Race and ethnicity in access to and outcomes of liver transplantation: A critical literature review

A. K. Mathur, C. J. Sonnenday, R. M. Merion

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Racial/ethnic disparities in access to and outcomes of liver transplantation are an important topic given the increasing diversity in the United States. Most reports on this topic predate the advent of allocation based on the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). For many patients with a variety of lethal conditions, liver transplantation is the only effective therapy, signifying the importance of equitable access to care. Racial/ethnic disparities have been described at various steps of the liver transplant process, including liver disease prevalence and treatment, access to a transplant center and its waitlist, receipt of a liver transplant and posttransplant outcomes. The purpose of this minireview is to critically evaluate the published literature on racial/ethnicity-based disparities in liver disease prevalence and treatment, transplant center referral, transplant rates and posttransplant outcomes. We identify the shortcomings of previous reports and detail the barriers to completing properly constructed analyses, particularly emphasizing deficits in requisite data and the need for improved study design. Understanding the nature of race/ethnicity-based disparities in liver transplantation is necessary to improve research initiatives, policy design and serves the broader responsibility of providing the highest quality care to all patients with liver disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2662-2668
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation
Volume9
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Keywords

  • Access
  • Ethnicity
  • Liver transplantation
  • Outcome
  • Race

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Transplantation
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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