Predictors of candidate maturation among potential living donors

Elizabeth C. Verna, Kristel H. Hunt, John F. Renz, Dianne La Pointe Rudow, Sylvia Hafliger, Lorna M. Dove, Milan Kinkhabwala, Jean C. Emond, Robert S. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The shortage of deceased donor allografts and improved outcomes in partial organ transplantation have led to widespread application of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. Donor selection limits overall utilization of this technique and predictors of candidate maturation have been inadequately studied to date. We therefore collected data on 237 consecutive potential donors including their age, sex, ethnicity, relationship to the recipient, education, employment and religious beliefs and practices. Of these 237 candidates, 91 (38%) were excluded for medical and psychosocial reasons, 53 (22%) withdrew from the process predonation and 93 (39%) underwent partial liver donation. In multivariate analyses, the relationship between the donor and the recipient was highly predictive of successful donation. For pediatric recipients, no parents voluntarily withdrew from the evaluation process. For adult recipients, spouses are the most likely to donate, followed by parents, children and siblings. Additional predictors for donation included self-description as religious but not regularly practicing, part-time employment and higher education. Race, ethnicity, gender and age did not predict donation in multivariate analysis. Further understanding of the complex decision to donate may improve donation rates as well as permit more efficient and cost-effective donor evaluation strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2549-2554
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation
Volume5
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Demographics
  • Liver transplant
  • Living donor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Transplantation
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Predictors of candidate maturation among potential living donors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this