A recent study has explored the impact of panel reactive antibody (PRA) sensitization and ABO blood types on deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) opportunities. The study analyzed data from two cohorts: a hospital cohort with 4,722 patients and a national cohort with 18,974 patients. In both cohorts, patients with higher PRA levels had longer waiting times for DDKT and were less likely to undergo the procedure. Among the national cohort, patients with positive PRA had a longer waiting time for DDKT compared to those with negative PRA.
The study also found that ABO blood types played a role in DDKT opportunities. In both cohorts, patients with blood type AB had shorter waiting times for DDKT, while those with blood type O had longer waiting times. The competing risks regression analysis showed that blood type AB increased the probability of DDKT, while blood type O reduced the probability.
When considering the combination of PRA and ABO blood types, the study revealed a hierarchical pattern in DDKT opportunities. Patients with low PRA and blood type AB had the highest DDKT opportunity, while those with high PRA and blood type O had the lowest opportunity. The findings remained consistent in both the hospital and national cohorts.
These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing DDKT opportunities. By considering PRA levels and blood types, healthcare professionals can make more informed decisions regarding transplantation and develop strategies to improve access to DDKT for patients in need.
