Factors associated with the willingness to become a kidney transplant recipient ─ the results from a national cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) is considered the best method of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, providing them with better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic/clinical factors upon knowledge and attitude towards KT, and information support on the willingness to undergo KT among Polish dialysis patients.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to December 2024 in 99 dialysis centers in Poland in accordance with ethical approval and international research guidelines. The study included a group of 1,523 adult dialysis patients surveyed with the use of a 5-part self-report questionnaire and standardized tools.

RESULTS

In the studied group 834 subjects (55%) were willing to undergo KT, while 689 (45%) were reluctant. The dialysis patients with greater knowledge about KT, those who discussed with medical staff the possibility of organ donation from a living donor and those who considered receiving a kidney from either a living related or non-related donor (if legally permissible), were more likely to express willingness to become kidney transplant recipients. Conversely, those who were older, with longer dialysis treatment timespan and insufficient informational support regarding KT showed negative association with the willingness to consider renal transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that Polish dialysis patients have insufficient knowledge about KT. Higher knowledge and awareness were linked to greater willingness to undergo KT.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov (ID: NCT06148116) on 19/11/2023.