Kidney transplant outcomes in the Indigenous population in the Northern Territory of Australia
BACKGROUND: Indigenous Australians develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at a significantly higher rate than nonindigenous Australians. Renal transplantation is the preferred treatment modality; however, they are underrepresented in the transplanted population. In addition, despite the morbidity and mortality gains demonstrated in other patient groups, it is unclear whether such an advantage is replicated for indigenous Australians. We have sought to identify some of the factors that lead to poorer outcomes within this group of recipients.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort of renal transplant recipients (indigenous and nonindigenous) from the Northern Territory of Australia.
RESULTS: Indigenous patients waited longer on dialysis, were more sensitized at the time of transplantation, and the number of human leukocyte antigen mismatches was greater. Overall renal allograft survival is poorer among indigenous Australians (HR 4.13, 2.0-8.5, P<0.0001) with the majority of grafts lost due to recipient death. The most common cause of death was septicemia. Graft loss due to any cause has not been influenced by the absence of full-time specialist staff at major treatment centers. Infection rates are greatly increased in indigenous patients (RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.5-4.7, P<0.0001), in addition to the incidence of rejection (RR 2.5 95% CI 1.8-3.5, P<0.001) and hospitalization (RR 3.9, 95% CI 3.2-4.9, P<0.0001). There is increased steroid exposure among indigenous recipients.
CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous recipients of cadaveric kidney transplants have worse outcomes than nonindigenous recipients, mostly due to increased mortality and morbidity from infective causes.
History
Publication title
TransplantationVolume
82Issue
7Pagination
882-6ISSN
0041-1337Department/School
Tasmanian School of MedicinePublisher
Lippincott Williams & WilkinsPlace of publication
530 Walnut St, Philadelphia, USA, Pa, 19106-3621Rights statement
Copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams & WilkinsRepository Status
- Restricted