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. 2024 Dec;193(6):3053-3058.
doi: 10.1007/s11845-024-03769-4. Epub 2024 Aug 1.

Kidney failure amongst Irish Travellers

Paul O'Hara  1 , Husam Alzayer  2   3 , Luke Harris  4 , David Gorey  4 , Edward McMonagle  5 , Michelle Madden  6 , Elhussien Elhassan  2 , Donal Reddan  4 , Liam Casserly  5 , Sean Leavey  6 , Peter Conlon  2
Affiliations

Kidney failure amongst Irish Travellers

Paul O'Hara et al. Ir J Med Sci. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of Kidney Failure with Replacement Therapy (KFRT) amongst Irish Travellers has not been well described. This study aims to determine the burden of KFRT amongst the Irish Traveller population and identify determinants of health amongst this cohort which may differ from the general population in Ireland.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included self-identifying Irish Travellers with KFRT registered in the National Kidney Disease Clinical Patient Management System between 1995 and 2022. KFRT was defined as Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5 (CKD G5) treated by dialysis or CKD G1-G5 after transplantation. The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of KFRT in Irish Travellers. Secondary exploratory outcomes included age at diagnosis, family history, biopsy diagnosis, kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modality, time to initiation of KRT, primary vascular access used, and time to receive a kidney transplant.

Results: Four of six Irish hospital groups participated in the study. A total of 38 patients were identified as Irish Travellers with KFRT, with a crude prevalence rate of KFRT of 0.12% (CI 0.084-0.161, 95%) or 11.9 per 10,000 Irish Travellers. The mean age for diagnosis of kidney disease was 43 (SD, 20.8) and at commencement of KRT was 45 (SD, 20.9) years. A biopsy-proven diagnosis was provided in 24%. Twenty-two per cent was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease or congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. The predominant modality for KRT was haemodialysis (89%), with central venous catheters being the most common initial vascular access (79%). Kidney transplants occurred in 45% of those studied, with a mean waiting time of 1.96 (SD, 1.6) years.

Conclusions: The Irish Traveller community have similar prevalence of KFRT when compared to the national prevalence, with a short time interval from diagnosis to commencement of KRT. They are less likely to avail of home therapies but have comparable wait times to the national waiting time to receive a kidney transplant.

Keywords: Inclusion health; Irish Travellers; Kidney Failure with Replacement Therapy; Kidney replacement therapy; Preventive medicine; Roma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: This retrospective observational cohort study was approved by the respective Research and Audit Committees of Beaumont Hospital, Galway University Hospital, University Hospital Limerick, and University Hospital Waterford. The study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent amendments. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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