Does my donor kidney need to
be same sex and same colour as me?
For most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the
only treatment strategy is renal transplantation. Kidney transplantation has
become a better cost-effective alternative to dialysis as a result of several
improvements in early graft survival and long-term graft function. The first
kidney transplantation was performed about half a century ago in which the
transplant was performed from a live donor to his identical twin. After that,
the concept of living and non-living unrelated donor resulted in increasing the
number of organ donation in ESRD, and the number of kidney transplantations has
escalated over the last ten years.
The most successful transplant based on donor-recipient
gender has been observed in male donor to male recipient, and then male donor
to female recipient. In female transplant recipients, level of serum creatinine
and eGFR, positive dialysis history before transplant, and low donor hemoglobin
level can be considered as good prognostic factors recommended for kidney
transplant survival.
If organs are not matched based on race or ethnicity, why
can organ transplants be more compatible when made within the same ethnic
groups? The reason: The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). HLA antigens are
proteins found on most cells in our bodies. These antigens are inherited as a
unique set from our parents and regulate the immune system. When it comes to
kidney matching—the organ most needed by African American and Black
patients—HLA plays a big role. This is because HLA antigens between Caucasian
and African American/English candidates do not match as well. Currently,
African Americans make up more than 1/3 of the kidney transplant waiting list
nationally, yet only around 13% of the general population. This creates a
smaller pool of potential donor organs from African American/English donors and
means that African American/English transplant candidates may rely on organs
that do not match as well or may have to wait longer for a more suitable match.
I hope this article has answered a few questions surrounding
donation among the same sex and colour. Although you have the choice of
transplantation or dialysis, you may not be suitable for your choice, whatever
your choice you may still feel stuck and will have deliberate on making the
decisions or you have already been using either for your treatment. Why not
think of having a break in the UK, where? This week’s topic is nestled in the
beautiful Cotswold countryside are hundreds of small towns and villages just
waiting to be discovered at any time of the year. West Oxfordshire is
characterised by the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, offering excitement for
any visitor. You will find that some of the most beautiful Cotswold villages,
such as Minster Lovell and Burford, are in Oxfordshire. Relax with an afternoon
tea in a charming, honey-coloured Cotswold village.
#kidneytransplant #kidney #ckd #kidneydonor #ESRD #ethnicity
#Kidneyrecipient #samesex
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