Promoting access to renal transplantation: the role of social support networks in completing pre-transplant evaluations

Exploring Potential Gender-Based Disparities in Referral for Transplant, Activation on the Waitlist and Kidney Transplantation in a Canadian Cohort

Introduction

In the United States, women are less likely to be referred, activated on the waitlist, or undergo kidney transplant (KT) than men; contemporary Canadian data regarding access to transplant for women are lacking.

Methods

Among patients initiating dialysis in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada from 2010 to 2020, we examined the association of candidate gender with overall access to KT, including the following: (i) odds of transplant referral within 1 year of dialysis initiation, (ii) odds of activation on the transplant waitlist (if referred), and (iii) time-to-transplantation (if activated) using logistic regression or Cox proportional hazards models as appropriate.

Results

Among 749 patients deemed potentially eligible for transplant, women had lower transplant rates than men (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-0.78); this was amplified among patients aged >60 years (aHR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09-0.69). Compared with men, women had a lower adjusted odds of transplant referral (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.93) by 1 year after dialysis initiation. Among those referred, women had lower odds of waitlist activation than men (aOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.30-1.11); and among those activated, women had lower hazard of KT (aHR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.51-1.09), though these differences were not statistically significant. Women in NS experience lower overall access to transplant, including less referral, activation and KT compared with men.

Conclusion

Gender-based barriers to any of (or in this case each of) referral, activation, or transplantation result in inequities in access; identification of disparities at these critical decision points is an important first step toward ensuring equal access for all.

Intersectional race and gender disparities in kidney transplant access in the United States: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Gender and racial disparities in kidney transplant access are well established, however how gender and race interact to shape access to kidney transplant is less clear. Therefore, we examined existing literature to assess what is known about the potential interaction of gender and race and the impact on access to kidney transplantation in the US.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a scoping review and included quantitative and qualitative studies published in English between 1990 and May 31, 2023 among adult end-stage kidney disease patients in the US. All studies reported on access to specific transplant steps or perceived barriers to transplant access in gender and race subgroups, and the intersection between the two. We narratively synthesized findings across studies.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria and included outcomes of referral (n = 4, 29%), evaluation (n = 2, 14%), waitlisting (n = 4, 29%), transplantation (n = 5, 36%), provider perceptions of patient transplant candidacy (n = 3, 21%), and patient preferences and requests for a living donor (n = 5, 36%). Overall, we found that White men have the greatest access at all steps of the transplant process, from referral to eventual living or deceased donor transplantation. In contrast, women from racial or ethnic minorities tend to have the lowest access to kidney transplant, in particular living donor transplant, though this was not consistent across all studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Examining how racism and sexism interact to shape kidney transplant access should be investigated in future research, in order to ultimately shape policies and interventions to improve equity.

A Nominal Group Technique Study of Patients Who Identify as Black or African American and Access to Renal Transplantation

Introduction: Completion of the renal transplant evaluation has been associated with several barriers for patients who identify as Black or African American. This study sought to prioritize barriers to and motivators of completing the renal transplant evaluation. Methods/Approach: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with a nominal group technique were used to generate priority scores. Transplant professionals (N = 23) were recruited from 9 transplant centers in the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Western, and Southeastern parts of the United States. Black or African American identifying renal patients (N = 30) diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease were recruited from 1 transplant center in the Mid-Atlantic region. Findings: Priority scores were created to assess the quantitative data of participant rankings of top barriers and motivators. The most significant barriers identified by both patients and transplant professionals comprised financial constraints, insurance issues, difficulty navigating the healthcare system, transportation difficulties, and multiple health problems. Facilitators consisted of family/social support, transplant education, patient navigators, comprehensive insurance, and physician repertoire and investment. A qualitative description of the ranked factors resulted in themes classified as intrapersonal, health, socioeconomic, transplant-specific healthcare, and general healthcare. Conclusion: These findings provided vital information to transplant centers nationwide about assessing the influences of renal transplant evaluation completion. Achieving equity in access to transplantation for Black or African American renal patients requires multilayered approaches.

Community-, network-, and individual-level predictors of uptake of medication for opioid use disorder among young people who inject drugs and their networks: A multilevel analysis

BACKGROUND

Opioid use has been increasing at alarming rates over the past 15 years, yet uptake of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remains low. Much of the research on individual characteristics predicting MOUD uptake is equivocal, and there is a dearth of research on setting-level and network-level characteristics that predict MOUD uptake. Towards a more holistic, multilevel understanding, we explore individual-level, network-level, and community-level characteristics associated with MOUD uptake.

METHODS

Baseline data from a longitudinal study of young people who inject drugs and their injection and support network members living in Chicago (N = 165) was used to conduct cross-sectional multilevel logistic regression analyses to examine associations between MOUD uptake and a set of potential predictors at the individual-, network-, and community-levels that were chosen based on theoretical relevance or support from previous empirical studies.

RESULTS

Stigma at both the individual and community levels was significantly associated with MOUD uptake (though in different directions). Greater individual-level stigma was associated with a higher likelihood of MOUD uptake, while having a more normatively stigmatizing community environment was associated with a lower likelihood of MOUD uptake. Using heroin and cocaine simultaneously and having a larger support network were associated with a greater likelihood of MOUD uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study's holistic, multilevel approach identified three individual-level characteristics, one network-level characteristic, and one community-level characteristic associated with MOUD uptake. However, more research is needed examining multilevel predictors, to help with developing interventions addressing barriers to MOUD use at multiple levels of influence.

A scoping review of inequities in access to organ transplant in the United States

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.

Non-medical barriers in access to early steps of kidney transplantation in the United States - A scoping review

BACKGROUND

In the United States (US), barriers in access to later steps in the kidney transplantation process (i.e. waitlisting) have been well documented. Barriers in access to earlier steps (i.e. referral and evaluation) are less well described due to the lack of national surveillance data. In this review, we summarize the available literature on non-medical barriers in access to kidney transplant referral and evaluation.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of the literature through June 3, 2021. We included all studies (quantitative and qualitative) reporting on barriers to kidney transplant referral and evaluation in the US published from 1990 onwards in English and among adult end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014015027). We narratively synthesized results across studies.

RESULTS

We retrieved information from 33 studies published from 1990 to 2021 (reporting data between 1990 and 2018). Most studies (n = 28, 85%) described barriers among patient populations, three (9%) among provider populations, and two (6%) included both patients and providers. Key barriers were identified across multiple levels and included patient- (e.g. demographic, socioeconomic, sociocultural, and knowledge), provider- (e.g. miscommunication, staff availability, provider perceptions and attitudes), and system- (e.g. geography, distance to care, healthcare logistics) level factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A multi-pronged approach (e.g. targeted and systemwide interventions, and policy change) implemented at multiple levels of the healthcare system will be necessary to reduce identified barriers in access to early kidney transplant steps. Collection of national surveillance data on these early kidney transplant steps is also needed to enhance our understanding of barriers to referral and evaluation.

Gender and race/ethnicity differences in living kidney donor demographics: Preference or disparity?

In the United States, women are over-represented and Blacks are under-represented as living kidney donors. A traditional bioethics approach would state that as long as living donors believe that the benefits of participation outweigh the risks and harms (beneficence) and they give a voluntary and informed consent, then the demographics reflect a mere difference in preferences. Such an analysis, however, ignores the social, economic and cultural determinants as well as various forms of structural discrimination (e.g., racism, sexism) that may imply that the distribution is less voluntary than may appear initially. The distribution also raises justice concerns regarding the fair recruitment and selection of living donors. We examine the differences in living kidney donor demographics using a vulnerabilities analysis and argue that these gender and racial differences may not reflect mere preferences, but rather, serious justice concerns that need to be addressed at both the individual and systems level.

Social Determinants of Health and Race Disparities in Kidney Transplant

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Black patients have a higher incidence of kidney failure but lower rate of deceased- and living-donor kidney transplantation compared with White patients, even after taking differences in comorbidities into account. We assessed whether social determinants of health (e.g., demographics, cultural, psychosocial, knowledge factors) could account for race differences in receiving deceased- and living-donor kidney transplantation.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Via medical record review, we prospectively followed 1056 patients referred for kidney transplant (2010-2012), who completed an interview soon after kidney transplant evaluation, until their kidney transplant. We used multivariable competing risk models to estimate the cumulative incidence of receipt of any kidney transplant, deceased-donor transplant, or living-donor transplant, and the factors associated with each outcome.

RESULTS

Even after accounting for social determinants of health, Black patients had a lower likelihood of kidney transplant (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 0.99) and living-donor transplant (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 0.95), but not deceased-donor transplant (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 1.26). Black race, older age, lower income, public insurance, more comorbidities, being transplanted before changes to the Kidney Allocation System, greater religiosity, less social support, less transplant knowledge, and fewer learning activities were each associated with a lower probability of any kidney transplant. Older age, more comorbidities, being transplanted before changes to the Kidney Allocation System, greater religiosity, less social support, and fewer learning activities were each associated with a lower probability of deceased-donor transplant. Black race, older age, lower income, public insurance, higher body mass index, dialysis before kidney transplant, not presenting with a potential living donor, religious objection to living-donor transplant, and less transplant knowledge were each associated with a lower probability of living-donor transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

Race and social determinants of health are associated with the likelihood of undergoing kidney transplant.

A Medical Student Initiative to Enhance the Pediatric Hemodialysis Experience

Background:

Children and young adults receiving hemodialysis (HD) face unique challenges including frequent school absenteeism, psychosocial issues, and social isolation, placing them at risk for decreased academic achievement and health literacy.

Objective:

To address this, we implemented the Child and Adolescent Motivation and Enrichment Program (CHAMP) at Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami, FL. The objective of this study is to describe the organizational structure and program design of CHAMP and provide preliminary program opinions.

Methods:

Medical students served as longitudinal one-on-one mentors to patients receiving HD. Face-to-face intervention, books, board games, and electronic tablets were used to enhance patients' educational and recreational experience. We surveyed participating patients, medical students, and unit nurses regarding their opinions of CHAMP.

Key Results:

Patients responded to a series of questions on a Likert scale scored from 1 to 5 and reported the highest scores on questions pertaining to having fun with mentors (mean = 4.88), enjoying mentor visits (mean = 4.78), and learning during visits (mean = 3.88). Mentors reported the highest level of agreement (mean = 4.82) that CHAMP helped them gain empathy for patients with chronic and/or special health care needs. Nurses scored highly on the point that “overall, the program was useful and helped the patient” (mean = 6.86 of a possible 7).

Conclusion:

CHAMP is an academic and psychosocial enrichment program for children and adolescents receiving HD. The program is regarded highly by participating patients, medical students, and unit nurses. Patients report enjoying and learning from mentor sessions, whereas nurses report improved interactions with patients. Medical students who participate as mentors also gain important exposure to the field of pediatric nephrology. The program design as described herein positions CHAMP for replication at academic medical centers nationwide, allowing for optimization of the health and well-being of the pediatric HD population. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2021;5(1):e60–e69.]

Plain Language Summary:

Pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are at risk for decreased academic achievement and health literacy. To address this, we implemented the Child and Adolescent Motivation and Enrichment Program, a longitudinal mentorship program pairing medical students as one-on-one mentors to patients undergoing HD. Preliminary results from this program demonstrate satisfaction and enjoyment by participating patients, medical students, and dialysis unit nurses.

Investigating Ethnic Disparity in Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation in the UK: Patient-Identified Reasons for Non-Donation among Family Members

There is ethnic inequity in access to living-donor kidney transplants in the UK. This study asked kidney patients from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups why members of their family were not able to be living kidney donors. Responses were compared with responses from White individuals. This questionnaire-based mixed-methods study included adults transplanted between 1/4/13-31/3/17 at 14 UK hospitals. Participants were asked to indicate why relatives could not donate, selecting all options applicable from: Age; Health; Weight; Location; Financial/Cost; Job; Blood group; No-one to care for them after donation. A box entitled 'Other-please give details' was provided for free-text entries. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the association between the likelihood of selecting each reason for non-donation and the participant's self-reported ethnicity. Qualitative responses were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. In total, 1240 questionnaires were returned (40% response). There was strong evidence that Black, Asian and minority ethnic group individuals were more likely than White people to indicate that family members lived too far away to donate (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.25, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.30-4.58), were prevented from donating by financial concerns (aOR = 2.95, 95% CI 2.02-4.29), were unable to take time off work (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.18-3.02), were "not the right blood group" (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.35-2.01), or had no-one to care for them post-donation (aOR = 3.73, 95% CI 2.60-5.35). Four qualitative themes were identified from responses from Black, Asian and minority ethnic group participants: 'Burden of disease within the family'; 'Differing religious interpretations'; 'Geographical concerns'; and 'A culture of silence'. Patients perceive barriers to living kidney donation in the UK Black, Asian and minority ethnic population. If confirmed, these could be targeted by interventions to redress the observed ethnic inequity.

Dialysis facility referral and start of evaluation for kidney transplantation among patients treated with dialysis in the Southeastern United States

Variability in transplant access exists, but barriers to referral and evaluation are underexplored due to lack of national surveillance data. We examined referral for kidney transplantation evaluation and start of the evaluation among 34 857 incident, adult (18-79 years) end-stage kidney disease patients from 690 dialysis facilities in the United States Renal Data System from January 1, 2012 through August 31, 2016, followed through February 2018 and linked data to referral and evaluation data from nine transplant centers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Multivariable-adjusted competing risk analysis examined each outcome. The median within-facility cumulative percentage of patients referred for kidney transplantation within 1 year of dialysis at the 690 dialysis facilities in Network 6 was 33.7% (interquartile range [IQR]: 25.3%-43.1%). Only 48.3% of referred patients started the transplant evaluation within 6 months of referral. In multivariable analyses, factors associated with referral vs evaluation start among those referred at any time differed. For example, black, non-Hispanic patients had a higher rate of referral (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-1.27), but lower evaluation start among those referred (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.98), vs white non-Hispanic patients. Barriers to transplant varied by step, and national surveillance data should be collected on early transplant steps to improve transplant access.

Pre-transplant evaluation completion for Black/African American renal patients: Two theoretical frameworks

OBJECTIVE

Black/African Americans (B/AA) are less likely to complete the pre-transplant evaluation for kidney transplantation despite higher prevalence rates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To better understand the barriers and motivators to completing the evaluation process, two qualitative studies were conducted to categorize and elucidate the relationships between these factors.

METHODS

In Phase I, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a stratified purposeful sample of transplant professionals (N = 23). Focus groups were conducted during Phase II with a purposeful sample of B/AA patients (N = 30).

RESULTS

Thematic analyses assessed using grounded theory revealed a multitude of factors at individual and systemic levels, including health and informational/educational-related factors. Two comprehensive theoretical frameworks, a socio-ecological model of barriers and a model of motivators are presented. Medical mistrust is an example of a community factor identified as impeding completion rates. Systemic motivators included compressed time for testing and fewer intervals between doctor's appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers a structure for understanding impediments to and facilitators of pre-transplant evaluation completion as seen through the eyes of both B/AA ESRD patients seeking transplant and the providers who work with them.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Recommendations for intervention and systemic changes to narrow health disparities are discussed.

Associations of perceived information adequacy and knowledge with pursuit of live donor kidney transplants and living donor inquiries among African American transplant candidates

We studied associations between perceived adequacy of live donor kidney transplant (LDKT) information or knowledge with pursuit of LDKT or receipt of live donor inquiries among 300 African American kidney transplant candidates. Participants reported via questionnaire how informed or knowledgeable they felt regarding LDKT. Participants also reported their pursuit of LDKT, categorized as "low" (no discussion with family or friends about LDKT and no identified donor), "intermediate" (discussed LDKT with family but no identified donor) or "high" (discussed LDKT with family and identified a potential donor). We reviewed participants' electronic health records to identify potential donors' transplant center inquiries on participants' behalves. A minority of participants reported they felt "very" or "extremely" well informed about LDKT (39%) or had "a great deal" of LDKT knowledge (38%). Participants perceiving themselves as "very" or "extremely" (vs "not" or "slightly") well informed about LDKT had statistically significantly greater odds of intermediate or high (vs low) pursuit of LDKT (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 2.71 [1.02-7.17]). Perceived LDKT knowledge was not associated with pursuit of LDKT. Neither perceived information adequacy nor knowledge was associated with living donor inquiries. Efforts to better understand the role of education in the pursuit of LDKT among African American transplant candidates are needed.

Association of Social Support Network Size With Receipt of Cataract Surgery in Older Adults

Importance

Cataract-related vision impairment is an important public health issue that tends to affect older adults. Little is known about the association between older adults' social support networks and their likelihood of receiving cataract surgery.

Objective

To determine if older adults with smaller social support networks are less likely to receive cataract surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective cohort study. The National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative US survey, administered annually from 2011 to 2015 to a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older with no cataract surgery prior to the start of the study.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate if the number of persons in an individual's social support network influenced whether that individual received cataract surgery during a given year of the study.

Results

Overall, 3448 participants were interviewed from 2011 to 2015 for a total of 9760 observations. Of these observations, 3084 (weighted, 38.81%; 95% CI, 37.28-40.35) were aged 70 to 74 years, 5211 (weighted, 52.32%; 95% CI, 50.19-54.44) were women; 5899 (weighted, 78.53%; 95% CI, 76.29-80.61) were white, 2249 (weighted, 9.55%; 95% CI, 8.45-10.78) were black, 537 (weighted, 7.18%; 95% CI, 5.88-8.73) were Hispanic, and 303 (weighted, 4.74%; 95% CI, 3.56-62.9) reported other races. Medicare beneficiaries with smaller social support networks (0-2 individuals) were less likely to receive cataract surgery in a given year (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37-0.96) than those with larger support networks (≥3 individuals). The adjusted predicted proportion of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cataract surgery was 4.7% (95% CI, 2.7%-6.7%) and 7.5% (95% CI, 6.9%-8.1%) for those with small and large social support networks, respectively. Having fewer non-spouse/partner family members in the support network was associated with decreased odds of receiving cataract surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.85), but having spouses/partners (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.77-1.22) and nonfamily members (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.72-1.11) did not have a significant association.

Conclusions and Relevance

Medicare beneficiaries with fewer non-spouse/partner family members in their social support networks were less likely to receive cataract surgery. These findings suggest that attention should be given to patients with smaller support networks to ensure that they receive cataract surgery when it is indicated.

Racial disparities in kidney transplant waitlist appearance in Chicago: Is it race or place?

BACKGROUND

Prior work has demonstrated how neighborhood poverty and racial composition impact racial disparities in access to the deceased donor kidney transplant waitlist, both nationally and regionally. We examined the association between neighborhood characteristics and racial disparities in time to transplant waitlist in Chicago, a diverse city with continued neighborhood segregation.

METHODS

Using data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) and the US Census, we investigated time from dialysis initiation to kidney transplant waitlisting for African American and white patients in Chicago using cause-specific proportional hazards analyses, adjusting for individual sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as neighborhood poverty and racial composition.

RESULTS

In Chicago, African Americans are significantly less likely than whites to appear on the renal transplant waitlist (HR 0.73, P < .05). Compared to whites in nonpoor neighborhoods, African Americans in poor neighborhoods are significantly less likely to appear on the transplant waitlist (HR 0.61, P < .05). Over 69% of African Americans with ESRD live in these neighborhoods.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with national data, African Americans in Chicago have a lower likelihood of waitlisting than whites. This disparity is explained in part by neighborhood poverty, which impacts the majority of African American ESRD patients in Chicago.

Hemodialysis Clinic Social Networks, Sex Differences, and Renal Transplantation

This study describes patient social networks within a new hemodialysis clinic and models the association between social network participation and kidney transplantation. Survey and observational data collected between August 2012 and February 2015 were used to observe the formation of a social network of 46 hemodialysis patients in a newly opened clinic. Thirty-two (70%) patients formed a social network, discussing health (59%) and transplantation (44%) with other patients. While transplant-eligible women participated in the network less often than men (56% vs. 90%, p = 0.02), women who participated discussed their health more often than men (90% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.02). Patients in the social network completed a median of two steps toward transplantation compared with a median of 0 for socially isolated patients (p = 0.003). Patients also completed more steps if network members were closely connected (β = 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-4.29, p = 0.03) and if network members themselves completed more steps (β = 2.84, 95% CI 0.11-5.57, p = 0.04). The hemodialysis clinic patient social network had a net positive effect on completion of transplant steps, and patients who interacted with each other completed a similar number of steps.

Has the Department of Veterans Affairs Found a Way to Avoid Racial Disparities in the Evaluation Process for Kidney Transplantation?

BACKGROUND

Minority groups are affected by significant disparities in kidney transplantation (KT) in Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA transplant centers. However, prior VA studies have been limited to retrospective, secondary database analyses that focused on multiple stages of the KT process simultaneously. Our goal was to determine whether disparities during the evaluation period for KT exist in the VA as has been found in non-VA settings.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter longitudinal cohort study of 602 patients undergoing initial evaluation for KT at 4 National VA KT Centers. Participants completed a telephone interview to determine whether, after controlling for medical factors, differences in time to acceptance for transplant were explained by patients' demographic, cultural, psychosocial, or transplant knowledge factors.

RESULTS

There were no significant racial disparities in the time to acceptance for KT [Log-Rank χ = 1.04; P = 0.594]. Younger age (hazards ratio [HR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-0.99), fewer comorbidities (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.95), being married (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-0.99), having private and public insurance (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.51), and moderate or greater levels of depression (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.03-3.29) predicted a shorter time to acceptance. The influence of preference for type of KT (deceased or living donor) and transplant center location on days to acceptance varied over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the VA National Transplant System did not exhibit the racial disparities in evaluation for KT as have been found in non-VA transplant centers.

Ethnic Background Is a Potential Barrier to Living Donor Kidney Transplantation in Canada: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

We examined if African or Asian ethnicity was associated with lower access to kidney transplantation (KT) in a Canadian setting.

METHODS

Patients referred for KT to the Toronto General Hospital from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012, who completed social work assessment, were included (n = 1769). The association between ethnicity and the time from referral to completion of KT evaluation or receipt of a KT were examined using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

About 54% of the sample was white, 13% African, 11% East Asian, and 11% South Asian; 7% had "other" (n = 121) ethnic background. African Canadians (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62-0.92]) and patients with "other" ethnicity (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.92) were less likely to complete the KT evaluation compared with white Canadians, and this association remained statistically significant in multivariable adjusted models. Access to KT was significantly reduced for all ethnic groups assessed compared with white Canadians, and this was primarily driven by differences in access to living donor KT. The adjusted HRs for living donor KT were 0.35 (95% CI, 0.24-0.51), 0.27 (95% CI, 0.17-0.41), 0.43 (95% CI, 0.30-0.61), and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.20-0.56) for African, East or South Asian Canadians and for patients with "other" ethnic background, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to other jurisdictions, nonwhite patients face barriers to accessing KT in Canada. This inequity is very substantial for living donor KT. Further research is needed to identify if these inequities are due to potentially modifiable barriers.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Hospitalization and Kidney Transplantation Among Waitlisted End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

BACKGROUND

Even after placement on the deceased donor waitlist, there are racial disparities in access to kidney transplant. The association between hospitalization, a proxy for health while waitlisted, and disparities in kidney transplant has not been investigated.

METHODS

We used United States Renal Data System Medicare-linked data on waitlisted end-stage renal disease patients between 2005 and 2009 with continuous enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B (n = 24 581) to examine the association between annual hospitalization rate and odds of receiving a deceased donor kidney transplant. We used multilevel mixed effects models to estimate adjusted odds ratios, controlling for individual-, transplant center-, and organ procurement organization-level clustering.

RESULTS

Blacks and Hispanics were more likely than whites to be hospitalized for circulatory system or endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (P < 0.001). After adjustment, compared with individuals not hospitalized, patients who were hospitalized frequently while waitlisted were less likely to be transplanted (>2 vs 0 hospitalizations/year adjusted odds ratios = 0.57; P < 0.001). Though blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be hospitalized than whites (P < 0.001), adjusting for hospitalization did not change estimated racial/ethnic disparities in kidney transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals hospitalized while waitlisted were less likely to receive a transplant. However, hospitalization does not account for the racial disparity in kidney transplantation after waitlisting.

Patient factors associated with lung transplant referral and waitlist for patients with cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Since 2005, the Lung Allocation Score (LAS) has prioritized patient benefit and post-transplant survival, reducing waitlist to transplant time to <200 days and decreasing mortality on the waitlist. A current challenge is the wait for the waitlist-the time between the patient's transplant-eligible diagnosis and waitlist registration.

METHODS

We investigated whether sociodemographic (age, sex, race, insurance, marital status, median household income) and clinical (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] percent of predicted, body mass index, depression/anxiety, alcohol/substance misuse, absolute/relative contraindications) factors influenced referral and waitlist registration. We conducted a retrospective cohort study through chart review of hospitalized patients on the University of Chicago general medicine service from 2006 to 2014 who met transplant-eligible criteria and ICD-9 billing codes for cystic fibrosis (CF) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). We analyzed the times from transplant eligibility to referral, work-up and waitlisting using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

Overall, the referral rate for transplant-eligible patients was 64%. Of those referred, approximately 36% reach the lung transplant waitlist. Referred CF patients were significantly more likely to reach the transplant waitlist than PF patients (CF 60% vs PF 22%, p < 0.05). In addition, CF patients had a shorter wait from transplant eligibility to waitlist than PF patients (329 vs 2,369 days, respectively [25th percentile], p < 0.05). Patients with PF and CF both faced delays from eligibility to referral and waitlist.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality improvement efforts are needed to better identify and refer appropriate patients for lung transplant evaluation. Targeted interventions may facilitate more efficient evaluation completion and waitlist appearance.

A patient navigator and education program for increasing potential living donors: a comparative observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Person-centered clinical environments may promote living donation for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We implemented an observational study design to explore whether a patient navigator (PN) program with person-centered education in nephrology practice settings could increase potential living donors (PLDs) and, subsequently, increase living transplantation.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASURES

Patients referred to (N = 4621) and/or transplanted at (N = 950) our transplant center during 2007-2012 were eligible for inclusion. Two analytical study populations were derived from propensity score matched patient groups. Outcomes comprised total PLDs per candidate and living vs. deceased transplantation for recipients.

RESULTS

Multivariable generalized estimating equations logistic regression showed that PN practice candidates were significantly more likely to have an initial inquiry PLD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.44) and a preliminary screening PLD (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05-1.54), while there were no significant differences observed in evaluated PLD (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.61-1.45).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that our person-centered PN program stimulated willingness to seek living transplantation and was associated with a trend toward increased LD.

Disparities in completion rates of the medical prerenal transplant evaluation by race or ethnicity and gender

BACKGROUND

A significant number of potential kidney transplant candidates do not complete the required medical evaluation after referral to a transplant program.

METHODS

Factors associated with rate of completion of the renal transplant evaluation were analyzed using a retrospective chart review of patients first seen between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010 (n=256). The primary endpoint was completion in 12 months. Independent variables included socioeconomic, demographic, and medical factors.

RESULTS

Mean age was 50.7 years; 49.6% were black, 28.5% Hispanic, and 21.9% white and other; 26.3% did not require dialysis. During follow-up, 23.4% did not complete the evaluation. Multivariable analysis indicated that slower rates of completion were associated with needing a greater number of medical tests (compared to 0-2: 3-5 tests, hazard ratio [HR]=0.65, P=0.02; ≥ 6 tests, HR=0.47, P=0.0005) and requiring more than one hospitalization (compared to none: HR=0.37, P=0.0008). A significant interaction between race or ethnicity and gender on completion was found: compared to black men, Hispanic men (HR=2.75, P<0.0001), Hispanic women (HR=1.96, P=0.006), and white men (HR=1.99, P=0.005) showed a more rapid completion. In comparison, black and white women (HR=1.38, P=0.16; HR=0.94, P=0.83, respectively) were not significantly different from black men in rates of completion. Differences by race or ethnicity and gender were not confounded by socioeconomic variables or social support.

CONCLUSION

To lessen barriers and facilitate renal transplantation, black men and women, white women, and patients needing multiple medical tests and requiring several hospitalizations may benefit from additional assistance during the medical evaluation process.

Your Path to Transplant: a randomized controlled trial of a tailored computer education intervention to increase living donor kidney transplant

BACKGROUND

Because of the deceased donor organ shortage, more kidney patients are considering whether to receive kidneys from family and friends, a process called living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Although Blacks and Hispanics are 3.4 and 1.5 times more likely, respectively, to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) than Whites, they are less likely to receive LDKTs. To address this disparity, a new randomized controlled trial (RCT) will assess whether Black, Hispanic, and White transplant patients' knowledge, readiness to pursue LDKT, and receipt of LDKTs can be increased when they participate in the Your Path to Transplant (YPT) computer-tailored intervention.

METHODS/DESIGN

Nine hundred Black, Hispanic, and White ESRD patients presenting for transplant evaluation at University of California, Los Angeles Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program (UCLA-KPTP) will be randomly assigned to one of two education conditions, YPT or Usual Care Control Education (UC). As they undergo transplant evaluation, patients in the YPT condition will receive individually-tailored telephonic coaching sessions, feedback reports, video and print transplant education resources, and assistance with reducing any known socioeconomic barriers to LDKT. Patients receiving UC will only receive transplant education provided by UCLA-KPTP. Changes in transplant knowledge, readiness, pros and cons, and self-efficacy to pursue LDKT will be assessed prior to presenting at the transplant center (baseline), during transplant evaluation, and 4- and 8-months post-baseline, while completion of transplant evaluation and receipt of LDKTs will be assessed at 18-months post-baseline. The RCT will determine, compared to UC, whether Black, Hispanic, and White patients receiving YPT increase in their readiness to pursue LDKT and transplant knowledge, and become more likely to complete transplant medical evaluation and pursue LDKT. It will also examine how known patient, family, and healthcare system barriers to LDKT act alone and in combination with YPT to affect patients' transplant decision-making and behavior. Statistical analyses will be performed under an intent-to-treat approach.

DISCUSSION

At the conclusion of the study, we will have assessed the effectiveness of an innovative and cost-effective YPT intervention that could be utilized to tailor LDKT discussion and education based on the needs of individual patients of different races in many healthcare settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02181114.

Variations in coping stages for individuals with chronic kidney disease: Results from an exploratory study with patient navigators

Using a cross-sectional design, we examined coping stages (Kübler-Ross) among patients with end-stage renal disease at nephrology practices incorporating professional social workers as patient navigators, providing person-centered education and support (N = 420). We evaluated associations with behavioral counseling constructs (assess-advise-agree-assist-arrange). Coping stages comprised denial = 35.24 percent, acceptance = 24.05 percent, depression = 21.43 percent, bargaining = 12.86 percent, and anger = 6.43 percent. Compared to denial, other coping stages showed increased odds ratios for transplant referral agreement, transplant referral evaluations, understanding treatments, understanding donation procedures, plans to recruit donors, active donor recruitment, and potential living donor(s). Assessment of coping stages, and strategies to influence these, may be key factors in guiding patients to living donor kidney transplantation.

Age and sex disparities in discussions about kidney transplantation in adults undergoing dialysis

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether disparities in age and sex in access to kidney transplantation (KT) originate at the time of prereferral discussions about KT.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Outpatient dialysis centers in Maryland (n = 26).

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals who had recently initiated hemodialysis treatment (N = 416).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants reported whether medical professionals (nephrologist, primary medical doctor, dialysis staff) and social group members (significant other, family member, friend) discussed KT with them and, when applicable, rated the tone of discussions. Relative risks were estimated using modified Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Participants aged 65 and older were much less likely than those who were younger to have had discussions with medical professionals (44.5% vs 74.8%, P < .001) or social group members (47.3% vs 63.1%, P = .005). Irrespective of sex and independent of race, health-related factors, and dialysis-related characteristics, older adults were more likely not to have had discussions with medical professionals (relative risk (RR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.24, for each 5-year increase in age through 65; RR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.14-1.42, for each 5-year increase in age beyond 65). Irrespective of age, women were more likely (RR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.12-1.89) not to have had discussions with medical professionals. For each 5-year increase in age, men (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.99-1.10) and women (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.10-1.24) were more likely not to have discussions with social group members. Of those who had discussions with medical professionals or social group members, older participants described these discussions as less encouraging (all P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Older adults and women undergoing hemodialysis are less likely than younger adults and men to have discussions about KT as a treatment option, supporting a need for better clinical guidelines and education for these individuals, their social network, and their providers.

Racial differences in determinants of live donor kidney transplantation in the United States

Few studies have compared determinants of live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) across all major US racial-ethnic groups. We compared determinants of racial-ethnic differences in LDKT among 208 736 patients who initiated treatment for end-stage kidney disease during 2005-2008. We performed proportional hazards and bootstrap analyses to estimate differences in LDKT attributable to sociodemographic and clinical factors. Mean LDKT rates were lowest among blacks (1.19 per 100 person-years [95% CI: 1.12-1.26]), American Indians/Alaska Natives-AI/ANs (1.40 [1.06-1.84]) and Pacific Islanders (1.10 [0.78-1.84]), intermediate among Hispanics (2.53 [2.39-2.67]) and Asians (3.89 [3.51-4.32]), and highest among whites (6.46 [6.31-6.61]). Compared with whites, the largest proportion of the disparity among blacks (20%) and AI/ANs (29%) was attributed to measures of predialysis care, while the largest proportion among Hispanics (14%) was attributed to health insurance coverage. Contextual poverty accounted for 16%, 4%, 18%, and 6% of the disparity among blacks, Hispanics, AI/ANs and Pacific Islanders but none of the disparity among Asians. In the United States, significant disparities in rates of LDKT persist, but determinants of these disparities vary by race-ethnicity. Efforts to expand preESKD insurance coverage, to improve access to high-quality predialysis care and to overcome socioeconomic barriers are important targets for addressing disparities in LDKT.

Modifiable patient characteristics and racial disparities in evaluation completion and living donor transplant

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To reduce racial disparities in transplant, modifiable patient characteristics associated with completion of transplant evaluation and receipt of living donor kidney transplant must be identified.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

From 2004 to 2007, 695 black and white patients were surveyed about 15 less-modifiable and 10 more-modifiable characteristics at evaluation onset; whether they had completed evaluation within 1 year and received living donor kidney transplants by 2010 was determined. Logistic regression and competing risks time-to-event analysis were conducted to determine the variables that predicted evaluation completion and living donor kidney transplant receipt.

RESULTS

Not adjusting for covariates, blacks were less likely than whites to complete evaluation (26.2% versus 51.8%, P<0.001) and receive living donor kidney transplants (8.7% versus 21.9%, P<0.001). More-modifiable variables associated with completing evaluation included more willing to be on the waiting list (odds ratio=3.4, 95% confidence interval=2.1, 5.7), more willing to pursue living donor kidney transplant (odds ratio=2.7, 95% confidence interval=1.8, 4.0), having access to more transplant education resources (odds ratio=2.2, 95% confidence interval=1.5, 3.2), and having greater transplant knowledge (odds ratio=1.8, 95% confidence interval=1.2, 2.7). Patients who started evaluation more willing to pursue living donor kidney transplant (hazard ratio=4.3, 95% confidence interval=2.7, 6.8) and having greater transplant knowledge (hazard ratio=1.2, 95% confidence interval=1.1, 1.3) were more likely to receive living donor kidney transplants.

CONCLUSIONS

Because patients who began transplant evaluation with greater transplant knowledge and motivation were ultimately more successful at receiving transplants years later, behavioral and educational interventions may be very successful strategies to reduce or overcome racial disparities in transplant.

Understanding and overcoming barriers to living kidney donation among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States

In the United States, racial-ethnic minorities experience disproportionately high rates of ESRD, but they are substantially less likely to receive living donor kidney transplants (LDKT) compared with their majority counterparts. Minorities may encounter barriers to LDKT at several steps along the path to receiving it, including consideration, pursuit, completion of LDKT, and the post-LDKT experience. These barriers operate at different levels related to potential recipients and donors, health care providers, health system structures, and communities. In this review, we present a conceptual framework describing various barriers that minorities face along the path to receiving LDKT. We also highlight promising recent and current initiatives to address these barriers, as well as gaps in initiatives, which may guide future interventions to reduce racial-ethnic disparities in LDKT.

Racial disparities in pediatric access to kidney transplantation: does socioeconomic status play a role?

Racial disparities persist in access to renal transplantation in the United States, but the degree to which patient and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) impacts racial disparities in deceased donor renal transplantation access has not been examined in the pediatric and adolescent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. We examined the interplay of race and SES in a population-based cohort of all incident pediatric ESRD patients <21 years from the United States Renal Data System from 2000 to 2008, followed through September 2009. Of 8452 patients included, 30.8% were black, 27.6% white-Hispanic, 44.3% female and 28.0% lived in poor neighborhoods. A total of 63.4% of the study population was placed on the waiting list and 32.5% received a deceased donor transplant. Racial disparities persisted in transplant even after adjustment for SES, where minorities were less likely to receive a transplant compared to whites, and this disparity was more pronounced among patients 18-20 years. Disparities in access to the waiting list were mitigated in Hispanic patients with private health insurance. Our study suggests that racial disparities in transplant access worsen as pediatric patients transition into young adulthood, and that SES does not explain all of the racial differences in access to kidney transplantation.

Racial ethnic differences in rates and determinants of deceased donor kidney transplantation

Contemporary studies have not comprehensively compared waiting times and determinants of deceased donor kidney transplantation across all major racial ethnic groups in the Unites States. Here, we compared relative rates and determinants of waitlisting and deceased donor kidney transplantation among 503,090 nonelderly adults of different racial ethnic groups who initiated hemodialysis between1995 and 2006 with follow-up through 2008. Annual rates of deceased donor transplantation from the time of dialysis initiation were lowest in American Indians/Alaska Natives (2.4%) and blacks (2.8%), intermediate in Pacific Islanders (3.1%) and Hispanics (3.2%), and highest in whites (5.9%) and Asians (6.4%). Lower rates of deceased donor transplantation among most racial ethnic minority groups appeared primarily to reflect differences in time from waitlisting to transplantation, but this was not the result of higher rates of waitlist inactivity or removal from the waitlist. The fraction of the reduced transplant rates attributable to measured factors (e.g., demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, linguistic, and geographic factors) varied from 14% in blacks to 43% in American Indians/Alaska Natives compared with whites. In conclusion, adjusted rates of deceased donor kidney transplantation remain significantly lower among racial ethnic minorities compared with whites; generally, differences in time to waitlisting were not as pronounced as differences in time between waitlisting and transplantation. Determinants of delays in time to transplantation differed substantially by racial ethnic group. Area-based efforts targeted to address racial- and ethnic-specific delays in transplantation may help to reduce overall disparities in deceased donor kidney transplantation in the United States.

Neighborhood poverty, racial composition and renal transplant waitlist

To date, no study has characterized the association between neighborhood poverty, racial composition and deceased donor kidney waitlist. Using the United States Renal Data System data linked to 2000 U.S. Census Data, we examined Whites (n = 152 788) and Blacks (n = 130 300) initiating dialysis between January 2000 and December 2006. Subjects' neighborhoods were divided into nine strata based on the percent of Black residents and percent poverty. Cox proportional hazards were used to determine the association between time to waitlist and neighborhood characteristics after adjusting for demographics and comorbid conditions. Individuals from poorer neighborhoods had a consistently lower likelihood of being waitlisted. This association was synergistic with neighborhood racial composition for Blacks, but not for Whites. Blacks in poor, predominantly Black neighborhoods (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.57, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.53-0.62) were less likely to appear on transplant waitlist than those in wealthy, predominantly Black neighborhoods (HR 0.80, CI 0.67-0.96) and poor, predominantly White neighborhoods (HR 0.79, CI 0.70-0.89). All were all less likely to be waitlisted than their Black counterparts in wealthy, predominantly White or mixed neighborhoods (p < 0.05). Interventions targeted at individuals in poor and minority neighborhoods may represent an opportunity to improve equitable access to the deceased donor kidney waitlist.

Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in live donor kidney transplantation: priorities for research and intervention

One potential mechanism for reducing racial/ethnic disparities in the receipt of kidney transplants is to enhance minorities' pursuit of living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Pursuit of LDKT is influenced by patients' personal values, their extended social networks, the health care system, and the community at large. This review discusses research and interventions promoting LDKT, especially for minorities, including improving education for patients, donors, and providers, using LDKT kidneys more efficiently, and reducing surgical and financial barriers to transplant. Future directions to increase awareness of LDKT for more racial/ethnic minorities also are discussed including developing culturally tailored transplant education, clarifying transplant-eligibility practice guidelines, strengthening partnerships between community kidney providers and transplant centers, and conducting general media campaigns and community outreach.

Geographic variation in end-stage renal disease incidence and access to deceased donor kidney transplantation

The effect of demand for kidney transplantation, measured by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) incidence, on access to transplantation is unknown. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (OPTN/SRTR) from 2000 to 2008, we performed donation service area (DSA) and patient-level regression analyses to assess the effect of ESRD incidence on access to the kidney waiting list and deceased donor kidney transplantation. In DSAs, ESRD incidence increased with greater density of high ESRD incidence racial groups (African Americans and Native Americans). Wait-list and transplant rates were relatively lower in high ESRD incidence DSAs, but wait-list rates were not drastically affected by ESRD incidence at the patient level. Compared to low ESRD areas, high ESRD areas were associated with lower adjusted transplant rates among all ESRD patients (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.66-0.70). Patients living in medium and high ESRD areas had lower transplant rates from the waiting list compared to those in low ESRD areas (medium: RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.66-0.69; high: RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.61-0.65). Geographic variation in access to kidney transplant is in part mediated by local ESRD incidence, which has implications for allocation policy development.

Understanding disparities in transplantation: do social networks provide the missing clue?

Although the National Organ Transplant Act calls for equity in access to transplantation, scarcity and racial disparities persist. To date, even the most comprehensive models have been unable to adequately explain these racial disparities, leaving policymakers unsure how best to intervene. Previous individual-level analyses, which have implicated risk factors such as race, financial status, cultural beliefs, unemployment, lack of commitment to surgery and lack of continuous access to care, overlook contextual and social network exposures. Social networks present a compelling way to examine cumulative risk clustered across individuals. Social networks have been shown to influence health outcomes and health behaviors through various pathways, including shared social capital, engaging in similar or group risky behaviors, diffusion of information and adopting or propagating social norms. Precursors to chronic kidney disease, including obesity, have been shown to spread through social networks. Social network analysis can reveal shared risks between potential donors and recipients in a given network, clarifying the likelihood of finding an appropriate match through either direct donation or paired exchanges. This paper presents a novel application of social network analysis to transplantation, illustrating implications for disparities and future clinical interventions.

Race and ethnicity in access to and outcomes of liver transplantation: a critical literature review

Racial/ethnic disparities in access to and outcomes of liver transplantation are an important topic given the increasing diversity in the United States. Most reports on this topic predate the advent of allocation based on the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). For many patients with a variety of lethal conditions, liver transplantation is the only effective therapy, signifying the importance of equitable access to care. Racial/ethnic disparities have been described at various steps of the liver transplant process, including liver disease prevalence and treatment, access to a transplant center and its waitlist, receipt of a liver transplant and posttransplant outcomes. The purpose of this minireview is to critically evaluate the published literature on racial/ethnicity-based disparities in liver disease prevalence and treatment, transplant center referral, transplant rates and posttransplant outcomes. We identify the shortcomings of previous reports and detail the barriers to completing properly constructed analyses, particularly emphasizing deficits in requisite data and the need for improved study design. Understanding the nature of race/ethnicity-based disparities in liver transplantation is necessary to improve research initiatives, policy design and serves the broader responsibility of providing the highest quality care to all patients with liver disease.

Use of personalized medicine in the selection of patients for renal transplantation: views of Quebec transplant physicians and referring nephrologists

AIM

To explore the views of physicians on the use of personalized medicine tools to develop a new method for selecting potential recipients of a renal allograft.

METHODS

A total of 22 semidirected interviews, using clinical case studies.

RESULTS

According to the participants, this method has several possible applications within renal transplantation (individualizing immunosuppressive therapy, help with decision making, and possibly with the selection of patients). It could be more effective than the method presently used. The method must be validated scientifically, and must also involve clinical judgment.

CONCLUSION

The use of personalized medicine within transplantation must be in the best interests of the patient. An ethical reflection is necessary in order to focus on the possibility of patients being excluded, as well as on the resolution of the equity/efficacy dilemma. Empirical research has shown itself to be essential for ascertaining the views of the clinicians who will be working with the tools provided by personalized medicine.

Framing disparities along the continuum of care from chronic kidney disease to transplantation: barriers and interventions

Research in renal transplantation continues to document scores of disparities affecting vulnerable populations at various stages along the transplantation process. Given that both biological and environmental determinants contribute significantly to variation, identifying factors underlying an unfairly biased distribution of the disease burden is crucial. Confounded definitions and gaps in understanding causal pathways impede effectiveness of interventions aimed at alleviating disparities. This article offers an operational definition of disparities in the context of a framework aimed at facilitating interventional research. Utilizing an original framework describing the entire continuum of the transplant process from diagnosis of chronic kidney disease through successful transplant, this article explores the case of racial disparities, illustrating key factors predicting and perpetuating disparities. Though gaps in current research leave us unable to identify which stages of the transplant pathway adversely affect most people, by identifying key risk factors across the continuum of care, this article highlights areas suited for targeted interventions and presents recommendations for improvement and future research.