Lianne Barnieh1, John Kanellis2, Stephen McDonald3, Jennifer Arnold1, Jessica M Sontrop4, Meaghan Cuerden1, Scott Klarenbach5, Amit X Garg1,4, Neil Boudville6. 1. Division of Nephrology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 2. Department of Nephrology, Monash Health and Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 5. Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. 6. Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To describe the direct and indirect costs incurred by Australian living kidney donors. METHODS: A total of 55 living kidney donors from three centres in Perth, Australia and one centre in Melbourne, Australia (2010-2014) was studied. Forty-nine donors provided information on expenses incurred during the donor evaluation period and up to 3 months after donation. A micro-costing approach was used to measure and value the units of resources consumed. Expenses were grouped as direct costs (ground and air travel, accommodation, and prescription medications) and indirect costs (lost wages and lost productivity). Costs were standardized to the year 2016 in Australian dollars. RESULTS: The most common direct costs were for ground travel (100%), parking (76%), and post-donation pain medications or antibiotics (73%). The highest direct costs were for air travel (median $1986 [three donors]) and ground travel (median $459 [49 donors]). Donors also reported lost wages (median $9891 [37 donors]). The inability to perform household activities or care for dependants were reported by 32 (65%) and 23 (47%) donors. Total direct costs averaged $1682 per donor (median $806 among 49 donors). Total indirect costs averaged $7249 per donor (median $7273 among 49 donors). Total direct and indirect costs averaged $8932 per donor (median $7963 among 49 donors). CONCLUSION: Many Australian living kidney donors incur substantial costs during the donation process. Our findings inform the continued development of policies and programmes designed to minimize costs incurred by living kidney donors.
AIM: To describe the direct and indirect costs incurred by Australian living kidney donors. METHODS: A total of 55 living kidney donors from three centres in Perth, Australia and one centre in Melbourne, Australia (2010-2014) was studied. Forty-nine donors provided information on expenses incurred during the donor evaluation period and up to 3 months after donation. A micro-costing approach was used to measure and value the units of resources consumed. Expenses were grouped as direct costs (ground and air travel, accommodation, and prescription medications) and indirect costs (lost wages and lost productivity). Costs were standardized to the year 2016 in Australian dollars. RESULTS: The most common direct costs were for ground travel (100%), parking (76%), and post-donation pain medications or antibiotics (73%). The highest direct costs were for air travel (median $1986 [three donors]) and ground travel (median $459 [49 donors]). Donors also reported lost wages (median $9891 [37 donors]). The inability to perform household activities or care for dependants were reported by 32 (65%) and 23 (47%) donors. Total direct costs averaged $1682 per donor (median $806 among 49 donors). Total indirect costs averaged $7249 per donor (median $7273 among 49 donors). Total direct and indirect costs averaged $8932 per donor (median $7963 among 49 donors). CONCLUSION: Many Australian living kidney donors incur substantial costs during the donation process. Our findings inform the continued development of policies and programmes designed to minimize costs incurred by living kidney donors.
Authors: Sebastian Przech; Amit X Garg; Jennifer B Arnold; Lianne Barnieh; Meaghan S Cuerden; Christine Dipchand; Liane Feldman; John S Gill; Martin Karpinski; Greg Knoll; Charmaine Lok; Matthew Miller; Mauricio Monroy; Chris Nguan; G V Ramesh Prasad; Sisira Sarma; Jessica M Sontrop; Leroy Storsley; Scott Klarenbach Journal: J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2018-11-07 Impact factor: 10.121