Level of acceptance of solid organ xenotransplantation among personnel in Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban hospitals. (9th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ríos, Antonio; Martínez‐Alarcón, Laura; López‐Navas, Ana; Ayala‐García, Marcos; Sebastián, Mª José; Abdo‐Cuza, Anselmo; Ramírez, Ector Jaime; Muñoz, Gerardo; Palacios, Gerardo; Suárez‐López, Juliette; Castellanos, Ricardo; González, Beatriz; Martínez, Miguel Ángel; Díaz, Ernesto; Nieto, Adrián; Ramis, Gillermo; Ramírez, Pablo; Parrilla, Pascual
• Is Part Of: Xenotransplantation. Volume 21:Number 1(2014:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 84
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2013-12-09
• Subjects: Xenografts -- Periodicals; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/xen.12074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0908-665X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="xen12074-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="xen12074-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Xenotransplantation is still a long way from becoming a clinical reality. However, in an emergency situation, it could be used as a bridge for replacing vital organs until the arrival of a human organ. To analyze the attitude toward xenotransplantation among hospital personnel from several hospitals in Spain and Latin America.</p> </sec> <sec id="xen12074-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A random sample stratified according to the type of hospital and job category (n = 2618) in 10 hospitals in three different countries: Spain (n = 821), Mexico (n = 1595), and Cuba (n = 202). A validated questionnaire (PCID—XenoTx Rios) was self‐administered and completed anonymously by the respondents.</p> </sec> <sec id="xen12074-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>If the results of xenotransplantation were similar to those achieved using human donor organs, 61% (n = 1591) of the respondents would be in favor, while 9% (n = 234) would be against and 30% (n = 793) would be unsure.</p> <p>The analysis of the variables affecting attitude toward xenotransplantation revealed that attitude varied according to the country of reference and was more favorable among personnel in Cuban hospitals (70% a favor) than in Spanish (57%) and Mexican ones (62%; P = 0.000). However, these differences are mainly determined by job category with the physicians having the most favorable attitude. The ancillary staff, in contrast, had the least favorable attitude (76 vs. 51% respectively; P = 0.000). Of the remaining variables, attitude is significantly related to variables connected to human donation: attitude toward the different kinds of human organ donation (deceased [P < 0.001] and living [P < 0.001]), the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P < 0.001), and attitude toward donating the organs of a deceased family member (P = 0.004).</p> </sec> <sec id="xen12074-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>A third of healthcare personnel from several hospitals are not in favor of xenotransplantation. It is necessary to provide more information about the matter, especially in hospitals where there is a preclinical xenotransplantation program or where there is access to one, such as in the hospitals in this study.</p> </sec> </abstract>