Peter P Reese1,2,3,4, Matthew B Allen5, Caroline Carney4, Daniel Leidy1, Simona Levsky6, Ruchita Pendse6, Adam S Mussell1, Francisca Bermudez7, Shimrit Keddem8, Carrie Thiessen9, James R Rodrigue10, Ezekiel J Emanuel3. 1. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Renal Division, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the Leonard Davis Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5. Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 6. School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 7. Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. 8. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Evaluation of the Patient Aligned Care Team, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 9. Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. 10. Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the consequences of being turned down for living kidney donation could help transplant professionals to counsel individuals considering donation. METHODS: In this exploratory study, we used survey instruments and qualitative interviews to characterize nonmedical outcomes among individuals turned down for living kidney donation between July 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. We assembled a comparator group of kidney donors. RESULTS: Among 83 turned-down donors with contact information at a single center, 43 (52%) participated in the study (median age 53 years; 53% female; 19% black). Quality of life, depression, financial stress, and provider empathy scores were similar between individuals turned down for donation (n = 43) and donors (n = 128). Participants selected a discrete choice response to a statement about the overall quality of their lives; 32% of turned-down donors versus 7% of donors (P < 0.01) assessed that their lives were worse after the center's decision about whether they could donate a kidney. Among turned-down donors who reported that life had worsened, 77% had an intended recipient who was never transplanted, versus 36% among individuals who assessed life as the same or better (P = 0.02). In interviews, the majority of turned-down donors reported emotional impact, including empathy, stress, and other challenges, related to having someone in their lives with end-stage kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Generic instruments measuring quality of life, depression, financial stress, and provider empathy revealed no significant differences between kidney donors and turned-down donors. However, qualitative interviews revealed preliminary evidence that some turned-down donors experienced emotional consequences. These findings warrant confirmation in larger studies.
BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the consequences of being turned down for living kidney donation could help transplant professionals to counsel individuals considering donation. METHODS: In this exploratory study, we used survey instruments and qualitative interviews to characterize nonmedical outcomes among individuals turned down for living kidney donation between July 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. We assembled a comparator group of kidney donors. RESULTS: Among 83 turned-down donors with contact information at a single center, 43 (52%) participated in the study (median age 53 years; 53% female; 19% black). Quality of life, depression, financial stress, and provider empathy scores were similar between individuals turned down for donation (n = 43) and donors (n = 128). Participants selected a discrete choice response to a statement about the overall quality of their lives; 32% of turned-down donors versus 7% of donors (P < 0.01) assessed that their lives were worse after the center's decision about whether they could donate a kidney. Among turned-down donors who reported that life had worsened, 77% had an intended recipient who was never transplanted, versus 36% among individuals who assessed life as the same or better (P = 0.02). In interviews, the majority of turned-down donors reported emotional impact, including empathy, stress, and other challenges, related to having someone in their lives with end-stage kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Generic instruments measuring quality of life, depression, financial stress, and provider empathy revealed no significant differences between kidney donors and turned-down donors. However, qualitative interviews revealed preliminary evidence that some turned-down donors experienced emotional consequences. These findings warrant confirmation in larger studies.
Authors: Sarah E Van Pilsum Rasmussen; Ann Eno; Mary G Bowring; Romi Lifshitz; Jacqueline M Garonzik-Wang; Fawaz Al Ammary; Daniel C Brennan; Allan B Massie; Dorry L Segev; Macey L Henderson Journal: Transplant Direct Date: 2020-06-08
Authors: Sarah E Van Pilsum Rasmussen; Miriam Robin; Amrita Saha; Anne Eno; Romi Lifshitz; Madeleine M Waldram; Samantha N Getsin; Nadia M Chu; Fawaz Al Ammary; Dorry L Segev; Macey L Henderson Journal: Transplant Direct Date: 2020-11-10