title: Delayed hepatocellular carcinoma model for end-stage liver disease exception score improves disparity in access to liver transplant in the United States.
abstract: The current system granting liver transplant candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) additional Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) points is controversial due to geographic disparity and uncertainty regarding optimal prioritization of candidates. The current national policy assigns a MELD exception score of 22 immediately upon listing of eligible patients with HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of delays in granting these exception points on transplant rates for HCC and non-HCC patients. We used Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data and liver simulated allocation modeling software and modeled (1) a 3-month delay before granting a MELD exception score of 25, (2) a 6-month delay before granting a score of 28, and (3) a 9-month delay before granting a score of 29. Of all candidates waitlisted between January 1 and December 31, 2010 (n = 28,053), 2773 (9.9%) had an HCC MELD exception. For HCC candidates, transplant rates would be 108.7, 65.0, 44.2, and 33.6 per 100 person-years for the current policy and for 3-, 6-, and 9-month delays, respectively. Corresponding rates would be 30.1, 32.5, 33.9, and 34.8 for non-HCC candidates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A delay of 6-9 months would eliminate the geographic variability in the discrepancy between HCC and non-HCC transplant rates under current policy and may allow for more equal access to transplant for all candidates.
authors: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors: Julie K
authors: JK
authors: Heimbach
authors: Ryutaro
authors: R
authors: Hirose
authors: Peter G
authors: PG
authors: Stock
authors: David P
authors: DP
authors: Schladt
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Xiong
authors: Jiannong
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Kim M
authors: KM
authors: Olthoff
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Harper
authors: Jon J
authors: JJ
authors: Snyder
authors: Ajay K
authors: AK
authors: Israni
authors: Bertram L
authors: BL
authors: Kasiske
authors: W Ray
authors: WR
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018579:Patient Selection; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014850:Waiting Lists
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