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Donor factors linked to pancreas transplant use changed over time

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Research area:medicine-clinicalclinical-methods

What the study found

The study found that multiple donor factors were associated with whether a pancreas was used for transplant, and that these decisions changed over time. The most influential continuous factors were age, body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight), and peak creatinine (a kidney function marker).

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that the findings show significant shifts in pancreas transplant decision-making over time. They say growing reluctance to use donation after circulatory death (DCD, donation after the heart has stopped) donors is an area to focus U.S. pancreas utilization efforts, while increasing acceptance of hepatitis C positive and intravenous drug use (IVDU) donors may support broader use of these donor groups globally.

What the researchers tested

The researchers conducted a population-cohort study using U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant Network registry data from 2010 to 2024. They used multivariable regression models to test associations between donor characteristics and pancreas utilization, and they used restricted cubic splines to model non-linear relationships plus interaction terms with donation date to examine changes over time.

What worked and what didn't

The study identified 23 donor factors significantly associated with pancreas utilization across 133,986 donors and 14,612 transplants. Donation after circulatory death had much lower odds of utilization, with 92% lower odds than the comparison group, while age, body mass index, and peak creatinine showed significant non-linear relationships with utilization. Over time, clinicians became less willing to use DCD donors and older donors, but more willing to use hepatitis C positive and IVDU donors.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe study limitations in detail. The data come from U.S. registry records, so the findings directly reflect U.S. practice and the time period studied.

Key points

  • Twenty-three donor factors were significantly associated with pancreas utilization.
  • Age, body mass index, and peak creatinine were the most important continuous donor factors.
  • Donation after circulatory death was associated with 92% lower odds of pancreas use.
  • Reluctance to use DCD donors and older donors increased over time.
  • Acceptance of hepatitis C positive and IVDU donors increased over time.

Disclosure

Research title:
Donor factors linked to pancreas transplant use changed over time
Authors:
Chahana A Patel, Georgios Kourounis, Leonie van Leeuwen, Matthew L. Holzner, Vikram Wadhera, M.Z. Akhtar, Sander Florman, Angeles Maillo-Nieto, James Shaw, Steven White, Colin Wilson, Samuel James Tingle
Institutions:
Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Newcastle University, Newcastle University, Newcastle University, Newcastle University, Newcastle University, Newcastle University, NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant, NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre
Publication date:
2026-03-07
DOI:
10.1038/s43856-026-01506-9
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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