Does a predialysis education program increase the number of pre-emptive renal transplantations?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Renal transplantation (RT) is the most appropriate form of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Pre-emptive RT decreases the rates of delayed graft function and acute rejection episodes, increasing patient and graft survival, while reducing costs and complications associated with dialysis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between a predialysis education program (PDEP) for patients and their relatives and pre-emptive RT. METHODS: We divided 88 live donor kidney transplant recipients into 2 groups transplantation without education (non-PDEP group; n = 27), and enrollment in an education program before RT (PDEP group n = 61). RESULTS: Five patients in the non-PDEP group underwent pre-emptive transplantation, versus 26 of the PDEP group. The rate of pre-emptive transplantations was significantly higher among the educated (42.62%) versus the noneducated group (18.51%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: PDEP increased the number of pre-emptive kidney transplantations among ESRD patients.