Factors affecting mortality during the waiting time for kidney transplantation: A nationwide population-based cohort study using the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) database

BackgroundLong waiting time for deceased donor kidney transplant is inevitable due to the scarcity of donor, resulting in highlighting the importance of waiting time care. We analyzed the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) database to assess the impact of waiting time on post-transplant survival outcomes and investigate risk factors for mortality by waiting time based on a complete enumeration survey in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed all persons aged over 18 years in deceased donor kidney transplant cases enrolled in the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) database from January 2000 to January 2015. The primary end point was all-cause mortality after enrollment.ResultsOf the 24,296 wait-listed subjects on dialysis, 5,255 patients received kidney transplants from deceased donors, with a median waiting time of 4.5 years. Longer waiting times had distinct deleterious effects on overall survival after transplantation. While waiting for a transplant, patients with diabetes were more likely to die before transplantation (HR 1.515, 95% CI 1.388–1.653, pConclusionsMore attention should be focused on patients with a higher risk of mortality while waiting for a deceased donor kidney transplant, such as patients with diabetes, those of advanced age, and those who are male.