NIV Congres

Background The first unspecified donation (formerly known as anonymous or altruistic donation) was performed in 2000 in Rotterdam. Since 2007 unspecified living kidney donors have been accepted in all 8 university centers in The Netherlands. However, little is known about the psychosocial screening of these donors. In this study we describe the psychosocial screening of unspecified living kidney donors in the 8 kidney transplant centers in The Netherlands.

Methods We collected data about which professionals conduct the screening, which validated instruments are used, and what the psychosocial contraindications are. From each center the living donor coordinator responded to this questionnaire.

Results In all centers a multidisciplinary team is involved in the screening of unspecified living kidney donors. Most donors are screened by a nephrologist, social worker and a nurse practitioner / living donor coordinator. A consultation is also included with a psychologist or psychiatrist. One center added an independent physician for the unspecified donor screening. Four centers use the SCL-90 (a clinical diagnostic self-report scale for psychological complaints). One center uses a NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) assessment (a personality test). Three centers do not use validated questionnaires. In all centers the psychologist used the same topics during the interview: motivation for donation, reality awareness, realistic expectations of donation, and psychiatric illness in the past. Contraindications include active psychosis or addiction, personality disorder and psychosocial instability. In one center age is a contraindication, unspecified donors must be older than 25 years.

Conclusion All centers screened the unspecified living kidney donors with a psychologist / psychiatrist using an in-depth clinical interview. Sixty-three percent of the team used additional validated questionnaires. Psychosocial screening of unspecified living kidney donors is based on the National and International guidelines, but there are variations in the contraindications used.