title: Patient self-referral for kidney transplantation.
abstract: A total of 634 patients referred for transplantation was followed for up to 5 yrs, 149 being self-referred and 485 being referred by their physicians. The survival rates of those transplanted in both groups were compared to those not transplanted. The self-referred group increased their chances of receiving a transplant by 20% and did not increase their risk of mortality. These findings suggest that transplantation should be recommended to all patients with end-stage renal failure as the procedure of choice.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009519:New York City; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous