Factors influencing access to liver transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease - 19/08/26

Highlights |
• | Statewide alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) inpatient and mortality data were analyzed to identify determinants of liver transplant access. |
• | Of 28,053 patients with ARLD in Maryland, 663 (2.4%) received a liver transplant. |
• | Black patients, Medicaid enrollees, and patients older than 65 years had significantly lower odds of liver transplantation. |
• | County-level social vulnerability indices and travel distance to transplant centers were not predictive of liver transplantation. |
Abstract |
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States, yet access remains shaped by demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. This study evaluates patient- and county-level factors associated with LT among patients with ARLD in Maryland. We conducted a retrospective analysis of statewide inpatient records from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (20132020) and mortality data from CDC WONDER. Patients with ARLD and LT recipients were identified using diagnosis and procedure codes. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for LT were estimated using hierarchical multivariable logistic regression incorporating patient demographics, county-level social vulnerability index (SVI) tertile, and travel distance to transplant centers. Among 28,053 patients with ARLD, 663 (2.4%) received LT. Black patients (aOR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.31–0.58) and Medicaid recipients (aOR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.35–0.56) had significantly lower odds of LT. Compared with patients aged 55–64 years, those aged 65–74 (aOR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.39–0.79) and 75 years or older (aOR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.015–0.25) were less likely to receive LT. County-level SVI tertile and travel distance were not independently associated with LT. Age, race, and insurance status were the characteristics most strongly associated with LT for ARLD in Maryland. Because transplantation was the only observable endpoint, and because clinical severity, transplant eligibility, and listing activity were not captured, these results cannot establish that non-clinical factors drive access, nor identify where along the transplant pipeline disparities arise. Future work should link administrative, registry, and referral data to determine where differences in transplant access emerge.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Alcohol-related liver disease, Liver transplantation, Social determinants of health
Plan
Vol 24
Article 100378- novembre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
