Abstract: SA-PO039
Adult Educational and Vocational Outcomes of Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients in Canada
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical Outcomes
October 27, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 1802 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Matsuda-Abedini, Mina, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Schiff, Jeffrey, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Harrison, Jennifer, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Foster, Bethany J., McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Background
There are a paucity of data on educational attainment and vocational outcomes in young adults who received solid organ transplants in childhood.
Methods
Young adults (18-25 years) who had received a solid organ transplant at <18y old completed questionnaires in outpatient transplant clinics at seven centres across Canada. The transplant cohort was compared with the age-matched general Canadian population over the same time period (2016-2017) using Statistics Canada survey data (over 3.5 million people 18-25 years).
Results
There were 161 transplant recipient participants with a mean age of 22 ±2.3 years; 55% were male. The median age at diagnosis of organ failure was 9.5 years [IQR 2, 15]. There were 112 (70%) who had received a kidney, 37 (23%) a liver, and 12 (7%) a heart.
Compared with the age-matched general population, transplant recipients were less likely to have a university degree (9.3% vs. 14.9%; risk difference -5.5% [95%CI -10.0% to -1.1%]; P=0.048) or to be employed (68.4% vs. 83.0%; risk difference -14.6% [95%CI –22.0% to -7.2%]; P<0.0001). Among those employed, a higher percentage of transplant recipients (81.6%) earned less than the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) compared to the general population (64.6%); risk difference 17.1%[95%CI 8.9% to 25.2%]; p<0.001). LICO is defined as an income threshold below which a family will likely devote a larger share of its income on the necessities of food, shelter, and clothing than the average family.
Conclusion
Young adult survivors of pediatric solid organ transplantation in Canada have lower educational achievement and are less likely to be employed than the age-matched general population. Similar findings were recently reported in Europe. In order to improve the educational and vocational outcomes, greater advocacy and support are needed for pediatric recipients of solid organ transplant as they transition to adulthood.
Funding
- Government Support - Non-U.S.