Attitude of Hemodialysis Patients Toward Renal Transplantation: A Moroccan Interregional Survey

Introduction

Kidney transplantation (KT) is considered the treatment of choice for many patients with severe chronic kidney disease because quality of life and survival are often better than in patients who undergo dialysis. This study assessed patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding KT.

Patients and Methods

A total of 2066 hemodialysis patients were investigated as part of the ARTEMIS (Attitude Toward Renal Transplantation and Eligibility Among Dialysis Patients in a Moroccan Interregional Survey) study.

Results

Patients' mean age was 52.9 years, and the mean duration of hemodialysis was 55.3 months. Among these patients, 73.3% would like to undergo transplantation. Among the subjects wishing to be transplanted, 75.7% would accept the graft from a living or a cadaveric donor; 17.8% would refuse transplantation from a related living donor; and 6.5% would reject organs from donors after brain death. Approximately 17% of patients have a potential related living donor. The main motivating factor for KT was fluid restriction and diet constraints (43.3%). One third of patients believe that Islam does not allow organ donation from a related living donor, and almost one half think that it is prohibited from a brain-dead donor. Independent factors affecting patients' attitude toward KT were young age, male gender, persistence of residual diuresis, availability of a related living donor, and better information on the subject of transplantation.

Conclusions

To improve hemodialysis patients' accessibility to KT, patients, their families, and other support providers need better information. Awareness campaigns are needed to promote organ donation.