Background

In 2003, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) changed its policy to allow candidates with 'inactive' status to accrue time on the waitlist. In this study, we assessed the transplant outcomes among deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) recipients who were temporarily inactive specifically due to medical reason, i.e., being temporarily too sick (reason 7).

Methods

Using the UNOS database, adult DDKT recipients were divided into two groups: those who had never been inactivated (active group) and those with a history of being inactive due to reason 7 (reason 7 group). Patient and graft survival, 3-year risk of death, and graft failure were examined and compared.

Results

After 3 years of follow-up, patient survival in the reason 7 group was significantly lower than that of the active group (88.14% versus 91.93%, p < 0.01). The reason 7 group had a 20% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, HR 1.20, confidence interval, CI 1.04 - 1.38), a 16% increase in graft failure (HR 1.16, CI 1.06-1.28), and a 15% decrease in death-censored graft failure (HR 1.15, CI 1.01-1.31).

Conclusion

Recipients with a history of reason 7 have lower patient and graft survival when compared to the active group. Nonetheless, the margins of difference are minimal. Candidates with a history of reason 7 should not be discouraged from transplantation once they return to active status. Standardized criteria for placing candidates on inactive status should be developed to reduce disparities among transplant centers.