A new pan-European study highlights major differences in access to living-donor kidney transplants across Europe and identifies priorities for improving equity. The publication was led by Clinical Assistant Professor Andreas Kousios of the School of Medicine at European University Cyprus (EUC).
According to a University announcement, the study was published in Transplant International and brings together experts from across Europe to examine disparities in living-donor transplantation. These include differences related to geography, socioeconomic status and nationality, as well as variations in donor assessment, informed consent, long-term follow-up and access to kidney exchange programmes.
Challenging access
More than 500,000 people across Europe need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive, the announcement says. However, access to living-donor transplantation varies significantly depending on where patients live.
The research stresses the need to ensure that more patients have fair opportunities to benefit from this life-saving treatment.
Its priorities for the future include greater harmonisation of donor assessment, the expansion of national and cross-border kidney exchange programmes, better information about risks to donors, stronger long-term donor follow-up and better integration of European transplant data.
The study arose from a pan-European symposium organised by the European Kidney Transplant Association (EKITA) in cooperation with the DESCARTES Working Group of the European Renal Association.
EKITA has made the promotion of living-donor kidney transplantation a strategic priority for 2026–2027.
Source: CNA
