A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) found older women receive kidney transplants much less frequent than older men and younger women. The results of the study reveal steps are needed to ensure women are provided equal opportunities to receive transplants as they age.
 
Researchers discovered women between ages 18 and 45 had the same access to transplants as men. Women between the ages of 46 and 55 had 3 percent less access, women aged 56 to 65 years had 15 percent less access, women aged 66 to 75 had 29 percent less access and women over 75 years old had 59 percent less access to a kidney transplant.
 
The findings of this study may help researchers develop ways to reduce disparities in kidney allocation.

This article originally appeared in the February 2009 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.