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Racial/Ethnic Differences in Barriers to Kidney Transplant Evaluation among Hemodialysis Patients

Authors :
Zhiying You
Jessica Kendrick
Derek Jones
Source :
American Journal of Nephrology. 47:1-7
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
S. Karger AG, 2017.

Abstract

Background: Only a small percentage of dialysis patients receive a transplant and this is particularly the case for racial/ethnic minorities. Our objective was to identify barriers to initial transplant evaluation in our dialysis centers. Methods: We conducted a survey of adult hemodialysis patients from 4 dialysis units in the Denver Metro area in 2016. Participants completed an 11-item survey with demographic information and questions regarding time on dialysis, if a provider ever spoke to them about transplant, and whether they had been evaluated for a transplant. Reasons for not having an evaluation were explored. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and multivariate analyses were used to examine the responses. Results: A total of 167 patients completed the survey (response rate 63.9%). The majority of participants were male and were Hispanic (49%) or Non-Hispanic black (31.7%). Of these, 140 patients (84.0%) reported discussing kidney transplantation with their doctor but only 53% reported having a transplant evaluation. After adjustment for age, gender, and time on dialysis, significantly fewer blacks reported having an evaluation than Non-Hispanic whites or Hispanics (43.4 vs. 57.7% [whites] and 59.7% [Hispanics], p = 0.03). The most frequent responses of the patients who had not been evaluated were the following: not referred by their provider (46%), did not know how to proceed (43.4%), or did not understand the benefits (39.5%) or transplant process (38.2%). Compared to Non-Hispanic whites, blacks and Hispanics reported less understanding of the benefits and process of transplant. Conclusion: Timely referral by providers and improved kidney transplantation education may reduce disparities in access to kidney transplantation.

Details

ISSN :
14219670 and 02508095
Volume :
47
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
American Journal of Nephrology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....ec760ebcc8c4458360d96adae63148de
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1159/000484484