Women have always been known as the sacrificing one. Initially, they sacrifice quality education for their brothers, later they sacrifice their jobs for their husband and later for their sons. They deter their health, wealth and all that they have for their closed possessions.

In a recent study released, women are statistically far more likely to donate a kidney to their partner than receive one. On the basis of European data assessed, 36% of women donate a kidney to their husband in clinically suitable cases.

That measures up to just seven percent of clinically fit men contributing a kidney to their next of kin, says the study by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. It brings to light how women are also accountable to go through the most serious stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as they to be inclined to live longer than male sufferers and take longer to attain a stage that requires a transplant.

Adeera Levin, a Professor of Medicine at Canada’s University of British Colombia said, “Although it is hard to pinpoint a specific reason for higher numbers of wives being donors than husbands, the evidence suggests women are motivated by reasons such as altruism and the desire to help their family continue to survive”.

The study data reveals that some two-thirds of kidney transplant recipients are men even though the gender difference was less pronounced for donations by deceased men and women. Globally, the study also stated 14% of women go through CKD compared with 12% of men. Though the data showed higher proportions of women living with advanced CKD, “experts believe that systemic failures to detect or manage CKD in women leave women at a higher risk of progression and complications”.

This year’s World Kidney Day which falls with International women’s day is closely focusing on CKD victims who are either pregnant or want to conceive. “In women who have had a successful kidney transplant, fertility can be at least partly restored and chances of successful birth increase,” said Dr Giorgina Piccoli of Italy’s University of Torino and the Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, France.

“However, complications in these women remain more common than in the general population, and preconception medical counselling should always be sought,” added Piccoli. She focused the “clear need for higher awareness of CKD in pregnancy, to timely identify CKD in pregnancy, and to follow-up women with CKD during and after pregnancy.”

Dr Piccoli also points out pregnancy-related complications can amplify the risk of kidney disease. “Women face unique issues in relation to kidney disease and donation, and since this year’s World Kidney Day coincides with International Women’s Day, we decided now was the time to highlight these issues,” said Professor Levin.