Kidney Res Clin Pract.  2019 Mar;38(1):116-123. 10.23876/j.krcp.18.0068.

Outcomes of end-stage renal disease patients on the waiting list for deceased donor kidney transplantation: A single-center study

• Jeon HJ
• Bae HJ
• Ham YR
• Choi DE
• Na KR
• Ahn MS
• Lee KW

• KMID: 2447151
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.18.0068

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Kidney transplantation is an effective renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, we assessed the impact of the baseline characteristics and comorbidities of ESRD patients on the probability of deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) and evaluated the morbidity and mortality during the time spent waiting.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 544 ESRD patients on the waiting list for DDKT at Chungnam National University Hospital in South Korea between February 2000 and October 2015. The patients were observed from the date of transplantation list registration to the date of transplantation. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were investigated together with new-onset comorbidities that occurred during the waiting time.
RESULTS
Diabetes mellitus (39.0%), hypertension (25.2%), and glomerulonephritis (21.3%) were the three most common causes of ESRD in this study, and coronary artery disease (9.4%) was the most common comorbidity. The 115 patients (19.3%) who underwent DDKT had a mean waiting time of 1,711 days (768-2,654 days or 4.68 years [2.10-7.27]). Blood groups other than type O, peritoneal dialysis, and nondiabetic ESRD were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of DDKT. Infection was the leading cause of death and the most common comorbidity that arose during the waiting time. Patients who experienced cardiovascular events during the waiting time showed a lower transplant rate compared with those who did not.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of comorbidities was high in renal transplantation candidates. During the often-long waiting time, new comorbidities may occur, with long-term sequelae limiting access to kidney transplantation or resulting in death.

Keyword

Comorbidity; End-stage renal disease; Kidney transplantation; Waiting lists

MeSH Terms

Blood Group Antigens
Cause of Death
Chungcheongnam-do
Comorbidity
Coronary Artery Disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Glomerulonephritis
Humans
Hypertension
Kidney Failure, Chronic*
Kidney Transplantation*
Kidney*
Korea
Mortality
Peritoneal Dialysis
Prevalence
Renal Replacement Therapy
Tissue Donors*
Waiting Lists*
Blood Group Antigens