Factors Affecting Access to the Kidney Transplant Waiting List in Eastern Hungary

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is the best available treatment choice for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease; however, not all patients with end-stage renal disease have equal access to it. The aim of the study was to measure the factors that may influence access to the kidney transplant waiting list in eastern Hungary. A total of 254 patients with renal failure between 18 and 75 years old from 8 dialysis centers participated in the study. The factors associated with access to the waiting list were identified by univariate descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis where the outcome variable was placement on the kidney transplant waiting list. Our findings demonstrates that patients registered on the waiting list were younger (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.98), were male (OR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.98), were economically active (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.98), and had greater knowledge in the field (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03-1.33). Disparity in access to the kidney transplant waiting list in Hungary does exist.