A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported kidney failure patients who live far away from transplant centers were more likely to have transplant surgery than those living close to a center. The lowest rates of transplants were among patients living within 15 miles of a kidney transplant center, while the highest rates were seen in patients living more than 200 miles away.
 
The study results suggest efforts to improve access to transplantation should not focus on populations defined by residence location only. It also appears rural kidney failure patients may be more motivated to pursue transplantation because it is difficult to get to a dialysis center.

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