Removing race from kidney function algorithm helped more Black patients access transplants

For years, doctors relied on a medical formula that unintentionally made it harder for Black patients to receive kidney transplants. Medical professionals use a tool called the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, to measure how well a person's kidneys are functioning. Until recently, this algorithm automatically inflated the scores for Black patients by 16% to 21%.

While higher scores might sound positive, they actually worked against these patients. The artificially inflated numbers made it look like their kidneys were much healthier than they truly were. This hidden severity masked serious kidney disease and ultimately delayed urgently needed organ transplants.

The medical community has since taken steps to correct this wrong. After phasing out the biased equation, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network required transplant programs to adjust the waitlist status for affected Black patients. By removing race from the algorithm, doctors have improved transplant access for Black patients. Researchers note one limitation in the current data is that the exact numerical increase in transplant access and the specific sample sizes of the affected population are not yet detailed.