Impact of the MELD score on waiting time and disease severity in liver transplantation in United States veterans

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Original Articles

Impact of the MELD score on waiting time and disease severity in liver transplantation in United States veterans

Jawad Ahmad 1 2 *, Kathy K. Downey 1, Mohamed Akoad 1, V. Cacciarelli 1

1VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), Pittsburgh, PA2Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

email: Jawad Ahmad (ahmadj@...)

*Correspondence to Jawad Ahmad, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 916, Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213Telephone: 412-647 4932; FAX: 412-647 9268

Abstract

Organ allocation for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States is based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. The MELD score prioritizes organ distribution to sicker patients. There is limited data on the effect of this policy on transplantation in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the MELD score on U.S. veteran patients undergoing LT. Comparison of MELD scores and waiting time of LT recipients before and after the introduction of the MELD system was done. A total of 192 LT recipients were analyzed. Blood type, diagnosis, listing MELD score, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score at transplant did not differ although MELD era recipients were older (mean 54.3 vs. 51.3 yr, P = 0.009). Mean waiting time decreased from 461 days (pre-MELD) to 252 days (MELD era) (P = 0.004). Mean MELD score at LT increased from 23.4 (MELD era) compared to 20.3 (pre-MELD) (P = 0.01).

In conclusion, waiting time for LT in U.S. veterans has decreased significantly in the MELD era. The MELD score of patients transplanted in the MELD era is significantly higher and patients are still being listed at a high MELD score. The MELD system has lead to sicker veterans being transplanted with shorter waiting times. Liver Transpl 13:1564-1569, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.