A 15-Year Review of Corneal Transplant in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze 15-year of corneal transplant in Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective, observational, and analytical study, between available data from the Brazilian Transplant Registry (January 2002–December 2016), collected by the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation was performed. The variables analyzed per year were number of corneal transplants, corneal transplants per million people (pmp), corneal transplant teams, and individuals on the waiting list for corneal transplants. Quantitative variables were expressed by their respective values. To verify the relationship of time with the variables, the Spearman correlation test was applied, adopting P<0.05 for rejection of the null hypothesis. Results: Evaluation of the data from 2002 to 2016 revealed an increase in number of (1) corneal transplants (4,976–14,534—approximately 292% in 15 years; P<0.0001); (2) corneal transplants pmp (29.4–71.1 pmp; P<0.0001); (3) productivity of corneal transplants teams (40.1–79 transplants by each team per year; P=0.067); (4) effectiveness in meeting the Brazilian population demand for corneal transplants per year (18.2%–57.0%; P<0.0001); (5) potential donors (P<0.0001), effective donors (P<0.0001), and nondonors (P<0.0001). There was a reduction in the number of patients on the waiting list (19,189–10,923; P=0.056). Conclusion: Despite the progress in the last decade, the number of corneal transplants in Brazil cannot meet the growing population demand. Thus, this study suggests the implementation of more effective public policies of corneal transplants in Brazil, to minimize disparities in national territory, adequately meet the population demand, and reduce the time in waiting lists for corneal transplants.

Trends in Corneal Transplantation in a Tertiary Hospital in Brazil

“…However, some Brazilian states have waiting lists longer than 2 years. 48,50,51 There are some limitations in our study. This study was a retrospective review, and the hospital EMR was the primary information source.…”

“…Organ and tissue distributions are controlled by the Brazilian National Transplant System, part of the Ministry of Health. 48,49 From a global perspective, Brazil is considered a self-sufficient country (with nationally procured corneas equivalent to its CT rates, without tissue importation demand) and is the third leading country in absolute CT numbers, only after the United States and India. 50 There are 356 services throughout the country that are authorized by the Brazilian National Transplant System to perform CTs.…”

Avaliação Da Qualidade Bacteriológica De Sucos Detox/Verdes

“…It is important that ophthalmologists provide patients with evidence-based advice during medical appointments to prevent eye problems such as AK, which could lead to vision loss and corneal transplant. Since the Brazilian medical system's capacity for corneal transplantation cannot keep up with the growing demand, it is necessary to implement more effective public policies to adequately meet this demand and reduce time on corneal transplant waiting lists (ALMEIDA et al, 2018).…”

Keratoplasty Registries: Lessons Learned

“…Donor data including demographic characteristics are included in most registries, whereas some databases also record donor cause of death, laboratory reports, and previous medical conditions. Donor data facilitate analysis of the dynamic growth of corneal donation, 24,25 the equity of corneal transplant resources in different regions, 13 and the contribution of donor factors in surgical outcomes. 9,20,[25][26][27][28] Tissue data provide a foundation for studying graft-related outcomes and complications and serve as a quality-control indicator of eye banking practices.…”