Determination of identifier factors for prioritization of kidney transplantation candidates in patients with chronic renal disease

BACKGROUND: In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) kidneys stop functioning effectively, and transplantation is considered as the best therapeutic intervention. Because of the increasing number of ESRD patients and the limited number of organ donors, identification of the right candidates for kidney transplantation on the waiting lists is of great importance. AIM: The purpose of the present study is to identify the factors affecting the prioritization of transplantation candidates based on the advice of a number of board-certified, local nephrologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 based on the Standard for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) protocol. In the first phase, 15 nephrology specialists were interviewed to collect their viewpoints, and results were analyzed based on the tagging framework. Then, a collection of the resulting factors were compiled into a checklist and validated using a Delphi method by 11 specialists. Eventually, final factors were selected using a weighting method followed by a practicality checking step. Weighting of factors was done by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique and Expert Choice 11.0 was used to analyze the weightings. RESULTS: After removing duplicates, 35 factors were extracted. Finally, using a Delphi study and the weighting method and a subsequent practicality checking step, 12 factors were identified. Age, body mass index, time on dialysis, history of kidney transplantation, and 8 other factors were among the final identified factors. The factor with the highest weight was simultaneous disease. CONCLUSION: Given the long waiting lists for kidney transplantation and the limited number of donated kidneys, selecting the candidate with highest priority is vital. Altogether, using these factors in the candidate identification process results in selecting the most suitable candidate for kidney transplantation; this may consequently increase the patient and graft survival rate.