Women 'miss out on transplants'

The report claims some doctors may discriminate against women

Women, particularly the elderly, are far less likely to be put forward for a potentially lifesaving kidney transplant, according to research.

Analysis of records from thousands of kidney failure patients from Scotland revealed the difference, published in the British Medical Journal.

Women were a fifth less likely to get a transplant, and the over 60s had a much lower chance than younger patients.

Longer waits prior to transplant are linked to worse outcomes for patients.

The number of people with "end-stage renal failure" - the type who may need a transplant - has rocketed upwards in recent years.

In Scotland, there were 108 people per million with the condition in 1999, compared with 60 per million a decade earlier.

It's certainly not my experience that this kind of thing goes on Elizabeth Ward, President, British Kidney Patient Association

A team of researchers from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Scottish Renal Registry and NHS looked at more than 4,500 cases of end-stage renal failure, examining who got onto the waiting list, and who did not.

As well as finding that women and older people were less likely to progress, they discovered that coming from an area of high deprivation and having other illnesses such as diabetes also proved an obstacle.

Complex explanation

The researchers said that while the decision not to send an older patient for transplant might be influenced by the generally poorer health of the patient, reasons for women not getting the same treatment as men could be more complex.

Many were justified - relating either to the health of the patient, or their own wishes - but they said that sex bias might be a factor too.

"Explanations for the observed sex difference include patient preference, sex selection by health professionals, socioeconomic and health status, non-compliance and sex-based differences in family preferences," they wrote.

However, the possibility that there might be discrimination against female or older patients was challenged by Elizabeth Ward, the president of the British Kidney Patient Association.

She told BBC News Online: "It's certainly not my experience that this kind of thing goes on.

"I really don't understand how these conclusions have been reached. If someone is suitable for transplant they go on the transplant waiting list."