Attitudes of donors towards organ transplantation in living related kidney transplantations.
The demand for transplantation exceeds the availability of cadaveric organs, which is why the importance of living, related kidney transplantation is increasing. In our study we wanted to evaluate the experiences of living related donors (LRD). Between 1973 and 1996, 1325 kidney transplantations were performed at our Department. Of these 1247 were from cadaver donors while 78 were from LRD. We contacted each living donor by post. We carried out a physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound and isotope investigations and they were interviewed and completed a questionnaire. Thirty previous kidney donors came to our Department who were all blood relatives of the recipients. In the recipient group, 16 still have a functioning kidney, the average time since transplantation being 8.92 years. The longest kidney survival time is 18 years. All the donors willingly donated their kidney, none was worried about their own health and their only concern was whether the kidney would function or not. Regarding general attitudes towards living related organ transplantation, all were in favour of blood relative donor transplantation and also husband/wife transplantation. Opinions regarding non-related transplantation were more mixed; 63.3% would have given their kidneys to a friend, only 46.6% to a stranger. Almost two-thirds (63.3%) of donors were not in favour of selling and buying organs but, controversially, they would have bought an organ had one been available. All agreed that the donation did not change their general health. In conclusion, the donors of living, related kidney transplantation all agreed that it was a good thing to donate; All confirmed they would go through the same procedure again in order to help. Apart from one person, who emphasised that he is agnostic, all belonged to a Christian religion.
Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Department, Budapest, Hungary. toronyi@trans.sote.hu
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E
Toronyi
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Alföldy
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Járay
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A
Remport
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Máthé
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Szabó
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Gáti
F
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Perner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*