Impact of dialysis and older age on survival after liver transplantation

Am J Transplant. 2006 Sep;6(9):2183-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2006.01454.x. Epub 2006 Jul 6.

Abstract

Because creatinine is heavily weighed in the MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score, we sought to determine the impact of MELD-based organ allocation on outcomes after transplantation in the pre- and post-MELD eras, focusing on recipients over age 65 on dialysis prior to transplant. A total of 20 196 patients from the UNOS database were analyzed. Comparing the pre-MELD to MELD era, there was a 41% increase in patients on dialysis (p<0.0001), and a 117% increase in combined liver/kidney transplants (p<0.0001). In the pre-MELD era, 1-year patient survival in recipients greater and less than age 65 on dialysis who received liver transplant alone was 56.8% and 76.4%, respectively (p=0.13). In the MELD era these rates were 50.7% and 77.8% (p=0.04). In the pre-MELD era, 1-year patient survival in recipients greater and less than age 65 on dialysis who underwent combined liver/kidney transplantation was 25.0% and 83.2%, respectively (p=0.0002). In the MELD era, these rates were 67.0% and 82.5% (p=0.18). In conclusion, a greater proportion of patients in the MELD era are on dialysis prior to transplant, and more receive combined liver/kidney transplants compared with the pre-MELD era. Candidates over age 65 who are on dialysis at the time of transplant have decreased survival after isolated liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Graft Survival / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / mortality*
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome