Background: Improvements in transplantation have increased the survival of children after kidney transplantation. These patients have complex needs, and the current medical system is not prepared to effectively transfer the care of these individuals from pediatric to adult health-care systems. Too often, transfer occurs during moments of crisis and is associated with poor outcomes.
Objective: The aim of this study was to use a national database, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, to test the hypothesis that the increased risk of graft loss after transfer of care (from pediatric to adult services) for young adult kidney transplant recipients over a 2- to 3-year posttransfer follow-up period was related to these posttransfer risk factors (medication noncompliance, acute rejection, insurance status).
Design: A retrospective, longitudinal, correlational design using secondary data was used to evaluate the transfer of care of 250 kidney transplant recipients (ages 16-25).
Results: Seventy-seven (30.8%) individuals lost their graft within 3 years after transfer of care. Medication noncompliance, acute rejection, and serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL at transfer were significant predictors of graft loss after accounting for multiple other factors.
Conclusion: These individuals are at risk for graft loss after transfer of care and may benefit from increased personalized care during this risky period.
Keywords: acute rejection; adolescence; graft loss; noncompliance; serum creatinine; transfer of care.