Matchability in kidney transplantation.

The matchability of a patient awaiting kidney transplantation is his propensity for being 'well-matched'. We present two methods for estimating matchability. It is commonly supposed that phenotype frequency is a good predictor of matchability. We show a correlation of only 0.3 between matchability and phenotype frequency using the definition of 'well-matched' used by the UK Transplant Service. We also show that ABO type and HLA homozygocity can affect matchability.