Acceptance of the Xenotransplantation of Organs Among the Population of the Spanish Gypsy Ethnic Group

The promise of xenotransplantation: a challenge

According to many scholars, kidney xenotransplantation promises to mitigate the organ supply shortage. This claim has a certain obviousness to it: by flooding the market with a new source of kidneys, xenotransplantation promises to be a panacea. Our goal is to challenge this claim. We argue that xenotransplantation may increase rather than decrease demand for kidneys, may reduce kidney allotransplants, and may be inaccessible or otherwise unused. By offering the challenge, we hope to show deeper reflection is needed on how xenotransplantation will affect the dearth of available organs.

A study of knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation among Chinese kidney transplant recipients and candidates

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the implementation of the first case of pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation and the report of three cases of pig-to-brain-dead human recipient kidney transplantation indicate that xenotransplantation is getting closer to clinical application. In the near future, China may also launch clinical trials of kidney xenotransplantation. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the level of knowledge and acceptance of xenotransplantation among kidney transplant recipients and candidates in China. This study aims to investigate the level of comprehension and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation in kidney transplant recipients and explore related factors, providing a reference for promoting the application and clinical trials of xenotransplantation in the near future.

METHODS

A questionnaire was completed by 211 kidney transplant recipients and 21 candidates. Answers to the questionnaires were self-administered by the respondents. Scores were compared using nonparametric tests, as well as using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to compare differences in answers.

RESULTS

Respondents demonstrated a high score of 75 (out of 100) on knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation. The sector "Knowledge and Attitude" received the overall highest score from respondents (85.0 out of 100), while "Risks and Concerns" received the lowest score (50 out of 100). Interestingly, respondents paid more attention to infection risks but showed less concern about rejection or unknown risks. Furthermore, 191 respondents (82.3%) expected that pig kidney xenografts could function for at least 5 years or more. The scores were statistically significant in terms of age, gender, level of education, level of knowledge on the case of xenotransplantation clinical trial, and willingness to donate organs. cognition CONCLUSIONS: The awareness rates of xenotransplantation are high among kidney transplant recipients and candidates, for which the majority showed a generally favorable attitude towards this procedure. Respondents did not have a comprehensive understanding of the specific knowledge of xenotransplantation and expressed more concern about the risk of infection compared to the risk of rejection and other unknown risks, while also expecting long-term survival similar to allograft transplantation for pig kidney xenografts.

The Roma population's fear of donating their own organs for transplantation

BACKGROUND

The refusal rate for donating organs among the Roma people is much higher than that of any other social group.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the attitude towards the donation of one's own organs among the Roma population living in Spain.

METHOD

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TYPE OF STUDY

Spanish national observational sociological study stratified by gender and age.

STUDY POPULATION

Roma population aged ≥15 years living in Spain.

SAMPLE SIZE

1,253 respondents. Assessment instrument: Validated questionnaire on attitude towards organ donation for transplantation "PCID - DTO Ríos". Field work: Random selection based on stratification. Anonymous and self-administered completion. The collaboration of people of Roma ethnicity was required.

STATISTICS

Student's t test, χ², Fisher's exact test and a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The degree of completion was 18.2% (n = 228). Of those who completed the questionnaire, 42.1% (n = 96) were in favor of donation, 30.3% (n = 69) were undecided and the remaining 27.6% (n = 63) were against it. Of the 1,025 (81.8%) who declined to complete the questionnaire, 1,004 (98%) indicated that it was for fear of speaking about and filling in a questionnaire that raises the issue of death and organ donation after death. If those who did not complete the questionnaire due to fear of death and donating organs after death are considered not in favor, the results would be as follows: 7.8% (n = 96) in favor of donating their organs compared to 92.2% (n = 1166) not in favor (against or undecided).

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of the Roma population prefer not speak of death nor organ donation after death. These findings show that current campaigns to promote organ donation are not effective in this population group.

Attitudes of patients with renal disease on xenotransplantation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Recent years have seen major advancements in xenotransplantation: the first pig-to-human heart transplant, the development of a brain-dead recipient model for kidney xenotransplantation, and the registration of the first xenokidney clinical trial. The attitudes of patients with kidney disease or transplants on xenotransplantation and an assessment of their reservations and considerations regarding the technology are crucial to successful clinical translation and eventual widespread implementation.

METHODS

This systematic review was registered through PROSPERO (CRD42022344581) prior to initiation of the study and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies that evaluated attitudes towards and willingness to undergo xenotransplantation in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), including those who had already undergone transplantation. MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase (via Elsevier), and Web of Science (via Clarivate) were searched from database inception to July 15, 2022 by an experienced medical librarian for studies on xenotransplantation and attitudes. Abstracts and full text were screened using Covidence software and data items regarding study methodology, patient demographics, and attitudes regarding xenotransplantation were extracted using Microsoft Excel. Risk of bias assessments were performed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programmed and National Institute of Health study quality assessment tools.

RESULTS

Of 1992 studies identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted across eight countries, four in the United States, for a total of 3114 patients on the kidney waitlist or with a kidney transplant. All patients were over 17 years old and 58% were male. Acceptance of a xenotransplant was assessed using surveys in 12 studies. Sixty-three percent (n = 1354) of kidney patients reported that they would accept a xenotransplant with function comparable to that of an allotransplant. Acceptance of xenografts with inferior function to allografts (15%) or as bridge organs (35%) to allotransplantation was lower. Specific concerns expressed by patients included graft function, infection, social stigma, and animal rights. Subgroup analyses showed higher acceptance in already transplanted compared to waitlist patients and white compared to Black Americans.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of patient attitudes and reservations is key to the successful execution of the first xenotransplantation clinical trials. This study compiles important factors to consider, such as patient concerns, attitudes regarding practical clinical scenarios for the use of xenotransplantation, and the impact of demographic factors on acceptance of this emerging technology.

French People's Views Regarding Xenotransplantation

BACKGROUND

French laypeople's views on xenotransplantation were examined.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 224 adults (among them, 37 nurses) judged of the acceptability of xenotransplantation in 50 realistic scenarios composed of various combinations of 4 factors: 1. the type of graft (eg, pig cardiac valve), 2. the level of urgency (eg, critical condition with very high risk of death in the short term), 3. the patient's or the family's level of consent (eg, the members of the family are divided on the issue), and 4. whether the transplantation was temporary or definitive. The ratings were subjected to cluster analysis and analyses of variance.

RESULTS

Seven qualitatively different positions were found that were termed Never acceptable (12%), Urgency (4%), Family consent (33%), Religious concerns (15%), Family consent and urgency (10%), Depends on all circumstances (4%), and Always acceptable (11%). Vegans and vegetarians expressed the Never acceptable position more often than nonvegetarians. Health professionals expressed the Family consent position more often than the public. Regular church attendees expressed the Religious concerns position more often than atheists did.

CONCLUSIONS

Few participants, mostly vegetarians, were opposed to xenotransplantation on principle. About one-third expressed positive views regarding xenotransplantation, either irrespective of circumstances or at least in those cases in which the patient's death is imminent and the family is not opposed for religious reasons. About one-half expressed positive views but deferred to the wishes of the family. The type of xenograft proposed had practically no effect on participants' views.

Population of Senegal Residents in Spain: Acceptance of Organ Xenotransplantation

INTRODUCTION

Spain is a great receptor of immigration from sub-Saharan people like the Senegalese. This population is not very familiar with the process of organ donation and transplantation, and even less toward new therapies related to transplantation, such as xenotransplantation (XenoTx).

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the attitude toward XenoTx among the Senegalese population living in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Population under study. Population born in Senegal and resident in Spain.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Sample of population over 15 years stratified by age and sex, according to census data and immigrant assistance associations.

INSTRUMENT

Validated questionnaire of attitude toward donation and organ transplantation "PCID-XenoTx-Ríos." Field work. Random selection of respondents based on stratification. The support of immigration support associations was required to obtain sample locations. The completion was anonymous and self-administered.

RESULTS

A sample of 468 Senegalese was obtained. Twenty percent (n = 92) would accept a solid organ xenotransplant if the results were similar to human organs, 40% (n = 188) have doubts, and 40% (n = 188) would not accept it. If the results were worse than with human organs, only 8% would accept it (n = 38). Respondents with a favorable attitude toward XenoTx presented a more favorable attitude toward cadaveric donation (70.5% vs 31.3%; P < .001). The attitude toward acceptance of XenoTx is related to socio-personal factors (P < .05), knowledge about the process of organ donation and transplantation (P < .05), social interaction factors (P < .001), and religious factors (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Senegalese residing in Spain do not have a favorable attitude toward XenoTx. A direct relationship between the attitude toward XenoTx and organ donation is observed.