Highlights
- In a recent analysis, African American patients were less likely to be wait-listed than White patients. This difference was influenced by factors including age, comorbidities, socio-economic status, being on dialysis, having a living donor, transplant knowledge, and social support.
- Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31–November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
Newswise — New Orleans, LA (November 3, 2017) — A new study indicates that certain non-medical factors affect racial/ethnic disparities in wait-listing for a kidney transplant. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31–November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
African Americans have a higher incidence of kidney failure but lower rates of kidney transplantation compared with Whites. Because disparities persist even after adjusting for medical factors, Yue-Harn Ng, MD (University of New Mexico), and her colleagues assessed whether non-medical factors might play a role.
In the study of 1057 patients who were referred for kidney transplant evaluation, there were significant racial/ethnic differences in baseline demographic characteristics, medical, cultural, and psychosocial factors. African American patients were less likely to be wait-listed than White patients. Having a living donor led to earlier wait-listing, but older age, having a lower-status occupation, and being on dialysis had a negative impact on early wait-listing (£100 days). Higher income, more transplant knowledge, and having good social support were positively associated with wait listing, but having more comorbidities, using public insurance, and being African American were negative predictors of wait-listing throughout the transplant evaluation process.
“From this study, we concluded that non-medical factors affect racial disparity in kidney transplant wait-listing,” said Dr. Ng. “Our research highlights the need to diversify current interventions to include non-medical factors such as psychosocial and cultural factors in our goals of achieving equality in kidney transplantation.”
Study: “Factors Impacting Racial Disparity in Kidney Transplant Wait-Listing” (Abstract 2770187)
ASN Kidney Week 2017, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in kidney health research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2017 will take place October 31–November 5, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Since 1966, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 17,000 members representing 112 countries. For more information, please visit www.asn-online.org or contact us at 202-640-4660.
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