A study of knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation among Chinese kidney transplant recipients and candidates

• Published in: Xenotransplantation (Københaven) 2024-01, Vol.31 (1), p.e12843-n/a
• Main Authors: Tu, Yuhao, Zhao, Xiangli, Chen, Gang, Zhu, Lan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allografts; Animals; attitudes; China; Clinical trials; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognition; Graft rejection; Heart; Heterografts; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Transplantation; Kidney transplants; Knowledge; Statistical analysis; Swine; Transplantation, Heterologous; Xenografts; xenotransplantation
• ISSN: 0908-665X; 1399-3089
• DOI: 10.1111/xen.12843

Background In recent years, the implementation of the first case of pig‐to‐human heart xenotransplantation and the report of three cases of pig‐to‐brain‐dead human recipient kidney transplantation indicate that xenotransplantation is getting closer to clinical application. In the near future, China may also launch clinical trials of kidney xenotransplantation. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the level of knowledge and acceptance of xenotransplantation among kidney transplant recipients and candidates in China. This study aims to investigate the level of comprehension and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation in kidney transplant recipients and explore related factors, providing a reference for promoting the application and clinical trials of xenotransplantation in the near future. Methods A questionnaire was completed by 211 kidney transplant recipients and 21 candidates. Answers to the questionnaires were self‐administered by the respondents. Scores were compared using nonparametric tests, as well as using Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test to compare differences in answers. Results Respondents demonstrated a high score of 75 (out of 100) on knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation. The sector “Knowledge and Attitude” received the overall highest score from respondents (85.0 out of 100), while “Risks and Concerns” received the lowest score (50 out of 100). Interestingly, respondents paid more attention to infection risks but showed less concern about rejection or unknown risks. Furthermore, 191 respondents (82.3%) expected that pig kidney xenografts could function for at least 5 years or more. The scores were statistically significant in terms of age, gender, level of education, level of knowledge on the case of xenotransplantation clinical trial, and willingness to donate organs. cognition Conclusions The awareness rates of xenotransplantation are high among kidney transplant recipients and candidates, for which the majority showed a generally favorable attitude towards this procedure. Respondents did not have a comprehensive understanding of the specific knowledge of xenotransplantation and expressed more concern about the risk of infection compared to the risk of rejection and other unknown risks, while also expecting long‐term survival similar to allograft transplantation for pig kidney xenografts.