title: Debate: A bridge too far--liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis will overwhelm the organ supply.
abstract: The obesity epidemic is one of the greatest health challenges currently facing the general population, and it will have a major impact on LT because of the associated rise in the incidence of NASH and NASH-related HCC. There is already a severe shortage of available liver allografts, which will be exacerbated by an increased demand for LT with the rising incidence of obesity-related liver disease. Because the obesity crisis also impacts the availability of suitable living and deceased organ donors, the impact will be far more significant. Research and public health initiatives aimed at further elucidating and counteracting obesity in both adults and especially children is paramount.
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplant Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heimbach
mesh_terms: D006085:Graft Survival; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D016896:Treatment Outcome