Is Donating a Kidney Bad For Your Marriage?

BACKGROUND: Studies have generally shown that kidney donation to a spouse has a positive impact on marriage. But what happens when kidney donation occurs outside of the marriage? This is the first ever study to evaluate the impact on marriage when donation occurs to someone other than the spouse. METHODS: Two groups of donors were studied: those that donated to their spouse and those that donated to someone other than their spouse. An online survey was sent using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) to evaluate the effect of donation on the marriage. This tool consists of 14 questions which measure how satisfying and stable the relationship is. The response of the two groups of donors is the subject of this study. RESULTS: 31 donors who donated to someone outside the marriage and 11 that donated directly to their spouse completed the survey. 10 donor surveys were incorrectly completed and were therefore disregarded from analysis. The results showed equal or better scores when donation occurred to a non-spouse as compared to a spouse. The non-spouse donors actually scored higher on two questions, one regarding the agreement in the relationship when it comes to career choices (P=0.05) and the other regarding the frequency of having stimulating exchanges of ideas (P=0.02). With the highest possible total score of 69, those who donated to a spouse scored 47 and those donating to someone other than spouse scored 53 (P=0.16). The cut-off score for the RDAS is 48. Scores of 47 and below indicate marital distress. In one final additional question 91% of those that donated to a spouse reported “no change or good effect” on the marriage. 97 % of those who donated to someone other than their spouse reported similarly “no change or good effect” on the marriage (P=.46). CONCLUSION: This is the first ever study to evaluate the effect of kidney donation on marriage when the spouse is not the recipient. Marriage is not impacted negatively when kidney donation occurs to someone other than the spouse.