title: Altruistic kidney donation to a stranger: psychosocial and functional outcomes at two US transplant centers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of living kidney donors with no preexisting relationship to the recipient has increased sharply. This study compared the psychosocial and functional outcomes of these altruistic donors to a stranger (ADs) with donors with a longstanding relationship with the recipient (traditional donors [TDs]).
  
  
  METHODS
  ADs (n=39) and TDs (n=52), who were similar on age, sex, and year of donation, were recruited from two transplant programs in the United States. Participants completed validated measures of psychosocial and functional outcomes a median of 5 years after donation (range, 1-12 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADs and TDs did not differ significantly in the total number of donation motives. Both were motivated by a desire to help, the benefits to the recipient outweighing the risks to the donor, a sense of moral duty, and imagining oneself in the position of the recipient. Psychological benefits were endorsed equally by both types of donors, although TDs reported higher Quid Pro Quo scores relative to ADs (P=0.04). ADs and TDs did not differ significantly on any of the Short Form-36, Version 2 scales (P values ranged from 0.19 to 0.85). Few donors (3 ADs and 1 TD) regretted their donation decision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, findings indicate that carefully screened ADs experience psychosocial and functional outcomes comparable with those of TDs and should not be systematically excluded from the opportunity to donate.
authors.affiliation: Center for Transplant Outcomes and Quality Improvement, The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. jrrodrig@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rodrigue
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Schutzer
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paek
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrissey
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation