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Alachraf K, Tumin D, Hayes D, Benden C. xTrends in racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric lung transplantation in the United States. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024. [PMID: 38990104 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.27175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric lung transplantation (LTx) related to the shifting cystic fibrosis (CF) population receiving highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) has not been well investigated. METHODS The UNOS Registry was queried for patients age 1-25 years undergoing bilateral LTx between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021. Race and ethnicity were classified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or none of the above. The primary outcome was posttransplant mortality. Trends in the association between race/ethnicity and mortality were examined using transplant year as a continuous variable and stratifying year based on introduction of HEMT (triple combination therapy) in November 2019. RESULTS In the study sample (N = 941), 7% of patients were non-Hispanic Black, 15% were Hispanic, and 2% were some other racial or ethnic group. One hundred (11%) received LTx after approval of triple combination therapy, and 407 (43%) died during follow-up. We identified a statistically significant disparity in mortality hazard (hazard ratio: 1.91; 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.80) in non-Hispanic Black compared to non-Hispanic White patients in the pre-triple combination therapy era. CONCLUSIONS We found higher mortality hazard among non-Hispanic Black compared to non-Hispanic White children undergoing LTx in the United States. Further monitoring of LTx outcomes to identify and address disparities is needed in the current era of triple combination therapy for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Alachraf
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dmitry Tumin
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Academic Affairs, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Don Hayes
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Arnett A, Siegel DA, Dai S, Thompson TD, Foster J, di Pierro EJ, Momin B, Lupo PJ, Heczey A. Incidence and survival of pediatric and adult hepatocellular carcinoma, United States, 2001-2020. Cancer Epidemiol 2024; 92:102610. [PMID: 38986355 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2024.102610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for approximately 80 % of liver neoplasms. Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma ranks as the third most lethal cancer, with the number of deaths expected to further increase by 2040. In adults, disparities in incidence and survival are well described while pediatric epidemiology is not well characterized. We describe incidence and survival for pediatric (ages 0-19 years) hepatocellular carcinoma cases and compare these measures to adults (ages ≥ 20 years) diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS We assessed incidence data from the US Cancer Statistics database during 2003-2020 and 5-year survival from the National Program of Cancer Registries during 2001-2019. Incidence trends were determined by annual percent change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) using joinpoint regression. Five-year survival was evaluated by relative survival, and all-cause survival was estimated using multivariate Cox modeling. Corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for all analyses. RESULTS Incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 0.056 (95 %CI:0.052-0.060) for pediatric cases and 7.793 (7.767-7.819) for adults. Incidence was stable in the pediatric population (0.3 AAPC, - 1.1 to 1.7). In contrast, after periods of increase, incidence declined in adults after 2015 (-1.5 APC). Relative survival increased over time for both pediatric and adult ages and was higher for children and adolescents (46.4 %, 95 %CI:42.4-50.3) than adults (20.7 %, 95 %CI:20.5-20.9). Regression modeling showed that non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity was associated with higher risk of death in children and adolescents (1.48, 95 %CI:1.07-2.05) and adults (1.11, 95 %CI:1.09-1.12) compared to non-Hispanic white race and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Between 2003 and 2020 in the United States, pediatric incidence was stable while incidence in adults began to decline after 2015. Survival was higher across all stages for children and adolescents compared to adults. Non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity showed a higher risk of death for both age groups. Further studies could explore the factors that influence these outcome disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azlann Arnett
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David A Siegel
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shifan Dai
- Cyberdata Technologies, Inc., Herndon, VA, United States
| | - Trevor D Thompson
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer Foster
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Erika J di Pierro
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Behnoosh Momin
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andras Heczey
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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Gutierrez SA, Chiou SH, Rhee S, Lai JC, Wadhwani SI. The influence of neighborhood income on healthcare utilization in pediatric liver transplant. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024; 79:100-109. [PMID: 38693791 PMCID: PMC11216888 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neighborhood contextual factors are associated with liver transplant outcomes. We analyzed associations between neighborhood-level socioeconomic status and healthcare utilization for pediatric liver transplant recipients. METHODS We merged the Pediatric Health Information System and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases and included liver transplant recipients ≤21 years hospitalized between January 2004 and May 2022. Outcomes were annual inpatient bed-days, risk of hospitalizations, and risk of liver biopsies. The primary exposure was zip code-based neighborhood income at transplant. We applied causal inference for variable selection in multivariable analysis. We modeled annual inpatient bed-days with mixed-effect zero-inflated Poisson regression, and rates of hospitalization and liver biopsy with a Cox-type proportional rate model. RESULTS We included 1006 participants from 29 institutions. Children from low-income neighborhoods were more likely to be publicly insured (67% vs. 46%), Black (20% vs. 12%), Hispanic (30% vs. 17%), and have higher model for end-stage liver disease/pediatric end-stage liver disease model scores at transplant (17 vs. 13) than the remaining cohort. We found no differences in inpatient bed-days or rates of hospitalization across neighborhood groups. In univariable analysis, low-income neighborhoods were associated with increased rates of liver biopsy (rate ratio [RR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.34, p = 0.03). These findings persisted after adjusting for insurance, race, and ethnicity (RR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.23-2.83, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Children from low-income neighborhoods undergo more liver biopsies than other children. These procedures are invasive and potentially preventable. In addition to improving outcomes, interventions to mitigate health inequities among liver transplant recipients may reduce resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Gutierrez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sy Han Chiou
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Sue Rhee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sharad I Wadhwani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Zhou K, Lit A, Kuo LS, Thompson LK, Dodge JL, Mehta N, Terrault NA, Ha NB, Cockburn MG. Neighborhood-level Social Determinants of Health and Waitlist Mortality for Liver Transplantation: The Liver Outcomes and Equity Index. Transplantation 2024; 108:1558-1569. [PMID: 38049937 PMCID: PMC11150328 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS To examine neighborhood-level disparities in waitlist mortality for adult liver transplantation (LT), we developed novel area-based social determinants of health (SDOH) index using a national transplant database. METHODS ZIP Codes of individuals listed for or received LT in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database between June 18, 2013, and May 18, 2019, were linked to 36 American Community Survey (ACS) variables across 5 SDOH domains for index development. A step-wise principal component analysis was used to construct the Liver Outcomes and Equity (LOEq) index. We then examined the association between LOEq quintiles (Q1 = worst and Q5 = best neighborhood SDOH) and waitlist mortality with competing risk regression among listed adults in the study period and acuity circle (AC) era. RESULTS The final LOEq index consisted of 13 ACS variables. Of 59 298 adults waitlisted for LT, 30% resided in LOEq Q5 compared with only 14% in Q1. Q1 neighborhoods with worse SDOH were disproportionately concentrated in transplant regions with low median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease at transplant (MMAT) and shorter wait times. Five years cumulative incidence of waitlist mortality was 33% in Q1 in high MMAT regions versus 16% in Q5 in low MMAT regions. Despite this allocation advantage, LOEq Q1-Q4 were independently associated with elevated risk of waitlist mortality compared with Q5, with highest increased hazard of waitlist deaths of 19% (95% CI, 11%-26%) in Q1. This disparity persisted in the AC era, with 24% (95% CI, 10%-40%) increased hazard of waitlist deaths for Q1 versus Q5. CONCLUSIONS Neighborhood SDOH independently predicts waitlist mortality in adult LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Aaron Lit
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Leane S. Kuo
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Laura K. Thompson
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jennifer L. Dodge
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Norah A. Terrault
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Nghiem B. Ha
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Myles G. Cockburn
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Bonn J, Gamm K, Ambrosino T, Orkin SH, Taylor A, Peters AL. Distinct effects of racial and socioeconomic disparities on biliary atresia diagnosis and outcome. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024; 78:1038-1046. [PMID: 38567627 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify and distinguish between racial and socioeconomic disparities in age at hepatology care, diagnosis, access to surgical therapy, and liver transplant-free survival in patients with biliary atresia (BA). METHODS Single-center retrospective cohort study of 69 BA patients from 2010 to 2021. Patients were grouped into White and non-White cohorts. The socioeconomic milieu was analyzed utilizing neighborhood deprivation index, a census tract-based calculation of six socioeconomic variables. The primary outcomes of this study were timing of the first hepatology encounter, surgical treatment with hepatic portoenterostomy (HPE), and survival with native liver (SNL) at 2 years. RESULTS Patients were 55% male and 72% White. White patients were referred at a median of 34 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 17-65) vs. 67 days (IQR: 42-133; p = 0.001) in non-White patients. White infants were more likely to undergo HPE (42/50 patients; 84%) compared to non-White (10/19; 53%), odds ratio (OR) 4.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.46-15.31; p = 0.01). Independent of race, patients exposed to increased neighborhood-level deprivation were less likely to receive HPE (OR: 0.49, p = 0.04) and achieve SNL (OR: 0.54, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Racial and socioeconomic disparities are independently associated with timely BA diagnosis, access to surgical treatment, and transplant-free survival. Public health approaches to improve screening for pathologic jaundice in infants of diverse racial backgrounds and to test and implement interventions for socioeconomically at-risk families are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Bonn
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristen Gamm
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Teresa Ambrosino
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarah H Orkin
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Amy Taylor
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anna L Peters
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Arnett A, Siegel DA, Dai S, Thompson TD, Foster J, di Pierro EJ, Momin B, Lupo PJ, Heczey A. Incidence and survival of pediatric and adult hepatocellular carcinoma, United States, 2001-2020. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.03.25.24304564. [PMID: 38633779 PMCID: PMC11023662 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.24304564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Importance Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for approximately 80% of liver neoplasms. Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma ranks as the third most lethal cancer, with the number of deaths expected to further increase by 2040. In adults, disparities in incidence and survival are well described while pediatric epidemiology is not well characterized. Objective To describe incidence and survival for pediatric (ages 0-19 years) hepatocellular carcinoma cases and compare these measures to adults (ages ≥20 years) diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. We evaluated demographic factors and clinical characteristics that influence incidence and outcomes. Design Population-based cohort study. Setting Incidence data from the US Cancer Statistics database from 2003 to 2020 and 5-year relative survival from the National Program of Cancer Registries from 2001 to 2019, covering 97% and 83% of the US population, respectively. Participants 355,349 US Cancer Statistics and 257,406 the National Program of Cancer Registries patients were identified using ICD-O-3 C22.0 and 8170-5 codes. Main Outcomes and Measures Incidence annual percent change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) using joinpoint regression. Five-year relative survival. All-cause survival estimated using multivariate Cox modeling. Corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results Incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 0.056 (95%CI:0.052-0.060) for pediatric cases and 7.793 (7.767-7.819) for adults. Incidence was stable in the pediatric population (0.3 AAPC, -1.1-1.7). In contrast, after periods of increase, incidence declined in adults after 2015 (-1.5 APC). Relative survival increased over time for both pediatric and adult ages and was higher for children and adolescents (46.4%, 95%CI:42.4-50.3) than adults (20.7%, 95%CI:20.5-20.9) overall and when stratified by stage. Regression modeling showed that non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity was associated with higher risk of death in children and adolescents (1.48, 95%CI:1.07-2.05) and adults (1.11, 95%CI:1.09-1.12) compared to non-Hispanic white race and ethnicity. Conclusions and Relevance Between 2003 and 2020 in the United States, pediatric incidence was stable while incidence in adults began to decline after 2015. Survival was higher across all stages for children and adolescents compared to adults. Non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity showed a higher risk of death for both age groups. Further studies could explore the factors that influence these outcome disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azlann Arnett
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - David A. Siegel
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shifan Dai
- Cyberdata Technologies, Inc., Herndon, Virginia
| | - Trevor D. Thompson
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer Foster
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Erika J. di Pierro
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Behnoosh Momin
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Philip J. Lupo
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Cnter for Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Andras Heczey
- Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Wadhwani SI, Kruse G, Squires J, Ebel N, Gupta N, Campbell K, Hsu E, Zielsdorf S, Vittorio J, Desai DM, Bucuvalas JC, Gottlieb LM, Lai JC. Caregiver Perceptions of Social Risk Screening in Pediatric Liver Transplantation: From the Multicenter SOCIAL-Tx Study. Transplantation 2024; 108:940-946. [PMID: 37831642 PMCID: PMC10963151 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social determinants of health contribute to adverse post-liver transplant outcomes. Identifying unmet social risks may enable transplant teams to improve long-term outcomes for at-risk children. However, providers may feel uncomfortable asking about household-level social risks in the posttransplant period because they might make their patients/families uncomfortable. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods analysis of caregiver participants (ie, parents/guardians of pediatric liver transplant recipients) in the Social and Contextual Impact on Children Undergoing Liver Transplantation study to assess their perceptions of provider-based social risk screening. Participants (N = 109) completed a 20-min social determinants of health questionnaire that included questions on the acceptability of being asked intimate social risk questions. A subset of participants (N = 37) engaged in an in-depth qualitative interview to share their perceptions of social risk screening. RESULTS Of 109 participants across 9 US transplant centers, 60% reported financial strain and 30% reported at least 1 material economic hardship (eg, food insecurity, housing instability). Overall, 65% of respondents reported it very or somewhat appropriate and 25% reported being neutral to being screened for social risks in a liver transplant setting. In qualitative analyses, participants reported trust in the providers and a clear understanding of the intention of the screening as prerequisites for liver transplant teams to perform social risk screening. CONCLUSIONS Only a small minority of caregivers found social risk screening unacceptable. Pediatric liver transplant programs should implement routine social risk screening and prioritize the patient and family voices when establishing a screening program to ensure successful implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gina Kruse
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - James Squires
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | | | - Evelyn Hsu
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
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Yalung JE, Shifman HP, Manning ER, Beck A, Bucuvalas J, Lai JC, Wadhwani SI. Ambient air pollution is associated with graft failure/death in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:448-457. [PMID: 37898318 PMCID: PMC10922359 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Children exposed to disproportionately higher levels of air pollution experience worse health outcomes. In this population-based, observational registry study, we examine the association between air pollution and graft failure/death in children following liver transplantation (LT) in the US. We modeled the associations between air pollution (PM2.5) levels localized to the patient's ZIP code at the time of transplant and graft failure or death using Cox proportional-hazards models in pediatric LT recipients aged <19 years in the US from 2005-2015. In univariable analysis, high neighborhood PM2.5 was associated with a 56% increased hazard of graft failure/death (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.83; P < .001). In multivariable analysis, high neighborhood PM2.5 was associated with a 54% increased risk of graft failure/death (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.83; P < .001) after adjusting for race as a proxy for racism, insurance status, rurality, and neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation. Children living in high air pollution neighborhoods have an increased risk of graft failure and death posttransplant, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Our findings add further evidence that air pollution contributes to adverse health outcomes for children posttransplant and lay the groundwork for future studies to evaluate underlying mechanisms linking PM2.5 to adverse LT outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared E Yalung
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Holly P Shifman
- School of Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont, Rochester, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Andrew Beck
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - John Bucuvalas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hepatology, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sharad I Wadhwani
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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De Simone P, Germani G, Lai Q, Ducci J, Russo FP, Gitto S, Burra P. The impact of socioeconomic deprivation on liver transplantation. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2024; 3:1352220. [PMID: 38993752 PMCID: PMC11235234 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2024.1352220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite global expansion, social disparities impact all phases of liver transplantation, from patient referral to post-transplant care. In pediatric populations, socioeconomic deprivation is associated with delayed referral, higher waitlist mortality, and reduced access to living donor transplantation. Children from socially deprived communities are twice as much less adherent to immunosuppression and have up to a 32% increased incidence of graft failure. Similarly, adult patients from deprived areas and racial minorities have a higher risk of not initiating the transplant evaluation, lower rates of waitlisting, and a 6% higher risk of not being transplanted. Social deprivation is racially segregated, and Black recipients have an increased risk of post-transplant mortality by up to 21%. The mechanisms linking social deprivation to inferior outcomes are not entirely elucidated, and powered studies are still lacking. We offer a review of the most recent evidence linking social deprivation and post-liver transplant outcomes in pediatric and adult populations, as well as a literature-derived theoretical background model for future research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo De Simone
- Liver Transplant Program, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Intensive Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giacomo Germani
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Quirino Lai
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Juri Ducci
- Liver Transplant Program, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterology, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Hospital Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterology, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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Ziogas IA, Roach JP, Acker SN, Corkum KS, Diaz-Miron JL, Kulungowski AM, Gosain A, Hills-Dunlap JL. Association of Sociodemographic Factors with Surgical Management of Hepatoblastoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children. J Pediatr 2024; 269:113963. [PMID: 38369237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.113963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate for disparities in surgical care among US children with hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). STUDY DESIGN In this retrospective National Cancer Database study (2004-2015), children aged <18 years with HB or HCC were included. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors (age, sex, race and ethnicity, insurance status, income, proximity to treating hospital) with the odds of undergoing surgical treatment after adjusting for disease-related factors (tumor size, metastasis, comorbidities) and hospital-level effects. Subgroup analyses by tumor histology were performed. RESULTS A total of 811 children were included (HB: 80.9%; HCC: 19.1%), of which 610 (75.2%) underwent surgical treatment. Following adjustment, decreased odds of undergoing surgical treatment were associated with Black race (OR: 0.46 vs White, 95% CI [95% CI]: 0.26-0.80, P = .01), and having Medicaid (OR: 0.58 vs private, 95% CI: 0.38-0.88, P = .01) or no insurance (OR: 0.33 vs private, 95% CI: 0.13-0.80, P = .02). In children with HB, Black race was associated with decreased odds of undergoing surgical treatment (OR: 0.47 vs White, 95% CI: 0.25-0.89, P = .02). In children with HCC, Medicaid (OR: 0.10 vs private, 95% CI: 0.03-0.35, P < .001), or no insurance status (OR: 0.10 vs private, 95% CI: 0.01-0.83, P = .03) were associated with decreased odds of undergoing surgical treatment. Other than metastatic disease, no additional factors were associated with likelihood of surgical treatment in any group. CONCLUSIONS Black race and having Medicaid or no insurance are independently associated with decreased odds of surgical treatment in children with HB and HCC, respectively. These children may be less likely to undergo curative surgery for their liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Ziogas
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Jonathan P Roach
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Shannon N Acker
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Kristine S Corkum
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Jose L Diaz-Miron
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Ann M Kulungowski
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Ankush Gosain
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Jonathan L Hills-Dunlap
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.
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11
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Shifman HP, Huang CY, Beck AF, Bucuvalas J, Perito ER, Hsu EK, Ebel NH, Lai JC, Wadhwani SI. Association of state Medicaid expansion policies with pediatric liver transplant outcomes. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:239-249. [PMID: 37776976 PMCID: PMC10843745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Children from minoritized/socioeconomically deprived backgrounds suffer disproportionately high rates of uninsurance and graft failure/death after liver transplant. Medicaid expansion was developed to expand access to public insurance. Our objective was to characterize the impact of Medicaid expansion policies on long-term graft/patient survival after pediatric liver transplantation. All pediatric patients (<19 years) who received a liver transplant between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2020 in the US were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (N = 8489). Medicaid expansion was modeled as a time-varying exposure based on transplant and expansion dates. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the impact of Medicaid expansion on a composite outcome of graft failure/death over 10 years. As a sensitivity analysis, we conducted an intention-to-treat analysis from time of waitlisting to death (N = 1 1901). In multivariable analysis, Medicaid expansion was associated with a 30% decreased hazard of graft failure/death (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.62, 0.79; P < .001) after adjusting for Black race, public insurance, neighborhood deprivation, and living in a primary care shortage area. In intention-to-treat analyses, Medicaid expansion was associated with a 72% decreased hazard of patient death (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.35; P < .001). Policies that enable broader health insurance access may help improve outcomes and reduce disparities for children undergoing liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Payton Shifman
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, USA
| | - Chiung-Yu Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - John Bucuvalas
- Division of Pediatric Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Division of Pediatric Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily R Perito
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Evelyn K Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Noelle H Ebel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sharad I Wadhwani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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12
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Sauer CG, Barnard JA, Vinci RJ, Strople JA. Child Health Needs and the Pediatric Gastroenterology Workforce: 2020-2040. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023063678K. [PMID: 38300013 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063678k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This article is part of an American Board of Pediatrics Foundation-sponsored effort to analyze and forecast the pediatric subspecialty workforce between 2020 and 2040. Herein, an overview of the current pediatric gastroenterology workforce is provided, including demographics, work characteristics, and geographic distribution of practitioners. Brief context is provided on the changing nature of current practice models and the increasing prevalence of some commonly seen disorders. On the basis of a rigorous microsimulation workforce projection model, projected changes from 2020 to 2040 in the number of pediatric gastroenterologists and clinical workforce equivalents in the United States are presented. The article closes with a brief discussion of training, clinical practice, policy, and future workforce research implications of the data presented. This data-driven analysis suggests that the field of pediatric gastroenterology will continue to grow in scope and complexity, propelled by scientific advances and the increasing prevalence of many disorders relevant to the discipline. The workforce is projected to double by 2040, a growth rate faster than most other pediatric subspecialties. Disparities in care related to geography, race, and ethnicity are among the most significant challenges for the years ahead. Changes to training and education, incentives to meet the needs of underserved populations, and new multidisciplinary models for health care delivery will be necessary to optimally meet the volume, diversity, and complexity of children with gastroenterological diseases in the years ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary G Sauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John A Barnard
- Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Robert J Vinci
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer A Strople
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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13
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Ross-Driscoll K, McElroy LM, Adler JT. Geography, inequities, and the social determinants of health in transplantation. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1286810. [PMID: 38146478 PMCID: PMC10749310 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1286810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the causes of inequity in organ transplantation, geography is oft-cited but rarely defined with precision. Traditionally, geographic inequity has been characterized by variation in distance to transplant centers, availability of deceased organ donors, or the consequences of allocation systems that are inherently geographically based. Recent research has begun to explore the use of measures at various geographic levels to better understand how characteristics of a patient's geographic surroundings contribute to a broad range of transplant inequities. Within, we first explore the relationship between geography, inequities, and the social determinants of health. Next, we review methodologic considerations essential to geographic health research, and critically appraise how these techniques have been applied. Finally, we propose how to use geography to improve access to and outcomes of transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Lisa M. McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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14
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Forbes RC, Johnson WR, D'Souza N, Dreher A, Rega SA, Feurer ID, Concepcion BP. Disparities in telemedicine utilization among kidney transplant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Barriers and opportunities. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e15136. [PMID: 37715601 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic allowed for the rapid implementation of telemedicine for kidney transplant patients; however, widespread adoption may worsen existing health care inequities among vulnerable populations. This study aimed to characterize telemedicine utilization by kidney transplant patients during the early pandemic with particular attention to healthcare equity. METHODS A retrospective analysis of kidney transplant patients interacting with telemedicine was performed. Patient demographic data and distance to the transplant center were obtained. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties and Brokamp Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI) score were used to characterize patients' counties of residence. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between patient and community characteristics and the likelihood of an encounter being telemedicine. RESULTS This study included 1033 patients who participated in 3727 encounters from March 11 through October 2020. Characteristics associated with decreased likelihood of telemedicine use were increased age (OR = .993; 95% CI = .986-.999, P = .022), non-White vs. White race (OR = .826, 95% CI = .697-.979; P = .028), male vs. female sex (OR = .746, 95% CI = .632-.880; P < .001), and a higher Brokamp Neighborhood Deprivation Index score (OR = .159; 95% CI = .029-.873; P = .034). The effect of distance to the transplant center on the likelihood of a telemedicine encounter differed by NCHS Urban-Rural designation (interaction P = .018), with its likelihood increasing by 2%-3% with each 10-mile increment among persons residing in medium-, small-, and non-metropolitan counties compared to those residing in the most rural counties. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine visits were less often completed by patients of older age, non-white race, male sex, and those residing in counties having higher NDI scores. While telemedicine has the potential to improve healthcare access and decrease costs, proactive efforts need to be taken to mitigate disparities in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Forbes
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wali R Johnson
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nigel D'Souza
- Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Scott A Rega
- Vanderbilt Transplant Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Irene D Feurer
- Department of Surgery, Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt Transplant Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Beatrice P Concepcion
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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15
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McElroy LM, Schappe T, Mohottige D, Davis L, Peskoe SB, Wang V, Pendergast J, Boulware LE. Racial Equity in Living Donor Kidney Transplant Centers, 2008-2018. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2347826. [PMID: 38100105 PMCID: PMC10724764 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.47826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance It is unclear whether center-level factors are associated with racial equity in living donor kidney transplant (LDKT). Objective To evaluate center-level factors and racial equity in LDKT during an 11-year time period. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort longitudinal study was completed in February 2023, of US transplant centers with at least 12 annual LDKTs from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018, identified in the Health Resources Services Administration database and linked to the US Renal Data System and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Main Outcomes and Measures Observed and model-based estimated Black-White mean LDKT rate ratios (RRs), where an RR of 1 indicates racial equity and values less than 1 indicate a lower rate of LDKT of Black patients compared with White patients. Estimated yearly best-case center-specific LDKT RRs between Black and White individuals, where modifiable center characteristics were set to values that would facilitate access to LDKT. Results The final cohorts of patients included 394 625 waitlisted adults, of whom 33.1% were Black and 66.9% were White, and 57 222 adult LDKT recipients, of whom 14.1% were Black and 85.9% were White. Among 89 transplant centers, estimated yearly center-level RRs between Black and White individuals accounting for center and population characteristics ranged from 0.0557 in 2008 to 0.771 in 2018. The yearly median RRs ranged from 0.216 in 2016 to 0.285 in 2010. Model-based estimations for the hypothetical best-case scenario resulted in little change in the minimum RR (from 0.0557 to 0.0549), but a greater positive shift in the maximum RR from 0.771 to 0.895. Relative to the observed 582 LDKT in Black patients and 3837 in White patients, the 2018 hypothetical model estimated an increase of 423 (a 72.7% increase) LDKTs for Black patients and of 1838 (a 47.9% increase) LDKTs for White patients. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of patients with kidney failure, no substantial improvement occurred over time either in the observed or the covariate-adjusted estimated RRs. Under the best-case hypothetical estimations, modifying centers' participation in the paired exchange and voucher programs and increased access to public insurance may contribute to improved racial equity in LDKT. Additional work is needed to identify center-level and program-specific strategies to improve racial equity in access to LDKT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tyler Schappe
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Dinushika Mohottige
- Institute of Health Equity Research and Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - LaShara Davis
- Department of Surgery and J. C. Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah B. Peskoe
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Virginia Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jane Pendergast
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - L. Ebony Boulware
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
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16
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Yilma M, Dalal N, Wadhwani SI, Hirose R, Mehta N. Geographic disparities in access to liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:987-997. [PMID: 37232214 PMCID: PMC10914246 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the Final Rule regarding transplantation was published in 1999, organ distribution policies have been implemented to reduce geographic disparity. While a recent change in liver allocation, termed acuity circles, eliminated the donor service area as a unit of distribution to decrease the geographic disparity of waitlisted patients to liver transplantation, recently published results highlight the complexity of addressing geographic disparity. From geographic variation in donor supply, as well as liver disease burden and differing model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores of candidates and MELD scores necessary to receive liver transplantation, to the urban-rural disparity in specialty care access, and to neighborhood deprivation (community measure of socioeconomic status) in liver transplant access, addressing disparities of access will require a multipronged approach at the patient, transplant center, and national level. Herein, we review the current knowledge of these disparities-from variation in larger (regional) to smaller (census tract or zip code) levels to the common etiologies of liver disease, which are particularly affected by these geographic boundaries. The geographic disparity in liver transplant access must balance the limited organ supply with the growing demand. We must identify patient-level factors that contribute to their geographic disparity and incorporate these findings at the transplant center level to develop targeted interventions. We must simultaneously work at the national level to standardize and share patient data (including socioeconomic status and geographic social deprivation indices) to better understand the factors that contribute to the geographic disparity. The complex interplay between organ distribution policy, referral patterns, and variable waitlisting practices with the proportion of high MELD patients and differences in potential donor supply must all be considered to create a national policy strategy to address the inequities in the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mignote Yilma
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco
- National Clinician Scholars Program, University of California San Francisco
| | - Nicole Dalal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco
| | | | - Ryutaro Hirose
- Department of Transplant, University of California San Francisco
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco
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17
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Ogundolie M, Chan N, McElroy LM. Equity in liver transplantation: are we any closer? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2023; 28:259-264. [PMID: 37339515 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As policies governing liver transplantation (LT) continue to change and influence clinical practice, it is important to monitor trends in equitable access and outcomes amongst patients. The purpose of this review is to closely examine recent advances and findings in health equity research in LT over the last 2 years; specifically evaluating inequities at the different stages of LT (referral, evaluation, listing, waitlist outcomes and post-LT outcomes). RECENT FINDINGS Advancements in geospatial analysis have enabled investigators to identify and begin to study the role of community level factors (such as neighborhood poverty, increased community capital/urbanicity score) in driving LT disparities. There has also been a shift in investigating center specific characteristics that contributes to disparities in waitlist access. Modification to the current model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score policy accounting for height differences is also crucial to eradicating the disparity in LT amongst sexes. Lastly, Black pediatric patients have been shown to have higher rates of death and worse posttransplant outcome after transitioning to adult healthcare. SUMMARY Although, there have been some advances in methodology and policies, inequities in waitlist access, waitlist outcomes and posttransplant outcomes continue to be pervasive in the field of LT. Future directions include expansion of social determinants of health measures, inclusion of multicenter designs, MELD score modification and investigation into drivers of worse posttransplant outcomes in Black patients.
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18
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Berkman ER, Hsu EK, Clark JD, Lewis-Newby M, Dick AAS, Diekema DS, Wightman AG. An Ethical Analysis of Obesity as a Contraindication to Pediatric Liver Transplant Candidacy. Am J Transplant 2023:S1600-6135(23)00360-X. [PMID: 36997027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Childhood obesity is becoming more prevalent in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide, including among children in need of liver transplant. Unlike with heart and kidney failure, end stage liver disease (ESLD) is unique in that no widely available medical technology can re-create the life-sustaining function a failing liver. Therefore, delaying life-saving liver transplant for weight loss, for example, is much harder, if not impossible for many pediatric patients, especially those with acute liver failure. For adults in the U.S., guidelines consider obesity a contraindication to liver transplant. While formal guidelines are lacking in children, many pediatric transplant centers also consider obesity a contraindication to pediatric liver transplant. Variations in practice among pediatric institutions may result in biased and ad hoc decisions that worsen health care inequities. In this paper we define and report the prevalence of childhood obesity among children with ESLD, 2) review existing guidelines for liver transplant in adults with obesity, 3) examine pediatric liver transplant outcomes and 4) discuss the ethical considerations of utilizing obesity as a contraindication to pediatric liver transplant informed by the principles of utility, justice and respect for persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Berkman
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - Evelyn K Hsu
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jonna D Clark
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mithya Lewis-Newby
- Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Cardiac Critical Care, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - André A S Dick
- Division of Transplantation, Section of Pediatric Transplantation, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Douglas S Diekema
- Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aaron G Wightman
- Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital Seattle, Washington, USA
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19
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Yoeli D, Feldman AG, Choudhury RA, Moore HB, Sundaram SS, Nydam TL, Wachs ME, Pomfret EA, Adams MA, Jackson WE. Can non-directed living liver donation help improve access to grafts and correct socioeconomic disparities in pediatric liver transplantation? Pediatr Transplant 2023; 27:e14428. [PMID: 36329627 PMCID: PMC10132215 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Each year, children die awaiting LT as the demand for grafts exceeds the available supply. Candidates with public health insurance are significantly less likely to undergo both deceased donor LT and D-LLD LT. ND-LLD is another option to gain access to a graft. The aim of this study was to evaluate if recipient insurance type is associated with likelihood of D-LLD versus ND-LLD LT. METHODS The SRTR/OPTN database was reviewed for pediatric LDLT performed between January 1, 2014 (Medicaid expansion era) and December 31, 2019 at centers that performed ≥1 ND-LLD LDLT during the study period. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess relationship between type of living donor (directed vs. non-directed) and recipient insurance. RESULTS Of 299 pediatric LDLT, 46 (15%) were from ND-LLD performed at 18 transplant centers. Fifty-nine percent of ND-LLD recipients had public insurance in comparison to 40% of D-LLD recipients (p = .02). Public insurance was associated with greater odds of ND-LLD in comparison to D-LLD upon multivariable logistic regression (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.23-4.58, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS ND-LLD allows additional children to receive LTs and may help address some of the socioeconomic disparity in pediatric LDLT, but currently account for only a minority of LDLT and are only performed at a few institutions. Initiatives to improve access to both D-LLD and ND-LLD transplants are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Yoeli
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amy G Feldman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatric Medicine, The Digestive Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rashikh A Choudhury
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Hunter B Moore
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Shikha S Sundaram
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatric Medicine, The Digestive Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Trevor L Nydam
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael E Wachs
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Pomfret
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Megan A Adams
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Whitney E Jackson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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20
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Ge J, Lai JC, Wadhwani SI. Novel approaches are needed to study social determinants of health in liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:241-243. [PMID: 35962612 PMCID: PMC10268038 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ge
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California,
USA
| | - Jennifer C. Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California,
USA
| | - Sharad I. Wadhwani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Pediatrics, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco,
California, USA
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21
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Park C, Schappe T, Peskoe S, Mohottige D, Chan NW, Bhavsar NA, Boulware LE, Pendergast J, Kirk AD, McElroy LM. A comparison of deprivation indices and application to transplant populations. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:377-386. [PMID: 36695687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The choice of deprivation index can influence conclusions drawn regarding the extent of deprivation within a community and the identification of the most deprived communities in the United States. This study aimed to determine the degree of correlation among deprivation indices commonly used to characterize transplant populations. We used a retrospective cohort consisting of adults listed for liver or kidney transplants between 2008 and 2018 to compare 4 deprivation indices: neighborhood deprivation index, social deprivation index (SDI), area deprivation index, and social vulnerability index. Pairwise correlation between deprivation indices by transplant referral regions was measured using Spearman correlations of population-weighted medians and upper quartiles. In total, 52 individual variables were used among the 4 deprivation indices with 25% overlap. For both organs, the correlation between the population-weighted 75th percentile of the deprivation indices by transplant referral region was highest between SDI and social vulnerability index (liver and kidney, 0.93) and lowest between area deprivation index and SDI (liver, 0.19 and kidney, 0.15). The choice of deprivation index affects the applicability of research findings across studies examining the relationship between social risk and clinical outcomes. Appropriate application of these measures to transplant populations requires careful index selection based on the intended use and included variable relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Park
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tyler Schappe
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah Peskoe
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dinushika Mohottige
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Norine W Chan
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nrupen A Bhavsar
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - L Ebony Boulware
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jane Pendergast
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Allan D Kirk
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lisa M McElroy
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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22
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Rasmussen SK, Lemoine CP, Superina R, Sayed B, Goldaracena N, Soltys KA, Griesemer A, Dick A, Angelis M, Chin LT, Florman S, Ganoza A, Lyer K, Kang SM, Magliocca J, Squires J, Eisenberg E, Bray D, Tunno J, Reyes JD, Mazariegos GV. State of pediatric liver transplantation in the United States and achieving zero wait list mortality with ideal outcomes: A statement from the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplant Surgeon's Working Group. Pediatr Transplant 2023; 27 Suppl 1:e14283. [PMID: 36468324 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplant is a life-saving therapy that can restore quality life for several pediatric liver diseases. However, it is not available to all children who need one. Expertise in medical and surgical management is heterogeneous, and allocation policies are not optimally serving children. Technical variant grafts from both living and deceased donors are underutilized. METHODS Several national efforts in pediatric liver transplant to improve access to and outcomes from liver transplant for children have been instituted and include adjustments to allocation policies, UNOS-sponsored collaborative improvement projects, and the emergence of national learning networks to study ongoing challenges in the field the Surgical Working group of the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation (SNEPT) discusses key issues and proposes potential solutions to eliminate the persistent wait list mortality that pediatric patients face. RESULTS A discussion of the factors impacting pediatric patients' access to liver transplant is undertaken, along with a proposal of several measures to ensure equitable access to life-saving liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric liver transplant wait list mortality can and should be eliminated. Several measures, including collaborative efforts among centers, could be leveraged to acheive this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara K Rasmussen
- Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Caroline P Lemoine
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Riccardo Superina
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Blayne Sayed
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Kyle A Soltys
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adam Griesemer
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andre Dick
- Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - L Thomas Chin
- Advent Health Transplant Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Sander Florman
- Mt Sinai Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Armando Ganoza
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kishore Lyer
- Mt Sinai Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sang-Mo Kang
- Mt Sinai Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph Magliocca
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James Squires
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Eisenberg
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Patient and Family Voice Committee, Starzl Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Bray
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Patient and Family Voice Committee, Starzl Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Tunno
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jorge D Reyes
- Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - George V Mazariegos
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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23
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Wadhwani SI, Lai JC. The digital determinants of liver disease. Hepatology 2023; 77:13-14. [PMID: 35753068 PMCID: PMC10268049 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharad I. Wadhwani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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24
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Wadhwani SI, Barrera AG, Shifman HP, Baker E, Bucuvalas J, Gottlieb LM, Kotagal U, Rhee SJ, Lai JC, Lyles CR. Caregiver perspectives on the everyday medical and social needs of long-term pediatric liver transplant patients. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:1735-1746. [PMID: 35524767 PMCID: PMC9949888 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Using in-depth interviews, we sought to characterize the everyday medical and social needs of pediatric liver transplant caregivers to inform the future design of solutions to improve care processes. Participants (parents/caregivers of pediatric liver transplant recipients) completed a survey (assessing socioeconomic status, economic hardship, health literacy, and social isolation). We then asked participants to undergo a 60-min virtual, semistructured qualitative interview to understand the everyday medical and social needs of the caregiver and their household. We intentionally oversampled caregivers who reported a social or economic hardship on the survey. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and organized around the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model. A total of 18 caregivers participated. Of the participants, 50% reported some form of financial strain, and about half had less than 4 years of college education. Caregivers had high motivation and capability in executing transplant-related tasks but identified several opportunities for improving care. Caregivers perceived the health system to lack capability in identifying and intervening on specific family social needs. Caregiver interviews revealed multiple areas in which family supports could be strengthened, including (1) managing indirect costs of prolonged hospitalizations (e.g., food, parking), (2) communicating with employers to support families' needs, (3) coordinating care across hospital departments, and (4) clarifying care team roles in helping families reduce both medical and social barriers. This study highlights the caregiver perspective on barriers and facilitators to posttransplant care. Future work should identify whether these themes are present across transplant centers. Caregiver perspectives should help inform future interventions aimed at improving long-term outcomes for children after liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Holly P. Shifman
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI
| | - Ethel Baker
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - John Bucuvalas
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, NY
| | | | - Uma Kotagal
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Sue J. Rhee
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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25
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Perez A, Ovchinsky N. Caring for a child after a liver transplant: Challenges beyond medical complexity. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:1707-1708. [PMID: 35779249 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Perez
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital at Montefiore-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Nadia Ovchinsky
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital at Montefiore-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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26
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Ebel NH, Lai JC, Bucuvalas JC, Wadhwani SI. A review of racial, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in pediatric liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:1520-1528. [PMID: 35188708 PMCID: PMC9949889 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Equity is a core principle in both pediatrics and solid organ transplantation. Health inequities, specifically across race, socioeconomic position, or geography, reflect a moral failure. Ethical principles of prudential life span, maximin principle, and fair innings argue for allocation priority to children related to the number of life years gained, equal access to transplant, and equal opportunity for ideal posttransplant outcomes. Iterative policy changes have aimed to narrow these disparities to achieve pediatric transplant equity. These policy changes have focused on modifying pediatric priority for organ allocation to eliminate mortality on the pediatric transplant waiting list. Yet disparities remain in pediatric liver transplantation at all time points: from access to referral for transplantation, likelihood of living donor transplantation, use of exception narratives, waitlist mortality, and inequitable posttransplant outcomes. Black children are less likely to be petitioned for exception scores, have higher waitlist mortality, are less likely to be the recipient of a living donor transplant, and have worse posttransplant outcomes compared with White children. Children living in the most socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods have worse posttransplant outcomes. Children living farther from a transplant center have higher waitlist mortality. Herein we review the current knowledge of these racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities for these children. To achieve equity, stakeholder engagement is required at all levels from providers and health delivery systems, learning networks, institutions, and society. Future initiatives must be swift, bold, and effective with the tripartite mission to inform policy changes, improve health care delivery, and optimize resource allocation to provide equitable transplant access, waitlist survival, and posttransplant outcomes for all children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle H Ebel
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics Stanford University Stanford California USA Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & NutritionDepartment of Medicine University of California San Francisco California USA Division of Pediatric HepatologyDepartment of Pediatrics Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of PediatricsUniversity of CaliforniaSan Francisco California USA
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27
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Bondoc A, Peters A, Taylor A, Tiao G. Underestimating and Underdiagnosing Biliary Atresia: We Can Do Better. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:756-757. [PMID: 35189027 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bondoc
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Anna Peters
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Amy Taylor
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Greg Tiao
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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