high functioning organ donation and transplant system remain uncertain. We sought to report metrics of organ donation and transplant performance in British Columbia, Canada, and to assess the association of specific policies and practices that contribute to the system's performance. Study Design A retrospective observational study. Setting & Participants Referred deceased organ donors in British Columbia were used in the study from January 1, 2016, to December 31 2019. Exposures Provincial, organ procurement organization, and center level policies were implemented to improve donor referral and organ utilization. Outcomes Assessment of donor and kidney utilization along steps of the critical pathway for organ donation. Analytical Approach Deceased donors were classified according to the critical pathway for organ donation and key donation and transplant metrics were identified. Results There were 1,948 possible donors referred. Of 1,948, 754 (39%) were potential donors. Of 754 potential donors, 587 (78%) were consented donors. Of 587 consented donors, 480 (82%) were eligible kidney donors. Of 480 eligible kidney donors, 438 (91%) were actual kidney donors. And of 438 actual kidney donors, 432 (99%) were utilized kidney donors. One-year all-cause allograft survival was 95%. Practices implemented to improve the system's performance included hospital donor coordinators, early communication between the organ procurement organization and transplant nephrologists, dedicated organ recovery and implant surgeons, aged-based kidney allocation, and hospital admission of recipients before kidney recovery. Limitations Assignment of causality between individual policies and practices and organ donation and utilization is limited in this observational study. Conclusions In British Columbia, consent for donation, utilization of donated kidneys, and transplant survival are exceptionally high, suggesting the importance of an integrated deceased donor and kidney transplant service.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan C. McMichael
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Transplant Epidemiology Group, Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jagbir Gill
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Matthew Kadatz
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - James Lan
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David Landsberg
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olwyn Johnston
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sean Keenan
- British Columbia Transplant, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - David Harriman
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - John S. Gill
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alvarez A, Montgomery A, Galván NTN, Brewer ED, Rana A. Predicting wait time for pediatric kidney transplant: a novel index. Pediatr Nephrol 2024:10.1007/s00467-023-06232-1. [PMID: 38216782 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06232-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over one thousand pediatric kidney transplant candidates are added to the waitlist annually, yet the prospective time spent waiting is unknown for many. Our study fills this gap by identifying variables that impact waitlist time and by creating an index to predict the likelihood of a pediatric candidate receiving a transplant within 1 year of listing. This index could be used to guide patient management by giving clinicians a potential timeline for each candidate's listing based on a unique combination of risk factors. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 3757 pediatric kidney transplant candidates from the 2014 to 2020 OPTN/UNOS database was performed. The data was randomly divided into a training set, comprising two-thirds of the data, and a testing set, comprising one-third of the data. From the training set, univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify significant predictive factors affecting wait times. A predictive index was created using variables significant in the multivariable analysis. The index's ability to predict likelihood of transplantation within 1 year of listing was validated using ROC analysis on the training set. Validation of the index using ROC analysis was repeated on the testing set. RESULTS A total of 10 variables were found to be significant. The five most significant variables include the following: blood group, B (OR 0.65); dialysis status (OR 3.67); kidney disease etiology, SLE (OR 0.38); and OPTN region, 5 (OR 0.54) and 6 (OR 0.46). ROC analysis of the index on the training set yielded a c-statistic of 0.71. ROC analysis of the index on the testing set yielded a c-statistic of 0.68. CONCLUSIONS This index is a modest prognostic model to assess time to pediatric kidney transplantation. It is intended as a supplementary tool to guide patient management by providing clinicians with an individualized prospective timeline for each candidate. Early identification of candidates with potential for prolonged waiting times may help encourage more living donation including paired donation chains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Alvarez
- Office of Student Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Ashley Montgomery
- Office of Student Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nhu Thao Nguyen Galván
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eileen D Brewer
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abbas Rana
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Emanuels D, Copeland T, Johansen KL, Brar S, McCulloch CE, Kadatz M, Gill JS, Ku E. Association Between Transplant Center Continuity and Access to a Second Kidney Transplant in Patients With Allograft Failure. Am J Kidney Dis 2024; 83:122-125. [PMID: 37657638 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Emanuels
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Timothy Copeland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Kirsten L Johansen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sandeep Brar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Charles E McCulloch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Matthew Kadatz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John S Gill
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elaine Ku
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gonzalez Sepulveda JM, Mehrotra S, Yang JC, Schantz KJ, Becker Y, Formica R, Ladner DP, Kaufman D, Friedewald J. Physician Preferences when Selecting Candidates for Lower-Quality Kidney Offers. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 18:1599-1609. [PMID: 37729938 PMCID: PMC10723918 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.0000000000000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, more than 50% of kidneys in the lowest 15% quality range (those with Kidney Donor Profile Index >85) are discarded. Studies suggest that using more of these kidneys could benefit patients waiting for a transplant. This study assesses the trade-offs physicians make when selecting recipients for lower-quality kidneys. METHODS A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was administered to surgeons and nephrologists in the United States who are involved in kidney acceptance decisions. The DCE presented kidneys that varied in terms of Kidney Donor Profile Index, expected cold ischemia time, donor age, pump parameters, serum creatinine levels, glomerulosclerosis, donor diabetes status, and whether donation was made after circulatory death. Candidate characteristics included recipients' age, diabetes history, time on dialysis, ejection fraction, HLA mismatch, calculated panel reactive antibody, and Karnofsky performance score. Regression analysis was used to estimate acceptability weights associated with kidney and recipient characteristics. RESULTS A total of 108 physicians completed the DCE. The likelihood of acceptance was significantly lower with deterioration of kidney quality, expected cold ischemia time at transplantation, and missing biopsy and pump information. Acceptance was prioritized for patients who were higher on the waiting list, younger recipients, those who have spent less time on dialysis, and those without a history of diabetes. Performance status (Karnofsky score) and calculated panel reactive antibody also had a statistically significant but smaller association. Finally, ejection fraction had a marginally significant association, and HLA match had no significant association with the acceptance of marginal kidneys. A group of respondents were found to be primarily concerned about cold ischemia time. CONCLUSIONS In this DCE, physicians considered the recipient characteristics that inform expected post-transplant survival score when they decided whether to accept a marginal kidney for a given recipient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan M. Gonzalez Sepulveda
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Sanjay Mehrotra
- Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Jui-Chen Yang
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Yolanda Becker
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Richard Formica
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Daniela P. Ladner
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dixon Kaufman
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - John Friedewald
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Husain SA, Yu ME, King KL, Adler JT, Schold JD, Mohan S. Disparities in Kidney Transplant Waitlisting Among Young Patients Without Medical Comorbidities. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:1238-1246. [PMID: 37782509 PMCID: PMC10546295 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.5013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Importance Disparities in kidney transplant referral and waitlisting contribute to disparities in kidney disease outcomes. Whether these differences are rooted in population differences in comorbidity burden is unclear. Objective To examine whether disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting were present among a young, relatively healthy cohort of patients unlikely to have medical contraindications to kidney transplant. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used the US Renal Data System Registry to identify patients with end-stage kidney disease who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019. Patients who were older than 40 years, received a preemptive transplant, were preemptively waitlisted, or had documented medical comorbidities other than hypertension or smoking were excluded, yielding an analytic cohort of 52 902 patients. Data were analyzed between March 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s) Kidney transplant waitlisting after dialysis initiation. Results Of 52 902 patients (mean [SD] age, 31 [5] years; 31 132 [59%] male; 3547 [7%] Asian/Pacific Islander, 20 782 [39%] Black/African American, and 28 006 [53%] White) included in the analysis, 15 840 (30%) were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, 11 122 (21%) were waitlisted between 1 and 5 years after dialysis initiation, and 25 940 (49%) were not waitlisted by 5 years. Patients waitlisted within 1 year of dialysis initiation were more likely to be male, to be White, to be employed full time, and to have had predialysis nephrology care. There were large state-level differences in the proportion of patients waitlisted within 1 year (median, 33%; range, 15%-58%). In competing risk regression, female sex (adjusted subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.94), Hispanic ethnicity (SHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.80), and Black race (SHR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.64-0.68) were all associated with lower waitlisting after dialysis initiation. Unemployment (SHR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.45-0.48) and part-time employment (SHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70-0.77) were associated with lower waitlisting compared with full-time employment, and more than 1 year of predialysis nephrology care, compared with none, was associated with greater waitlisting (SHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.46-1.56). Conclusions and Relevance This retrospective cohort study found that fewer than one-third of patients without major medical comorbidities were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, with sociodemographic disparities in waitlisting even in this cohort of young, relatively healthy patients unlikely to have a medical contraindication to transplantation. Transplant policy changes are needed to increase transparency and address structural barriers to waitlist access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Miko E. Yu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L. King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Jesse D. Schold
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Colorado–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lopez R, Mohan S, Schold JD. Population Characteristics and Organ Procurement Organization Performance Metrics. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2336749. [PMID: 37787992 PMCID: PMC10548299 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule updating the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) Conditions for Coverage. This rule evaluates OPO performance based on an unadjusted donation rate and an age-adjusted transplant rate; however, neither considers other underlying population differences. Objective To evaluate whether adjusting for age and/or area deprivation index yields the same tier assignments as the cause, age, and location consistent (CALC) tier used by CMS. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cross-sectional study examined the performance of 58 OPOs from 2018 to 2020 across the entire US. A total of 12 041 778 death records were examined from the 2017 to 2020 National Center for Health Statistics' Restricted Vital Statistics Detailed Multiple Cause of Death files; 399 530 of these met the definition of potential deceased donor. Information about 42 572 solid organ donors from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients was also used. Statistical analysis was performed from January 2017 to December 2020. Exposure Area deprivation of donation service areas and age of potential donors. Main Outcome and Measures OPO performance as measured by donation and transplant rates. Results A total of 399 530 potential deceased donors and 42 572 actual solid donor organs were assigned to 1 of 58 OPOs. Age and ADI adjustment resulted in 19.0% (11 of 58) to 31.0% (18 of 58) reclassification of tier ratings for the OPOs, with 46.6% of OPOs (27 of 58) changing tier ranking at least once during the 3-year period. Between 6.9% (4 of 58) and 12.1% (7 of 58) moved into tier 1 and up to 8.6% (5 of 58) moved into tier 3. Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study of population characteristics and OPO performance metrics found that adjusting for area deprivation and age significantly changed OPO measured performance and tier classifications. These findings suggest that underlying population characteristics may alter processes of care and characterize donation and transplant rates independent of OPO performance. Risk adjustment accounting for population characteristics warrants consideration in prospective policy and further evaluation of quality metrics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Lopez
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jesse D. Schold
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zecher D, Tieken I, Wadewitz J, Zeman F, Rahmel* A, Banas* B. Regional Differences in Waiting Times for Kidney Transplantation in Germany. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2023; 120:393-399. [PMID: 37097064 PMCID: PMC10433364 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to achieve short ischemia times between organ donation and transplantation, regional organ allocation has been assigned priority in the development of allocation rules for kidney transplantation. It is unclear whether this leads to differences in regional waiting times in Germany. METHODS A retrospective cohort study over a 24-month observation period was conducted, including all patients who received a kidney-only graft allocated via the standard Eurotransplant Kidney Allocation System (ETKAS) (n = 1487) or the Eurotransplant Senior Program (ESP) (n = 566). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate differences in waiting times across the regions (ETKAS) or subregions (ESP) as defined by the German Organ Procurement Organization (DSO). Associations between the number of regionally procured kidneys (n = 1444) and regional waiting times were investigated. RESULTS In ETKAS, the median waiting time was 8.9 years (interquartile range [IQR] 6.7-10.6); in ESP, it was 3.9 (2.4 -5.3) years. Compared with the reference region with the shortest waiting time, waiting times in other regions were 0.6 to 1.7 years longer in ETKAS and 1.3 to 4.4 years longer in ESP. The ratio of the number of patients on the waiting list for a particular region to the number of organs donated in that region was associated with the waiting time in ETKAS (R2 = 0.70). In ESP, this association was markedly less pronounced (R2 = 0.45). CONCLUSION In Germany, waiting times depend strongly on the region where a patient is listed for kidney transplantation, especially in ESP. These findings call the current allocation algorithms into question and imply a need for suitable modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zecher
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Florian Zeman
- Center for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Axel Rahmel*
- *These two authors are co-last authors
- German Organ Procurement Organization (DSO), Frankfurt am Main
| | - Bernhard Banas*
- *These two authors are co-last authors
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
King KL, Husain SA, Yu M, Adler JT, Schold J, Mohan S. Characterization of Transplant Center Decisions to Allocate Kidneys to Candidates With Lower Waiting List Priority. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2316936. [PMID: 37273203 PMCID: PMC10242426 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.16936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Allocation of deceased donor kidneys is meant to follow a ranked match-run list of eligible candidates, but transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization have full discretion to decline offers for higher-priority candidates and accept them for lower-ranked candidates at their center. Objective To describe the practice and frequency of transplant centers placing deceased donor kidneys with candidates who are not the highest rank at their center according to the allocation algorithm. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used 2015 to 2019 organ offer data from US transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization, following candidates for transplant events from January 2015 to December 2019. Participants were deceased kidney donors with a single match-run and at least 1 kidney transplanted locally and adult, first-time, kidney-only transplant candidates receiving at least 1 offer for a locally transplanted deceased donor kidney. Data were analyzed from March 1, 2022 to March 28, 2023. Exposure Demographic and clinical characteristics of donors and recipients. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcome of interest was kidney transplantation into the highest-priority candidate (defined as transplanted after zero declines for local candidates in the match-run) vs a lower-ranked candidate. Results This study assessed 26 579 organ offers from 3136 donors (median [IQR] age, 38 [25-51] years; 2903 [62%] men) to 4668 recipients. Transplant centers skipped their highest-ranked candidate to place kidneys further down the match-run for 3169 kidneys (68%). These kidneys went to a median (IQR) of the fourth- (third- to eighth-) ranked candidate. Higher kidney donor profile index (KDPI; higher score indicates lower quality) kidneys were less likely to go to the highest-ranked candidate, with 24% of kidneys with KDPI of at least 85% going to the top-ranked candidate vs 44% of KDPI 0% to 20% kidneys. When comparing estimated posttransplant survival (EPTS) scores between the skipped candidates and the ultimate recipients, kidneys were placed with recipients with both better and worse EPTS than the skipped candidates, across all KDPI risk groups. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of local kidney allocation at isolated transplant centers, we found that centers frequently skipped their highest-priority candidates to place kidneys further down the allocation prioritization list, often citing organ quality concerns but placing kidneys with recipients with both better and worse EPTS with nearly equal frequency. This occurred with limited transparency and highlights the opportunity to improve the matching and offer algorithm to improve allocation efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L. King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Miko Yu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Jesse Schold
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Friedewald JJ, Schantz K, Mehrotra S. Kidney organ allocation: reducing discards. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2023; 28:145-148. [PMID: 36696090 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The donation and kidney transplant system in the United States is challenged with reducing the number of kidneys that are procured for transplant but ultimately discarded. That number can reach 20% of donated kidneys each year. RECENT FINDINGS The reasons for these discards, in the face of overwhelming demand, are multiple. SUMMARY The authors review the data supporting a number of potential causes for high discard rates as well as provide potential solutions to the problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Schantz
- Northwestern University Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Sanjay Mehrotra
- Northwestern University Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maldonado AQ, Bradbrook K, Sjöholm K, Kjellman C, Lee J, Stewart D. The real unmet need: A multifactorial approach for identifying sensitized kidney candidates with low access to transplant. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e14946. [PMID: 36841966 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the start of 2020, the kidney waiting list consisted of 2526 candidates with a calculated panel reactive antibody (CPRA) of 99.9% or greater, a cohort demonstrated in published research to have meaningfully lower than average access to transplantation even under the revised kidney allocation system (KAS). METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of US kidney registrations using data from the OPTN [Reference (https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/about-data/)]. The period-prevalent study cohort consisted of US kidney-alone registrations who waited at least 1 day between April 1, 2016, when HLA DQ-Alpha and DP-Beta unacceptable antigen data became available in OPTN data collection, to December 31, 2019. Poisson rate regression was used to model deceased donor kidney transplant rates per active year waiting and using an offset term to account for differential at-risk periods. Median time to transplant was estimated for each IRR group using the Kaplan-Meier method. Sensitivity analyses were included to address geographic variation in supply-to-demand ratios and differences in dialysis time or waiting time. RESULTS In this study, we found 1597 additional sensitized (CPRA 50-<99.9%) candidates with meaningfully lower than average access to transplant when simultaneously taking into account CPRA and other factors. In combination with CPRA, candidate blood type, Estimated Post-Transplant Survival Score (EPTS), and presence of other antibody specificities beyond those in the current, 5-locus CPRA were found to influence the likelihood of transplant. CONCLUSION In total, this suggests approximately 4100 sensitized candidates are on the waiting list who represent a community of disadvantaged patients who may benefit from progressive therapies and interventions to facilitate incompatible transplantation. Though associated with higher risks, such interventions may nevertheless be more attractive than remaining on dialysis with the associated accumulation of mortality risk over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Darren Stewart
- United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,NYU Langone Transplant Institute, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Puttarajappa CM, Hariharan S, Zhang X, Tevar A, Mehta R, Gunabushanam V, Sood P, Hoffman W, Mohan S. Early Effect of the Circular Model of Kidney Allocation in the United States. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:26-39. [PMID: 36302599 PMCID: PMC10101588 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022040471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In March 2021, the United States implemented a new kidney allocation system (KAS250) for deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT), which eliminated the donation service area-based allocation and replaced it with a system on the basis of distance from donor hospital to transplant center within/outside a radius of 250 nautical miles. The effect of this policy on kidney discards and logistics is unknown. METHODS We examined discards, donor-recipient characteristics, cold ischemia time (CIT), and delayed graft function (DGF) during the first 9 months of KAS250 compared with a pre-KAS250 cohort from the preceding 2 years. Changes in discards and CIT after the onset of COVID-19 and the implementation of KAS250 were evaluated using an interrupted time-series model. Changes in allocation practices (biopsy, machine perfusion, and virtual cross-match) were also evaluated. RESULTS Post-KAS250 saw a two-fold increase in kidneys imported from nonlocal organ procurement organizations (OPO) and a higher proportion of recipients with calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) 81%-98% (12% versus 8%; P <0.001) and those with >5 years of pretransplant dialysis (35% versus 33%; P <0.001). CIT increased (mean 2 hours), including among local OPO kidneys. DGF was similar on adjusted analysis. Discards after KAS250 did not immediately change, but we observed a statistically significant increase over time that was independent of donor quality. Machine perfusion use decreased, whereas reliance on virtual cross-match increased, which was associated with shorter CIT. CONCLUSIONS Early trends after KAS250 show an increase in transplant access to patients with cPRA>80% and those with longer dialysis duration, but this was accompanied by an increase in CIT and a suggestion of worsening kidney discards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chethan M. Puttarajappa
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sundaram Hariharan
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amit Tevar
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rajil Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Vikraman Gunabushanam
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Puneet Sood
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - William Hoffman
- Transplant Nephrology, UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Department of Medicine, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Patzer RE, Di M, Zhang R, McPherson L, DuBay DA, Ellis M, Wolf J, Jones H, Zayas C, Mulloy L, Reeves-Daniel A, Mohan S, Perez AC, Trivedi AN, Pastan SO. Referral and Evaluation for Kidney Transplantation Following Implementation of the 2014 National Kidney Allocation System. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:707-717. [PMID: 35301050 PMCID: PMC9470777 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.01.423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE The national kidney allocation system (KAS) implemented in December 2014 in the United States redefined the start of waiting time from the time of waitlisting to the time of kidney failure. Waitlisting has declined post-KAS, but it is unknown if this is due to transplant center practices or changes in dialysis facility referral and evaluation. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the 2014 KAS policy change on referral and evaluation for transplantation among a population of incident and prevalent patients with kidney failure. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 37,676 incident (2012-2016) patients in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina identified within the US Renal Data System at 9 transplant centers and followed through December 2017. A prevalent population of 6,079 patients from the same centers receiving maintenance dialysis in 2012 but not referred for transplantation in 2012. EXPOSURE KAS era (pre-KAS vs post-KAS). OUTCOME Referral for transplantation, start of transplant evaluation, and waitlisting. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Multivariable time-dependent Cox models for the incident and prevalent population. RESULTS Among incident patients, KAS was associated with increased referrals (adjusted HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.12-1.20]) and evaluation starts among those referred (adjusted HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.10-1.21]), decreased overall waitlisting (adjusted HR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.65-0.76]), and lower rates of active waitlisting among those evaluated compared to the pre-KAS era (adjusted HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.74-0.90]). Among the prevalent population, KAS was associated with increases in overall waitlisting (adjusted HR, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.15-2.63]) and active waitlisting among those evaluated (adjusted HR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.16-3.49]), but had no significant impact on referral or evaluation starts among those referred. LIMITATIONS Limited to 3 states, residual confounding. CONCLUSIONS In the southeastern United States, the impact of KAS on steps to transplantation was different among incident and prevalent patients with kidney failure. Dialysis facilities referred more incident patients and transplant centers evaluated more incident patients after implementation of KAS, but fewer evaluated patients were placed onto the waitlist. Changes in dialysis facility and transplant center behaviors after KAS implementation may have influenced the observed changes in access to transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Mengyu Di
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Laura McPherson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Derek A DuBay
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Matthew Ellis
- Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joshua Wolf
- Piedmont Transplant Institute, Piedmont Healthcare, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Carlos Zayas
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Laura Mulloy
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | | | - Sumit Mohan
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Aubriana C Perez
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amal N Trivedi
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island; Center of Innovation in Long-term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Stephen O Pastan
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cron DC, Husain SA, Adler JT. The New Distance-Based Kidney Allocation System: Implications for Patients, Transplant Centers, and Organ Procurement Organizations. Curr Transpl Rep 2022; 9:302-307. [PMID: 36254174 PMCID: PMC9558035 DOI: 10.1007/s40472-022-00384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The goal of deceased donor kidney allocation policy is to provide objective prioritization for donated kidneys, and policy has undergone a series of revisions in the past decade in attempt to achieve equity and utility in access to kidney transplantation. Most recently, to address geographic disparities in access to kidney transplantation, the Kidney Allocation System changed to a distance-based allocation system—colloquially termed “KAS 250”—moving away from donor service areas as the geographic basis of allocation. We review the early impact of this policy change on access to transplant for patients, and on complexity of organ allocation and transplantation for transplant centers and organ procurement organizations. Recent Findings Broader sharing of kidneys has increased complexity of the allocation system, as transplant centers and OPOs now interact in larger networks. The increased competition resulting from this system, and the increased operational burden on centers and OPOs resulting from greater numbers of organ offers, may adversely affect organ utilization. Preliminary results suggest an increase in transplant rate overall but a trend toward higher kidney discard and increased cold ischemia time. Summary The KAS 250 allocation policy changed the geographic basis of deceased donor kidney distribution in a manner that is intended to reduce geographic disparities in access to kidney transplantation. Close monitoring of this policy’s impact on patients, transplant center behavior, and process measures is critical to the aim of maximizing access to transplant while achieving transplant equity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Cannon RM, Anderson DJ, MacLennan P, Orandi BJ, Sheikh S, Kumar V, Hanaway MJ, Locke JE. Perpetuating Disparity: Failure of the Kidney Transplant System to Provide the Most Kidney Transplants to Communities With the Greatest Need. Ann Surg 2022; 276:597-604. [PMID: 35837899 PMCID: PMC9463094 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and kidney transplant rates vary significantly across the United States. This study aims to examine the mismatch between ESKD burden and kidney transplant rates from a perspective of spatial epidemiology. METHODS US Renal Data System data from 2015 to 2017 on incident ESKD and kidney transplants per 1000 incident ESKD cases was analyzed. Clustering of ESKD burden and kidney transplant rates at the county level was determined using local Moran's I and correlated to county health scores. Higher percentile county health scores indicated worse overall community health. RESULTS Significant clusters of high-ESKD burden tended to coincide with clusters of low kidney transplant rates, and vice versa. The most common cluster type had high incident ESKD with low transplant rates (377 counties). Counties in these clusters had the lowest overall mean transplant rate (61.1), highest overall mean ESKD incidence (61.3), and highest mean county health scores percentile (80.9%, P <0.001 vs all other cluster types). By comparison, counties in clusters with low ESKD incidence and high transplant rates (n=359) had the highest mean transplant rate (110.6), the lowest mean ESKD incidence (28.9), and the lowest county health scores (20.2%). All comparisons to high-ESKD/low-transplant clusters were significant at P value <0.001. CONCLUSION There was a significant mismatch between kidney transplant rates and ESKD burden, where areas with the greatest need had the lowest transplant rates. This pattern exacerbates pre-existing disparities, as disadvantaged high-ESKD regions already suffer from worse access to care and overall community health, as evidenced by the highest county health scores in the study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Cannon
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Douglas J Anderson
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Paul MacLennan
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Babak J Orandi
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Saulat Sheikh
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Vineeta Kumar
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Michael J Hanaway
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jayme E Locke
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Whelan AM, Dinh A, Ku E. Kidney Transplantation in the Setting of Prolonged Dialysis Vintage: It's About Time. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:307-308. [PMID: 35718661 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Whelan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Alex Dinh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Elaine Ku
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Firl DJ, Markmann JF. Reply to "Letter to the editor in response to: Measuring success in pig to non-human-primate renal xenotransplantation: Systematic review and comparative outcomes analysis of 1051 life-sustaining NHP renal allo- and xeno-transplants". Am J Transplant 2022; 22:2279-2280. [PMID: 35278274 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Firl
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Surgery, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - James F Markmann
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Patzer RE, Adler JT, Harding JL, Huml A, Kim I, Ladin K, Martins PN, Mohan S, Ross-Driscoll K, Pastan SO. A Population Health Approach to Transplant Access: Challenging the Status Quo. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:406-415. [PMID: 35227824 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.01.422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Transplant referral and evaluation are critical steps to waitlisting yet remain an elusive part of the transplant process. Despite calls for more data collection on pre-waitlisting steps, there are currently no national surveillance data to aid in understanding the causes and potential solutions for the extreme variation in access to transplantation. As population health scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and ethicists we submit that the transplant community has an obligation to better understand disparities in transplant access as a first necessary step to effectively mitigating these inequities. Our position is grounded in a population health approach, consistent with several new overarching national policy and quality initiatives. The purpose of this Perspective is to (1) provide an overview of how a population health approach should inform current multisystem policies impacting kidney transplantation and demonstrate how these efforts could be enhanced with national data collection on pre-waitlisting steps; (2) demonstrate the feasibility and concrete next steps for pre-waitlisting data collection; and (3) identify potential opportunities to use these data to implement effective population-level interventions, policies, and quality measures to improve equity in access to kidney transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts; Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica L Harding
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anne Huml
- Case Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Irene Kim
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Keren Ladin
- Departments of Occupational Therapy and Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts; Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Paulo N Martins
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katie Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephen O Pastan
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mohan S, Husain SA. Improving the Utilization of Deceased Donor Kidneys by Prioritizing Patient Preferences. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 17:1278-1280. [PMID: 35985701 PMCID: PMC9625108 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.08500722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Husain SA, King KL, Owen-Simon NL, Fernandez HE, Ratner LE, Mohan S. Access to kidney transplantation among pediatric candidates with prior solid organ transplants in the United States. Pediatr Transplant 2022; 26:e14303. [PMID: 35615911 PMCID: PMC9378581 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric kidney transplant candidates require timely access to transplant to optimize growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We studied access to transplant for pediatric candidates with prior organ transplants. METHODS We used US registry data to identify pediatric kidney transplant candidates added to the waiting list 2015-2019 and used competing risk regression to study the association between prior transplant status and probability of receiving a kidney transplant, treating wait-list removal and death as competing events. RESULTS Of 4962 pediatric kidney transplant candidates included, 89% had no prior transplant and 11% had received a prior organ transplant (kidney 87%, liver 5%, heart 5%). Prior transplant recipients were older at listing (median 15 vs. 12 years) and more likely to have PRA≥98% (22% vs. 0.3%) (both p < .001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of candidates from each group who were preemptively wait-listed. Unadjusted competing risk regression showed a lower risk of kidney transplant after wait-listing among candidates with prior organ transplant (HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.47-0.59, p < .001). This association remained significant after adjusting for candidate characteristics (HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.63-0.83, p < .001). Among deceased donor kidney recipients, median KDPI was similar between groups, but recipients with prior transplants were more likely to receive kidneys from donors with hypertension (4% vs. 1%, p = .01) and donors after cardiac death (11% vs. 4%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric kidney transplant candidates with prior organ transplants have reduced access to transplant after wait-listing. Allocation system changes are needed to improve timely access to transplant for this vulnerable group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Nina L. Owen-Simon
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Hilda E. Fernandez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Lloyd E. Ratner
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ross-Driscoll K, Gunasti J, Lynch RJ, Massie A, Segev DL, Snyder J, Axelrod D, Patzer RE. Listing at non-local transplant centers is associated with increased access to deceased donor kidney transplantation. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1813-1822. [PMID: 35338697 PMCID: PMC9580509 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The ability of kidney transplant candidates to travel outside of their usual place of care varies by sociodemographic factors, potentially exacerbating disparities in access. We used Transplant Referral Regions (TRRs) to overcome previous methodological barriers of using geographic distance to assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients listed for kidney transplant at centers in neighboring TRR or beyond neighboring TRRs. Among listed kidney transplant candidates, 20.9% traveled to a neighbor and 5.6% beyond a neighbor. A higher proportion of travelers were White, had some college education, and lived in ZIP codes with lower poverty. Travel to a neighbor was associated with a 7% increase in likelihood of deceased donor transplant (cHR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.09) and traveling beyond a neighbor with a 19% increase (cHR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.24). Travelers had similar rates of living donor transplant and waitlist mortality as patients who did not travel; those who traveled beyond a neighbor had slightly lower posttransplant mortality (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.99). In conclusion, the ability to travel outside of the recipient's assigned TRR increases access to transplantation and improves long-term survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ross-Driscoll
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jonathan Gunasti
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Raymond J. Lynch
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Allan Massie
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dorry L. Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jon Snyder
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota,Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - David Axelrod
- Solid Organ Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Rachel E. Patzer
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Transplantation is a life-saving medical intervention that unfortunately is constrained by scarcity of available organs. An ideal system for allocating organs should seek to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It also must be fair and not disadvantage certain populations. However, policies aimed at reducing disparities also must be balanced with considerations of utility (graft outcomes), cost, efficiency, and any adverse effects on organ utilization. Here, we discuss the ethical challenges of creating a fair and equitable organ allocation system, focusing on the principles governing deceased donor kidney transplant waitlists around the world. The kidney organ allocation systems in the United States, Australia, and Hong Kong are used as illustrations.
Collapse
|
23
|
Doby BL, Ross-Driscoll K, Yu S, Godwin M, Lee KJ, Lynch RJ. Examining utilization of kidneys as a function of procurement performance. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1614-1623. [PMID: 35118830 PMCID: PMC9762681 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Questions have arisen around new metrics for organ procurement organizations (OPO) due to the perception that low-performing OPOs may be limited by local centers' acceptance of marginal organs. We reviewed 2013-2019 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OTPN) and National Centers for Health Statistics (NCHS) data to explore the relationship between objectively measured OPO performance and utilization of deceased donor kidneys. We found that although donor recovery declined with rising age and kidney donor profile index (KDPI), OPO performance differences were evident within each age/KDPI group. By contrast, the number of discards per donor did not vary with OPO performance. Centers in donor service areas (DSAs) with lower-performing OPOs had higher local utilization and greater import of high-KDPI kidneys than did those with higher-performing OPOs. Lower rates of donor availability relative to waitlist additions may contribute to observed center acceptance behavior. Differences in center-level performance were highly visible in Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) organ acceptance metrics, while SRTR OPO metrics did not detect large or persistent variation in procurement performance. Cumulatively, our findings suggest that objective measures of procurement performance can inform discussions of organ utilization, allowing for alignment of metrics in all elements of the procurement-transplantation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brianna L. Doby
- Positive Rhetoric LLC, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA,College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation, Department of Public Health Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
| | - Katie Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sharon Yu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Miriam Godwin
- National Kidney Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kevin J. Lee
- Mid-America Transplant Services, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Raymond J. Lynch
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sokas CM, Husain SA, Xiang L, King K, Mohan S, Salim A, Rodrigue JR, Adler JT. Evolving Metrics of Quality for Kidney Transplant Candidates: Transplant Center Variability in Delisting and 1-Year Mortality. J Am Coll Surg 2022; 234:1075-81. [PMID: 35703800 DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of patients on the kidney transplant waitlist lacks oversight, and transplant centers can delist candidates without consequence. To better understand between-center differences in waitlist management, we examined delisting rates and mortality after delisting within 3 years of removal from the kidney transplant waitlist. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients of adults listed for deceased donor kidney transplant in 2015 and followed until the end of 2018. Patients of interest were those delisted for reasons other than transplant, death, or transfer. Centers were excluded if they had fewer than 20 waitlisted patients per year. We calculated probability of delisting and death after delisting using multivariable competing risk models. RESULTS During follow-up, 14.2% of patients were delisted. The median probability of delisting within 3 years, adjusted for center-level variability, was 7.0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.9% to 10.6%). Median probability of death was 58.2% (IQR: 40% to 73.4%). There was no meaningful correlation between probability of delisting and death (τ = -0.05, p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS There is significant variability in the rate of death after delisting across kidney transplant centers. Likelihood of transplant is extremely important to candidates, and improved data collection efforts are needed to inform whether current delisting practices are successfully removing patients who could not meaningfully benefit from transplant, or whether certain populations may benefit from remaining on the list and maintaining eligibility.
Collapse
|
25
|
Husain SA, King KL, Cron DC, Neidlinger NA, Ng H, Mohan S, Adler JT. Association of transplant center market concentration and local organ availability with deceased donor kidney utilization. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1603-1613. [PMID: 35213789 PMCID: PMC9177771 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Although there is a shortage of kidneys available for transplantation, many transplantable kidneys are not procured or are discarded after procurement. We investigated whether local market competition and/or organ availability impact kidney procurement/utilization. We calculated the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for deceased donor kidney transplants (2015-2019) for 58 US donation service areas (DSAs) and defined 4 groups: HHI ≤ 0.32 (high competition), HHI = 0.33-0.51 (medium), HHI = 0.53-0.99 (low), and HHI = 1 (monopoly). We calculated organ availability for each DSA as the number kidneys procured per incident waitlisted candidate, grouped as: <0.42, 0.42-0.69, >0.69. Characteristics of procured organs were similar across groups. In adjusted logistic regression, the HHI group was inconsistently associated with composite export/discard (reference: high competition; medium: OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11-1.20; low 1.01, 0.96-1.06; monopoly 1.19, 1.13-1.26) and increasing organ availability was associated with export/discard (reference: availability <0.42; 0.42-0.69: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.30-1.40; >0.69: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.73-1.93). When analyzing each endpoint separately, lower competition was associated with higher export and only market monopoly was weakly associated with lower discard, whereas higher organ availability was associated with export and discard. These results indicate that local organ utilization is more strongly influenced by the relative intensity of the organ shortage than by market competition between centers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed A. Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - David C. Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Han Ng
- Department of Economics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
King KL, Husain SA, Perotte A, Adler JT, Schold JD, Mohan S. Deceased donor kidneys allocated out of sequence by organ procurement organizations. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1372-1381. [PMID: 35000284 PMCID: PMC9081167 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Deceased donor kidney allocation follows a ranked match-run of potential recipients. Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) are permitted to deviate from the mandated match-run in exceptional circumstances. Using match-run data for all deceased donor kidney transplants (Ktx) in the US between 2015 and 2019, we identified 1544 kidneys transplanted from 933 donors with an OPO-initiated allocation exception. Most OPOs (55/58) used this process at least once, but 3 OPOs performed 64% of the exceptions and just 2 transplant centers received 25% of allocation exception Ktx. At 2 of 3 outlier OPOs these transplants increased 136% and 141% between 2015 and 2019 compared to only a 35% increase in all Ktx. Allocation exception donors had less favorable characteristics (median KDPI 70, 41% with history of hypertension), but only 29% had KDPI ≥ 85% and the majority did not meet the traditional threshold for marginal kidneys. Allocation exception kidneys went to larger centers with higher offer acceptance ratios and to recipients with 2 fewer priority points-equivalent to 2 less years of waiting time. OPO-initiated exceptions for kidney allocation are growing increasingly frequent and more concentrated at a few outlier centers. Increasing pressure to improve organ utilization risks increasing out-of-sequence allocations, potentially exacerbating disparities in access to transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Adler Perotte
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Jesse D Schold
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
- Center for Populations Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Shaw BI, Samoylova ML, Barbas AS, Cheng XS, Lu Y, McElroy LM, Sanoff S. Center variations in patient selection for simultaneous heart-kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2022; 36:e14619. [PMID: 35175664 PMCID: PMC10067274 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There are no established regulations governing patient selection for simultaneous heart-kidney (SHK) transplantation, creating the potential for significant center-level variations in clinical practice. METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Standard Transplant Analysis and Research (STAR) file, we examined practice trends and variations in patient selection for SHK at the center level between January 1, 2004 and March 31, 2019. RESULTS Overall, SHK is becoming more common with most centers performing heart transplants also performing SHK. Among patients who underwent heart transplant who were receiving dialysis, the rate of SHK varied from 22% to 86% at the center level. Among patients not on dialysis, the median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of patients receiving SHK varied between 19 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 . When adjusting for other factors, the odds of SHK varied 57-fold between the highest and lowest SHK performing centers. CONCLUSION Variation in SHK at the center level suggests the need for national guidelines around the selection of patients for SHK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian I Shaw
- Department of Surgery, Duke, University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marya L Samoylova
- Department of Surgery, Duke, University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew S Barbas
- Department of Surgery, Duke, University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xingxing S Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Yee Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lisa M McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke, University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott Sanoff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kshirsagar AV, Weiner DE, Mendu ML, Liu F, Lew SQ, O’Neil TJ, Bieber SD, White DL, Zimmerman J, Mohan S. Keys to Driving Implementation of the New Kidney Care Models. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 17:1082-1091. [PMID: 35289764 PMCID: PMC9269631 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.10880821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Contemporary nephrology practice is heavily weighted toward in-center hemodialysis, reflective of decisions on infrastructure and personnel in response to decades of policy. The Advancing American Kidney Health initiative seeks to transform care for patients and providers. Under the initiative’s framework, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has launched two new care models that align patient choice with provider incentives. The mandatory ESRD Treatment Choices model requires participation by all nephrology practices in designated Hospital Referral Regions, randomly selecting 30% of all Hospital Referral Regions across the United States for participation, with the remaining Hospital Referral Regions serving as controls. The voluntary Kidney Care Choices model offers alternative payment programs open to nephrology practices throughout the country. To help organize implementation of the models, we developed Driver Diagrams that serve as blueprints to identify structures, processes, and norms, and generate intervention concepts. We focused on two goals that are directly applicable to nephrology practices and central to the incentive structure of the ESRD Treatment Choices and Kidney Care Choices: (1) increasing utilization of home dialysis, and (2) increasing the number of kidney transplants. Several recurring themes became apparent with implementation. Multiple stakeholders from assorted backgrounds are needed. Communication with primary care providers will facilitate timely referrals, education, and comanagement. Nephrology providers (nephrologists, nursing, dialysis organizations, others) must lead implementation. Patient engagement at nearly every step will help achieve the aims of the models. Advocacy with federal and state regulatory agencies will be crucial to expanding home dialysis and transplantation access. Although the models hold promise to improve choices and outcomes for many patients, we must be vigilant that they not do reinforce existing disparities in health care or widen known racial, socioeconomic, or geographic gaps. The Advancing American Kidney Health initiative has the potential to usher in a new era of value-based care for nephrology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit V. Kshirsagar
- University of North Carolina Kidney Center and Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
| | - Daniel E. Weiner
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mallika L. Mendu
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Frank Liu
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Weill Cornell Medicine, Rogosin Institute, New York, New York
| | - Susie Q. Lew
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Terrence J. O’Neil
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- James Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center, Johnson City, Tennessee
| | - Scott D. Bieber
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Kootenai Health, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
| | - David L. White
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Policy and Government Affairs, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
| | - Jonathan Zimmerman
- Center for Health Innovation, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Quality Committee, American Society of Nephrology, Washington, DC
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Husain SA, King KL, Adler JT, Mohan S, Perotte R. Impact of Extending Eligibility for Reinstatement of Waiting Time After Early Allograft Failure: A Decision Analysis. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 79:354-361. [PMID: 34562524 PMCID: PMC8881308 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE The shortage of deceased donor kidneys identified for potential transplantation in the United States is exacerbated by a high proportion of deceased donor kidneys being discarded after procurement. We estimated the impact of a policy proposal aiming to increase organ utilization by extending eligibility for waiting time reinstatement for recipients experiencing early allograft failure after transplantation. STUDY DESIGN Decision analysis informed by clinical registry data. SETTING & POPULATION We used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data to identify 76,044 deceased-donor kidneys procured in the United States from 2013 to 2017, 80% of which were transplanted and 20% discarded. INTERVENTION Extend waiting time reinstatement for recipients experiencing allograft failure from the current 90 days to 1 year after transplantation. OUTCOME Net impact to the waitlist, defined as the estimated number of additional transplants minus estimated increase in waiting list reinstatements. MODEL, PERSPECTIVE, & TIMEFRAME We estimated (1) the number of additional deceased donor kidneys that would be transplanted if there was a 5%-25% relative reduction in discards, and (2) the number of recipients who would regain waiting time under a 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month reinstatement policy. RESULTS Reinstating a waiting time for recipients experiencing allograft failure up to 1 year after transplantation yielded more additional transplants than growth in additions to the waiting list for all model assumptions except the combination of a very low relative reduction in discards (5%) and a very high failure rate of transplanted kidneys that would previously have been discarded (≥5 times the rate of currently transplanted kidneys). LIMITATIONS Lack of empirical evidence supporting the proposed impact of such a policy change. CONCLUSIONS A policy change reinstating waiting time for deceased donor kidneys recipients with allograft failure up to 1 year after transplantation should explored as a decision science-based intervention to improve organ utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Rimma Perotte
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Patients who receive a kidney transplant commonly experience failure of their allograft. Transplant failure often comes with complex management decisions, such as when and how to wean immunosuppression and start the transition to a second transplant or to dialysis. These decisions are made in the context of important concerns about competing risks, including sensitization and infection. Unfortunately, the management of the failed allograft is, at present, guided by relatively poor-quality data and, as a result, practice patterns are variable and suboptimal given that patients with failed allografts experience excess morbidity and mortality compared with their transplant-naive counterparts. In this review, we summarize the management strategies through the often-precarious transition from transplant to dialysis, highlighting the paucity of data and the critical gaps in our knowledge that are necessary to inform the optimal care of the patient with a failing kidney transplant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Davis
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado .,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Park C, Jones M, Kaplan S, Koller FL, Wilder JM, Boulware LE, Mcelroy LM. A scoping review of inequities in access to organ transplant in the United States. Int J Equity Health 2022; 21. [PMID: 35151327 PMCID: PMC8841123 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01616-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Organ transplant is the preferred treatment for end-stage organ disease, yet the majority of patients with end-stage organ disease are never placed on the transplant waiting list. Limited access to the transplant waiting list combined with the scarcity of the organ pool result in over 100,000 deaths annually in the United States. Patients face unique barriers to referral and acceptance for organ transplant based on social determinants of health, and patients from disenfranchised groups suffer from disproportionately lower rates of transplantation. Our objective was to review the literature describing disparities in access to organ transplantation based on social determinants of health to integrate the existing knowledge and guide future research. Methods We conducted a scoping review of the literature reporting disparities in access to heart, lung, liver, pancreas and kidney transplantation based on social determinants of health (race, income, education, geography, insurance status, health literacy and engagement). Included studies were categorized based on steps along the transplant care continuum: referral for transplant, transplant evaluation and selection, living donor identification/evaluation, and waitlist outcomes. Results Our search generated 16,643 studies, of which 227 were included in our final review. Of these, 34 focused on disparities in referral for transplantation among patients with chronic organ disease, 82 on transplant selection processes, 50 on living donors, and 61 on waitlist management. In total, 15 studies involved the thoracic organs (heart, lung), 209 involved the abdominal organs (kidney, liver, pancreas), and three involved multiple organs. Racial and ethnic minorities, women, and patients in lower socioeconomic status groups were less likely to be referred, evaluated, and added to the waiting list for organ transplant. The quality of the data describing these disparities across the transplant literature was variable and overwhelmingly focused on kidney transplant. Conclusions This review contextualizes the quality of the data, identifies seminal work by organ, and reports gaps in the literature where future research on disparities in organ transplantation should focus. Future work should investigate the association of social determinants of health with access to the organ transplant waiting list, with a focus on prospective analyses that assess interventions to improve health equity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-021-01616-x.
Collapse
|
32
|
Adler JT, Husain SA, Xiang L, Rodrigue JR, Waikar SS. Initial Home Dialysis Is Increased for Rural Patients by Accessing Urban Facilities. Kidney360 2022; 3:488-496. [PMID: 35582180 PMCID: PMC9034801 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0006932021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background The 240,000 rural patients with end stage kidney disease in the United States have less access to nephrology care and higher mortality than those in urban settings. The Advancing American Kidney Health initiative aims to increase the use of home renal replacement therapy. Little is known about how rural patients access home dialysis and the availability and quality of rural dialysis facilities. Methods Incident dialysis patients in 2017 and their facilities were identified in the United States Renal Data System. Facility quality and service availability were analyzed with descriptive statistics. We assessed the availability of home dialysis methods, depending on rural versus urban counties, and then we used multivariate logistic regression to identify the likelihood of rural patients with home dialysis as their initial modality and the likelihood of rural patients changing to home dialysis within 90 days. Finally, we assessed mortality after dialysis initiation on the basis of patient home location. Results Of the 97,930 dialysis initiates, 15,310 (16%) were rural. Rural dialysis facilities were less likely to offer home dialysis (51% versus 54%, P<0.001). Although a greater proportion of rural patients (9% versus 8%, P<0.001) were on home dialysis, this was achieved by traveling to urban facilities to obtain home dialysis (OR=2.74, P<0.001). After adjusting for patient and facility factors, rural patients had a higher risk of mortality (HR=1.06, P=0.004). Conclusions Despite having fewer facilities that offer home dialysis, rural patients were more often on home dialysis methods because they traveled to urban facilities, representing an access gap. Even if rural patients accessed home dialysis at urban facilities, rural patients still suffered worse mortality. Future dialysis policy should address this access gap to improve care and overall mortality for rural patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Austin at Texas, Austin, Texas,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Lingwei Xiang
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James R. Rodrigue
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sushrut S. Waikar
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Jalbert J, Cardinal H, Lodi A, Weller J, Tocco H. Predicting Waiting Time and Quality of Kidney Offers for Kidney Transplant Candidates. Artif Intell Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-09342-5_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
34
|
Mohan S, Schold JD. Accelerating deceased donor kidney utilization requires more than accelerating placement. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:7-8. [PMID: 34637595 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jesse D Schold
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Center for Populations Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Potluri VS, Bloom RD. Effect of Policy on Geographic Inequities in Kidney Transplantation. Am J Kidney Dis 2021; 79:897-900. [PMID: 34974033 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu S Potluri
- Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19131
| | - Roy D Bloom
- Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19131.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
King KL, Chaudhry SG, Ratner LE, Cohen DJ, Husain SA, Mohan S. Declined Offers for Deceased Donor Kidneys Are Not an Independent Reflection of Organ Quality. Kidney360 2021; 2:1807-1818. [PMID: 35372993 PMCID: PMC8785847 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0004052021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Deceased donor kidney offers are frequently declined multiple times before acceptance for transplantation, despite significant organ shortage and long waiting times. Whether the number of times a kidney has been declined, reflecting cumulative judgments of clinicians, is associated with long-term transplant outcomes remains unclear. Methods In this national, retrospective cohort study of deceased donor kidney transplants in the United States from 2008 to 2015 (n=78,940), we compared donor and recipient characteristics and short- and long-term graft and patient survival outcomes grouping by the sequence number at which the kidney was accepted for transplantation. We compared outcomes for kidneys accepted within the first seven offers in the match-run, after 8-100 offers, and for hard-to-place kidneys distinguishing those requiring >100 and >1000 offers before acceptance. Results Harder-to-place kidneys had lower donor quality and higher rates of delayed graft function (46% among kidneys requiring >1000 offers before acceptance versus 23% among kidneys with ≤7 offers). In unadjusted models, later sequence groups had higher hazard of all-cause graft failure, death-censored graft failure, and patient mortality; however, these associations were attenuated after adjusting for Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI). After adjusting for donor factors already taken into consideration during allocation, and recipient factors associated with long-term outcomes, graft, and patient survival outcomes were not significantly different for the hardest-to-place kidneys compared with the easiest-to-place kidneys, with the exception of death-censored graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.16, 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.28). Conclusion Late sequence offers may represent missed opportunities for earlier successful transplant for the higher-priority waitlisted candidates for whom the offers were declined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Sulemon G Chaudhry
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Lloyd E Ratner
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - David J Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The Final Rule clearly states that geography should not be a determinant of a chance of a potential candidate being transplanted. There have been multiple concerns about geographic disparities in patients in need of solid organ transplantation. Allocation policy adjustments have been designed to address these concerns, but there is little evidence that the disparities have been solved. The purpose of this review is to describe the main drivers of geographic disparities in solid organ transplantation and how allocation policy changes and other potential actions could impact these inequalities. RECENT FINDINGS Geographical disparities have been reported in kidney, pancreas, liver, and lung transplantation. Organ Procurement and Transplant Network has modified organ allocation rules to underplay geography as a key determinant of a candidates' chance of receiving an organ. Thus, heart, lung, and more recently liver and Kidney Allocation Systems have incorporated broader organ sharing to reduce geographical disparities. Whether these policy adjustments will indeed eliminate geographical disparities are still unclear. SUMMARY Modern allocation policy focus in patients need, regardless of geography. Innovative actions to further reduce geographical disparities are needed.
Collapse
|
38
|
|
39
|
Adler JT, Husain SA, King KL, Mohan S. Greater complexity and monitoring of the new Kidney Allocation System: Implications and unintended consequences of concentric circle kidney allocation on network complexity. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:2007-2013. [PMID: 33314637 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The deceased donor kidney allocation system in the United States has undergone several rounds of iterative changes, but these changes were not explicitly designed to address the geographic variation in access to transplantation. The new allocation system, expected to start in December 2020, changes the definition of "local allocation" from the Donation Service Area to 250 nautical mile circles originating from the donor hospital. While other solid organs have adopted a similar approach, the larger number of both kidney transplant centers and transplant candidates is likely to have different consequences. Here, we discuss the incredible increase in complexity in allocation, discuss some of the likely intended and unintended consequences, and propose metrics to monitor the new system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Syed A Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Whelan AM, Johansen KL, Brar S, McCulloch CE, Adey DB, Roll GR, Grimes B, Ku E. Association between Longer Travel Distance for Transplant Care and Access to Kidney Transplantation and Graft Survival in the United States. J Am Soc Nephrol 2021; 32:1151-1161. [PMID: 33712528 PMCID: PMC8259680 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2020081242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant candidates may gain an advantage by traveling to receive care at a transplant center that may have more favorable characteristics than their local center. Factors associated with longer travel distance for transplant care and whether the excess travel distance (ETD) is associated with access to transplantation or with graft failure are unknown. METHODS This study of adults in the United States wait-listed for kidney transplantation in 1995-2015 used ETD, defined as distance a patient traveled beyond the nearest transplant center for initial waiting list registration. We used linear regression to examine patient and center characteristics associated with ETD and Fine-Gray models to examine the association between ETD (modeled as a spline) and time to deceased or living donor transplantation or graft failure. RESULTS Of 373,365 patients, 11% had an ETD≥50 miles. Traveling excess distance was more likely among patients who were of non-Black race or those whose nearest transplant center had lower annual living donor transplant volume. At an ETD of 50 miles, we observed a lower likelihood of deceased donor transplantation (subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.84 to 0.87) but higher likelihood of living donor transplantation (SHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.16) compared with those who received care at their nearest center. ETD was weakly associated with higher risk of graft failure. CONCLUSIONS Patients who travel excess distances for transplant care have better access to living donor but not deceased donor transplantation and slightly higher risk of graft failure. Traveling excess distances is not clearly associated with better outcomes, especially if living donors are unavailable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M. Whelan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Kirsten L. Johansen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sandeep Brar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Charles E. McCulloch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Deborah B. Adey
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Garrett R. Roll
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Barbara Grimes
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Elaine Ku
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Puttarajappa CM, Jorgensen D, Yabes JG, Jeong K, Zeevi A, Lunz J, Tevar AD, Molinari M, Mohan S, Hariharan S. Trends and impact on cold ischemia time and clinical outcomes using virtual crossmatch for deceased donor kidney transplantation in the United States. Kidney Int 2021; 100:660-71. [PMID: 33940109 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
For assessing human leukocyte antigen compatibility in deceased donor kidney transplantation, virtual crossmatch is used as an alternative to physical crossmatch and has potential to reduce cold ischemia time. The 2014 United States kidney allocation system prioritized highly sensitized candidates but led to increased shipping of kidneys. Using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we evaluated changes in virtual crossmatch use with the new allocation policy and the impact of virtual crossmatch use on cold ischemia time and transplant outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of adult deceased donor kidney recipients in the United States (2011-2018) transplanted with either 9,632 virtual or 71,839 physical crossmatches. Before allocation change, only 9% of transplants were performed relying on a virtual crossmatch. After the 2014 allocation change, this increased by 2.4%/year so that 18% transplants in 2018 were performed with just a virtual crossmatch. There was significant variation in virtual crossmatch use among transplant regions (range 0.7-36%) and higher use was noted among large volume centers. Compared to physical crossmatches, virtual crossmatches were significantly associated with shorter cold ischemia times (mean 15.0 vs 16.5 hours) and similar death-censored graft loss and mortality (both hazard ratios HR 0.99) at a median follow-up of 2.9 years. Thus, our results show that virtual crossmatch is an attractive strategy for shortening cold ischemia time without negatively impacting transplant outcomes. Hence, strategies to optimize use and reduce practice variation may allow for maximizing benefits from virtual crossmatch.
Collapse
|