Living kidney donation a major life event - What do the donors say?

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M. Pronk, L. Timmerman, S. Janki, J. van de Wetering, W. Zuidema, J.N.M Ijzermans, J.J.V. van Busschbach, W. Weimar, E.K. Massey

Chair(s): dr. N.P. van der Kaaij

Thursday 9 march 2017

13:00 - 13:15h

Categories: Poster - Klinisch

Parallel session: Postersessie - Klinisch 3

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Introduction:
Professionals suggest that living kidney donation is a major life event, given that living kidney donors (LKDs) have to adjust their daily activities for a couple of weeks. To date it is unknown whether LKDs themselves experience the donation as a major life event and what the relative impact is compared to other life events. Insights into these questions are important for the education of potential LKDs.

Methods:
Data from 2 studies were combined. LKDs were interviewed 3 (n=111) and 12 months (n=127), or ≥36 months (n=614) postdonation. The last group was asked whether they experienced the donation as a major life event (yes/no). All LKDs were asked to recall all other events that impacted their lives in the past year (e.g. birth of a child and death of a parent). They completed two 10-point scales for each event and the donation: whether they have experienced the event as negative/positive and the impact of the event on their lives. Higher scores indicated a more positive experience and a higher impact. All life events were ranked based on their experience and impact score. The experience score of the donation was categorized as a negative (0-5) or positive (5.1-10) event. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether donors’ and recipients’ medical complications were associated with the impact and experience score.

Results:
45% of the donors experienced the donation as a major life event. The majority (95%) experienced the donation as positive. The median score for experience of the donation was 9 (range 0-10), which was comparable with ratings of marriage/cohabitation and moving house. Median scores for impact of the donation were 5, range: 0-10 (3 and 12 months postdonation) and 6, range: 1-10  (≥ 36 months postdonation). These were comparable with marriage/cohabitation and retirement. Donors who experienced more (recipient) medical  complications evaluated the donation more often as a negative and impactful event.

Conclusions:
Living kidney donation is generally experienced as a positive event with a relatively moderate impact on donors’ lives. Less than half of LKDs labeled the donation as a major life event. These findings can be used to inform potential LKDs and their families about the impact of living kidney donation. Nevertheless, professionals should be aware of the elevated impact of donation in case of (recipient) medical complications and provide these donors extra support if needed.