Dr Kimberley Crawford1, Mr Guoxi Yang1,2, Professor John Kanellis1,2, Dr Edward Zimbudzi1,2
1Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, , Australia, 2Department of Nephrology, Monash Health, , Australia
Biography:
Dr Kimberley Crawford is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Her research interests include chronic illness management, medication safety, medication adherence, transitions in care and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. She has previous experience undertaking quantitative research, including randomised controlled trials, qualitative research and mixed methods research at health services across Australia.
Kimberley also teaches a Masters unit, Research and Evidence for Practice. Her hope is to support more nurses to be able to undertake and lead their own research in the future.
Abstract:
Background
Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication following kidney transplantation, characterised by the need for dialysis within the first 7 days post‑transplant. DGF is associated with higher rejection rates and worse short- and long-term outcomes. Despite its prevalence, there is a scarcity of research exploring the risk factors related to DGF for kidney transplant recipients in Australia.
Aim
This study aimed to identify the risk factors for DGF in both deceased and live donor kidney transplant recipients
Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at one health service in Victoria. All eligible adult kidney-only transplant recipients who received a transplant between 1st January 2018 to 30th December 2023 from the participating health service were included. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the medical records. Univariate and multivariate hierarchical logistic regression were used to examine the associations between predictor variables and DGF.
Results
The study included n=351 kidney transplant recipients. The median (IQR) age of recipients was 53 years (43-62). Most recipients (82.3%) were undergoing their first transplant, and 20.7% received a kidney from a live donor. The incidence of DGF in the cohort was 33.6%. Recipient age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05), donation after brain death (OR 20.65, 95% CI 2.16–196.97), and donation after circulatory death (OR 48.97, 95% CI 6.31-644.38) were independently associated with increased odds of DGF.
Conclusion
Older recipient age and deceased donor type were key predictors of DGF. Understanding these predictors can strengthen pre transplant risk assessment and support strategies to reduce DGF.