Objective: The demand for organ transplantation exceeds organ donation in France and refusal to organ donation remains close to 30%. This study analysed risk factors associated with refusal of organ donation.
Study design: Retrospective study.
Patients: All potential organ donors registered by the French transplantation agency between 1996 and 1999 were included, excepted those with a contraindication to organ procurement or a logistic problem: 5,911 donors were included.
Methods: Data analysed were those collected routinely on the French database. A logistic model was used to identify statistically significant factors and a stepwise procedure was performed to identify independent factors linked with refusal.
Results: In univariate analysis, age > 60 years and age < 13 years, stroke, lack of suicide, localisation in an university hospital and in others regions than the Centre-East of France were associated with a higher refusal rate. Year of harvesting, low level of organ procurement activity were not associated with refusal. In multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with refusal were age > 60 years [Odds-Ratio (OR) = 1.2)] or age < 13 years (OR = 1.5), stroke (OR = 1.2), meningitis and cranial tumour (OR = 1.4), suicide (OR = 0.5) and others French regions than Centre-East.
Conclusion: The risk factors described should be taking into account when family's members are approached for donation. They represent the interactions between the history of the donors, harvesting organisation, and sociocultural factors.