Sensitization status of patients on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list: A single center experience

Objectives: We aimed to analyze the features of patients on the deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) waiting list, and risk factors associated with sensitization that affect panel reactive antibody (PRA) status in our center.

Materials and Methods: Patients’ data were collected retrospectively. PRA screening and definition tests were studied for class I (A, B, and C) and class II (DR, DP, DQ) antigens with Luminex every 6 months. Patients with PRA >5% and antibody strength >1000 median fluorescence intensity were considered as PRA positive. Based on the PRA status, the patients were divided into two groups: the PRA positive patient group and the negative group.

Results: A total of 338 patients (60% male, mean age 52.6±14.6 years) were included in the analysis. PRA positivity was detected in 117 (34.6) patients on the waiting list. Compared with the PRA negative patient group, the PRA positive patient group had higher rate of women and lower age (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The patients in the PRA positive group also had longer dialysis vintage (p=0.027), higher rate of blood transfusion history (p<0.001), organ transplant (p<0.001), and higher number of blood transfusion (p<0.001). Female gender (odd ratio [OR]:4.094, 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.275-7.368, p<0.001), history of blood transfusion (OR:2.027, 95% CI:1.131-3.633, p=0.018), and organ transplant (OR:16.894, 95% CI:7.212-39.578, p<0.001) were independent risk factors associated with PRA positivity.

Conclusion: Updates of the organ allocation system to consider sensitized patients and new strategies to expand the donor pool and donation rates are needed in Turkey.

Cite this article as: Erdoğmuş Ş, Kendi Çelebi Z, Turgut D, et al. Sensitization status of patients on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list: A single-center experience. Turk J Nephrol. 2022;31(4):342-347.