Perception of kidney transplant patients of the need for information about their donors

Abstract

Objective: To describe the perceptions of renal transplant patients of the need for information about their donors and the potential influence of their donors’ biological sex and age. Materials and methods: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional and prospective study. Kidney transplant patients over 18 years old who had been transplanted, at least, one year before were included. A semi-structured survey was conducted, and data were collected from medical records. Results: 104 patients were analyzed, 58% (n=60) were women; median age: 47 years; and median post-transplantation period: 7 years. Seventy-six percent (n=79) expressed that they were interested in knowing their donors’ biological sex and age (p<0.001). When asked whether they would choose their donors’ sex and age, only 13% (n= 14) answered that they would (p<0.001). When asked whether they felt that their donors’ sex and age might have an influence on them, 78% (n= 81) answered that they did not, while 22% answered that they did (p<0.001). Of the 79 patients who expressed an interest in knowing their donors’ biological sex and age, 62% (n=49) stated that appreciation was the reason for it (p=0.0025). Conclusion: The appreciation towards that person about whom only sex and age are known would allow patients to imaginarily construct their donors.