KDPI and EPTS Scoring

[horsie63]

So the transplant center's educational material that they have me reviewing talks about KDPI (score of the kidney to be received) and EPTS (my score). According to the material you can chose yes or no for a kidney scoring over 85% (0-100) or just (0-85). The Kidney Donor Profile Index or KDPI score is generated off the donor's health history and gives a rough estimate how long that transplant might last.

Has anyone heard of this? If I chose the 0-100 I probably won't have to wait as long and I think the Hep C kidneys belong here. I don't mind the hep c since it's curable.

[Peyton050621]

I chose any score for the same reason; to have a greater chance of getting a kidney. Hep C is curable. However, I still got a young, healthy kidney; no Hep C. Thank God.

[Gardner-NY]

Hello, I don't recall a score system being discussed in 2017 when my spouse got on the wait list (got Kidney Nov 2018), but it was discussed in detail about would he be willing to take a "high risk" kidney, or not, like a person had been in prison, or had multiple sex partners, or behaved in high risk life activities. I feel that correlates to what you wrote with number ranges. Good luck in your journey.

[Beachgirl32]

Yep I had to sign those papers I did sign ok for the hep c cause they can cure that . They said when they call and give me the number if it over 85 I can decide if I want to accept it they told me usually that an older kidney or one that won’t last as long . My cousin accepted one and it didn’t work for her she was blessed to get another offer with a better kidney two months later .

[bluekidney]

Hello from my experience when I was first starting the transplant orientation they went over KDPI numbers the lower the score the better the quality of the kidney. After medical evaluation the transplant committee reviews your case and assigns you your KDPI is what the team called it during my evaluation. In your case it’s referred to as the EPTS score and then you are given the choice to select what range of kidney KDPI scores you are willing to accept. I initially chose the broad range as well thinking it would help me move up the group faster but as the transplant nephrologist explained there are different formulas and criteria in the UNOS system that determine when you will be getting a call. Location and blood type are also big factors. I had originally been told my wait time would be 8-10 years based on my blood type. She also said that for me she wouldn’t allow a higher KDPI she wanted a strong kidney based on my age and longevity and because of these factors it would mean a wait of 4-6 years vs 8-10. I also initially declined Hep C and Hep B kidneys. As my transplant timeline came closer they re-evaluated and offered the Hep C and Hep B kidneys again they explained everything carefully I still declined but after reviewing it again with the Nephrologist I agreed to sign for Hep C kidney she said she didn’t want me to sign for Hep B although she said it was treatable I can’t remember her reasoning. Ten months later I received the call and it was a Hep C kidney. The donor’s Hep C was cured before the transplant. It was the best decision for me and I am grateful I made that choice.

Sorry for such a long story. I wish you good luck in your journey.

[horsie63 in reply to bluekidney]

I appreciate you taking the time to explain. I’d rather have more than not enough since this is foreign territory me.