Screening Protocol for Patients Needing a Kidney, Kidney-Pancreas, or Islet Cell Transplant

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for most end-stage kidney disease. This procedure is limited, however, by two major factors: 1) a shortage of donor organs and 2) organ rejection by the recipient. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is screening patients with kidney failure or diabetes who may be eligible for kidney, kidney and pancreas, or islet cell transplantation.

Patients in this screening study are not offered treatment. When the screening is complete, patients will be offered an opportunity to participate in another institute study, or, if there are no active studies appropriate for the patient, other options will be suggested to the primary or referring physician. Patients found eligible for a study are not obligated to participate.

Screening for all patients typically consists of blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiogram, PPD tuberculosis screen and pregnancy test. Chest and kidney X-rays and other studies may be done on patients determined eligible for a particular study, including transplantation. A summary of all test results will be sent to the referring physician unless the patient requests otherwise.

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