#1181

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kidney Transplantation in Australia: A 20-Year National Retrospective Study

D. Sitharthan¹

¹Nepean Hospital, Urology, Sydney, Australia

Introduction:

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease, significantly enhancing patient longevity and quality of life. Despite its clinical importance, transplant services worldwide faced substantial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of kidney transplantation rates in Australia from 2004 to 2023, examining the profound effects of the pandemic on transplant activities and their recovery trajectory.

Material and methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis using transplantation data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), covering all kidney grafts performed in Australia from 2004 to 2023. Annual transplantation rates were calculated and standardised per million population using Australian Bureau of Statistics data, ensuring demographic changes were accurately reflected. Trends were compared between pre-pandemic (2004–2019), pandemic (2020–2021), and post-pandemic recovery periods (2022–2023).

Results:

Between 2004 and 2023, a total of 18,574 kidney transplants were performed in Australia. The overall transplantation rate significantly increased pre-pandemic, peaking at 45.36 per million in 2018. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates dramatically declined to a two-decade low of 33.36 per million in 2021, representing a 26.5% reduction from pre-pandemic peaks. However, the immediate post-pandemic years (2022–2023) demonstrated notable recovery, with transplantation rates rebounding to 40.84 per million by 2023. The number of living donor transplants also markedly decreased during the pandemic, with a modest recovery observed post-pandemic.