Joseph Ahn1, Benny Liu2, Taft Bhuket2, Robert J Wong3. 1. Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System - Highland Hospital, Highland Hospital - Highland Care Pavilion 5th Floor, Endoscopy Unit, 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA. 3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System - Highland Hospital, Highland Hospital - Highland Care Pavilion 5th Floor, Endoscopy Unit, 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA. rowong@alamedahealthsystem.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and need for liver transplantation (LT). It is unclear if HCV-related LT outcomes vary by race/ethnicity. AIMS: We aim to evaluate ethnic disparities specifically among patients with chronic HCV in the USA. METHODS: Using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing 2003-2013 LT registry, we evaluated race/ethnicity-specific disparities in LT waitlist survival and probability of receiving LT among chronic HCV patients listed for LT. RESULTS: Among 43,478 HCV patients listed for LT (70.0% non-Hispanic white, 10.8% black, 16.3% Hispanic, 2.9% Asian), HCV-related LT waitlist registrations increased by 21.5% from 2003 to 2013. During this period, the proportion of HCV patients with HCC increased by 237%, and in 2013, HCV patients with HCC accounted for 33.0% of HCV-related waitlist registrations. When stratified by race/ethnicity, Hispanics with HCV had significantly lower waitlist mortality (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.74-0.94; p < 0.01) compared to non-Hispanic whites, but no significant differences were seen among blacks and Asians. Furthermore, compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics were significantly less likely to receive LT (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.53-0.62; p < 0.001), but no differences were seen among blacks or Asians. CONCLUSION: Among patients with chronic HCV in the USA, the MELD score has reduced race/ethnicity-specific disparities in waitlist mortality. However, Hispanic HCV patients had significantly better waitlist survival and lower probability of receiving LT, possibly reflecting slower disease progression compared to non-Hispanic whites with chronic HCV.
BACKGROUND:Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and need for liver transplantation (LT). It is unclear if HCV-related LT outcomes vary by race/ethnicity. AIMS: We aim to evaluate ethnic disparities specifically among patients with chronic HCV in the USA. METHODS: Using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing 2003-2013 LT registry, we evaluated race/ethnicity-specific disparities in LT waitlist survival and probability of receiving LT among chronic HCVpatients listed for LT. RESULTS: Among 43,478 HCVpatients listed for LT (70.0% non-Hispanic white, 10.8% black, 16.3% Hispanic, 2.9% Asian), HCV-related LT waitlist registrations increased by 21.5% from 2003 to 2013. During this period, the proportion of HCVpatients with HCC increased by 237%, and in 2013, HCVpatients with HCC accounted for 33.0% of HCV-related waitlist registrations. When stratified by race/ethnicity, Hispanics with HCV had significantly lower waitlist mortality (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.74-0.94; p < 0.01) compared to non-Hispanic whites, but no significant differences were seen among blacks and Asians. Furthermore, compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics were significantly less likely to receive LT (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.53-0.62; p < 0.001), but no differences were seen among blacks or Asians. CONCLUSION: Among patients with chronic HCV in the USA, the MELD score has reduced race/ethnicity-specific disparities in waitlist mortality. However, Hispanic HCVpatients had significantly better waitlist survival and lower probability of receiving LT, possibly reflecting slower disease progression compared to non-Hispanic whites with chronic HCV.
Entities:
Keywords:
Hepatocellular carcinoma; Model for end-stage liver disease; Racial disparities; UNOS/OPTN; Waitlist survival
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