Chronological Changes in Emotional Status and Vaccine Implementation Rate Among Patients on the Waiting List for Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplantation During the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

To investigate the emotional attributes and vaccine implementation rate of patients waiting for kidney transplants during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. We included 145 patients who were on the waiting list at our institution. Clinical information was obtained from medical charts, and emotional changes were assessed using a telephone questionnaire comprising 13 questions, including vaccine implementation. We also investigated factors affecting the decision to accept or decline deceased-donor kidney transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 145 patients, 121 (83.4%) provided informed consent and completed the questionnaire. The median age at registration on the waiting list for deceased-donor kidney transplantation and the median waiting period was 45.5 years and 103 months, respectively. This cohort comprised 84 males and 37 females. Twenty patients (16.5%) were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 15 (12.4%) were more curious about deceased-donor kidney transplantation. One hundred patients (82.6%) were vaccinated against COVID-19 more than thrice. Thirty patients (24.8%) declined, and 91 patients (75.2%) accepted an organ transplant offer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate analysis revealed that the long-term waiting period (P=.038) and anxiety about COVID-19, such as visiting the transplant facility (P < .0001) and prudence over time (P < .0001), were independent factors influencing the decline of a kidney transplant offer. Our findings suggest that some patients hesitated to undergo deceased-donor kidney transplantation during the pandemic. There is a need to develop an appropriate system to ensure safe and secure kidney transplantation during prolonged pandemics.