Obtaining consent for cornea donation. Influencing factors

Citation
Tr. Krieglstein et al., Obtaining consent for cornea donation. Influencing factors, OPHTHALMOLO, 98(6), 2001, pp. 545-549
Citations number
16
Language
TEDESCO
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Optalmology
Journal title
OPHTHALMOLOGE
ISSN journal
0941-293X → ACNP
Volume
98
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
545 - 549
Database
ISI
SICI code
0941-293X(200106)98:6<545:OCFCDI>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Background. The purpose of the study was to determine factors that influenc e the decision of the next living relative of a deceased for consent on cor nea donation. Methods. The interviews with the relatives of 94 potential cornea donors of the Eye Bank of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universistat, Munich were analysed. The influence of sociological factors on the frequency of obtained consent was investigated. Results. During a 3-month-period, 77 relatives of 94 possible donors were a sked for consent to cornea donation and 56 consents (73%) and 21 refusals ( 27%) were obtained. In 17 (18%) of the cases the relatives could not be rea ched. Analysis showed a higher consent rate for donors with a university de gree (82%) versus those without (71%). Consent was more often obtained for donors who were divorced (88%) than from those who were single (62%). Child ren of full age (83%) consented more frequently to cornea donation than hus bands and wives (78%) or the parents of the deceased (60%). Examination of the postal codes of the residential area indicated more frequent refusals f or donors from the rural (54% consent rate) than the urban Munich populatio n (77% consent rate). The situation was the opposite for the residential ar ea of the consenting relative where there was a higher willingness to donat e in cases of suicide (93%) in contrast to other causes such as nat and tra ffic accidents (71%). Conclusion. Socio-economic factors such as education, marital status, resid ential area and situational factors such as the cause of death, play an imp ortant role on the willingness to consent to donate. This study can improve the understanding of the donor family's decision making and as such help t he physician asking for consent and improve information to the public which may increase the number of cornea donors in Germany.