Profile of effective donors of organs and tissues in the Ceará State

Abstract

The donation of organs and tissues is an act of solidarity and love whereby a person expresses the desire to help others who are on a transplant waiting list. The study aimed to outline the epidemiological and clinical profile of actual organ and tissue donors in the state of Ceará. We performed a survey based on a descriptive quantitative epidemiology in the Center for the Transplantation of Organs and Tissues. 368 donor charts in the period from 2004 to 2008 were used. Data was collected between March and April 2009. The statistical analysis results showed that 244 (66,3%) donors were male; 186 (50,5%); had from 18 to 40 years of age; 171 (47%) were brown skinned; 178 (48%) had a blood type O; 130 (35,3%) were hospitalized in the ICU, 191 (52%) with a craniocerebral trauma diagnosis; 217 (59%) used dopamine and the most widely diagnostic test used was the electroencephalogram with 232 (63%). The most commonly donated organs were liver with 302 (82%) and cornea with 300 (81, 5%), kidneys 201 (54, 6%) and heart with 128 (34, 7%). In the year 2008 the rate of organ and tissue donation increased if compared with the four previous years. It is however necessary to study and implement awareness programs on the issue as well as training for health professionals involved in the process.