Social determinants of health data in solid organ transplantation: National data sources and future directions

Association of Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Graft Function

INTRODUCTION

The study of social determinants of health in kidney transplantation has historically focused on equitable access, with limited evidence on the short- and long-term outcomes beyond graft loss and mortality. Our purpose is to identify and assess factors to ensure equitable outcomes after kidney transplant by identifying targets for health-care interventions in the posttransplant phase of care.

METHODS

This is a single institution, cohort study of adults who received deceased donor kidney transplantation at a high-volume transplant center. Transplant recipients were stratified by social deprivation index (SDI) at the population mean of 60. The primary outcome is change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

RESULTS

A total of 236 recipients were included, 48% (n = 113) were from higher deprivation neighborhoods (SDI >60). These recipients were younger, more likely to be black, and had lower estimated posttransplant survival scores. Both groups received grafts with similar kidney donor profile index scores. Despite similar discharge eGFR, recipients from high SDI neighborhoods had significantly lower eGFRs at all follow-up points, confirmed with mixed-effect analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Recipients from neighborhoods with higher deprivation index have worse short- and long-term graft function, despite being younger, having lower estimated posttransplant survival scores, and similar graft kidney donor profile index at transplantation. This unexplained compromise in graft function is an opportunity for community-based interventions after recipients receive deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Influence of Individual- and Area-Level Social Determinants of Health on Likelihood of Living Versus Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Introduction

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with disparities in access to living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). However, the separate and joint impact of individual- and area-level SDOH on the likelihood of LDKT versus deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) is unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed adult, kidney-alone recipients transplanted in 2020 or 2022, using data from the organ procurement and transplantation network (OPTN). Individual-level SDOH and patient address were obtained from LexisNexis; area-level SDOH were obtained from the American Community Survey and County Health Rankings. We fit 3 logistic regression models to estimate the effects of the following: (i) individual-level SDOH, (ii) area-level SDOH, and (iii) both individual- and area-level SDOH on the likelihood of LDKT, adjusting for clinical and demographic factors.

Results

This study included 38,964 adult kidney recipients; n = 9664 (25%) received a LDKT. In multilevel, multivariable analysis, adjusting for both individual- and area-level SDOH, higher individual income quartiles were associated with higher odds of LDKT (odds ratio[OR] [95% confidence interval, CI]: 1.35[1.23-1.47]; 1.48[1.35-1.63]; 2.07 [1.87-2.30], for quartiles Q2-Q4, respectively, compared with the Q1 [lowest income]). Although attenuated, the association between neighborhood median household income and likelihood of LDKT persisted after adjusting for individual-level income. The impact of insurance, education level, and county-level SDOH on likelihood of LDKT persisted in models adjusting for both individual- and area-level SDOH.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that individual- and area-level SDOH play overlapping but distinct roles contributing to disparities in LDKT. Addressing individual- and area-level SDOH is crucial, considering the accentuated effect of income at the individual- rather than area-level.

The importance of equity in transplant oncology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Transplant oncology encompasses and utilizes liver transplantation (LT) in combination with other aspects of cancer care to offer improved long-term outcomes for patients with liver cancer, but not all patients have equal access and ability to undergo LT. Social determinants of health may negatively impact a patient's ability to receive liver-related oncologic care, including LT. This review highlights recent work exposing gaps in access to LT, including transplant oncology, and interventions to ameliorate these disparities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Members of racial and ethnic minorities and indigenous groups, females, socioeconomically disadvantaged persons, and patients from rural areas are less likely to undergo LT. Recent studies have also described programs that have successfully mitigated some of the barriers in access to transplant oncology that these patients experience, including targeted outreach programs and access to virtual healthcare.

SUMMARY

Disparities in access to LT for liver cancer are increasingly well described, but additional research is needed to find effective ways to ameliorate these differences.

Outcomes After Heart Transplantation Among Non-Native English-Speaking Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Effective communication and understanding are imperative for heart transplant (HT) recipients who require lifelong adherence to treatment plans and medications. Whether non-native English speaking (NNES) recipients have inferior outcomes compared to native English-speaking recipients (NES) has not been studied post-HT.

METHODS

We reviewed adult HT recipients at Columbia University Irving Medical Center from January 2005-December 2022; primary language was determined by chart review. Baseline characteristics and patient-level zip codes, which were used to derive the socioeconomic status (SES) index by using data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), were included. Mortality at 1 year and 5 years was compared between NNES and NES recipients. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and log-rank testing was used to compare survival between groups. Secondary outcomes, including all-cause hospitalization, hospitalization for infection and rejection at 1 year, as well as rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy at 5 years, were analyzed using cumulative incidence functions with Gray testing to detect differences between groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine whether there was an association between NNES and primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 1066 HT recipients, 103 (10%) were NNES. NNES recipients were more likely to identify as non-White, to have Medicaid as the primary payer and to have lower educational attainment. On average, NNES recipients resided in zip codes with higher levels of unemployment and lower household incomes. Overall, NNES had lower median AHRQ SES indices (51 vs 55; P < 0.001). After adjustment for clinical factors, including socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity and education level, mortality at 1 and 5 years for NNES and NES recipients were not significantly different, although there was a trend toward improved survival rates in the NNES group (1-year adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-1.01; P = 0.05; 5-year adjusted HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.22-1.03; P = 0.06). Similarly, there were no differences in need for rehospitalization, infection requiring hospitalization or rejection at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in outcomes at 1 year and 5 years post-HT between NNES and NES. Availability of interpreter services and educational resources in multiple languages are paramount to maintaining effective communication and equitable outcomes.

Pedagogical Principles in Implementing a Data Visualization Project in an Undergraduate Public Health Informatics Course

BACKGROUND

 The Applied Public Health Informatics Competency Model lists "data analysis, visualization, and reporting" as one of the eight competencies when teaching public health informatics. Thus, public health informatics students need to develop knowledge and skills in visualizing public health data. Unfortunately, there is limited work that discusses pedagogical principles that could guide the implementation of pedagogical activities related to data visualization in public health informatics.

OBJECTIVE

 This study aimed to introduce, discuss, and reflect on pedagogical principles that were implemented for a data visualization project in an undergraduate public health informatics course.

METHODS

 A reflective teaching approach was used to guide the discussion and reflection on how pedagogical principles were implemented for a data visualization project in an undergraduate public health informatics course. The generic implementation framework (i.e., preimplementation, implementation, and postimplementation) was used to organize the discussion of the course's implementation.

RESULTS

Four pedagogical principles were implemented as part of a data visualization project in an undergraduate public health informatics course: scaffolding (i.e., outputs built on top of each other), constructivism (i.e., students apply knowledge and work in teams to create a dashboard), critical consciousness (i.e., embedding social determinants of health (SDOH) in their dashboard), and equity and inclusion (i.e., using a free data visualization software that is easy to use for beginners and is used by public health institutions). Postimplementation reflection revealed areas of improvement, such as enhancing group advising, adding more SDOH variables in the dashboard, and plans for scalability.

CONCLUSION

 A data visualization project in an undergraduate public health informatics course could benefit from implementing multiple pedagogical principles. Overall, creating dashboards can be a learning tool to enhance data visualization skills among undergraduate public health informatics students. Dashboards can also emphasize the impact of health disparities and inequities in public health by incorporating the principles of SDOH.

Individual-level social determinants of health and disparities in access to kidney transplant and waitlist mortality

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive, individual-level social determinants of health (SDOH) are not collected in national transplant registries, limiting research aimed at understanding the relationship between SDOH and waitlist outcomes among kidney transplant candidates.

METHODS

We merged Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data with individual-level SDOH data from LexisNexis, a commercial data vendor, and conducted a competing risk analysis to determine the association between individual-level SDOH and the cumulative incidence of living donor kidney transplant (LDKT), deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT), and waitlist mortality. We included adult kidney transplant candidates placed on the waiting list in 2020, followed through December 2023.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis, having public insurance (Medicare or Medicaid), less than a college degree, and any type of derogatory record (liens, history of eviction, bankruptcy and/ felonies) were associated with lower likelihood of LDKT. Compared with patients with estimated individual annual incomes ≤ $30,000, patients with incomes ≥ $120,000 were more likely to receive a LDKT (sub distribution hazard ratio (sHR), 2.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.03-3.12). Being on Medicare (sHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.42-1.57), having some college or technical school, or at most a high school diploma were associated with a higher likelihood of DDKT. Compared with patients with incomes ≤ $30,000, patients with incomes ≥ $120,000 were less likely to receive a DDKT (sHR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.51-0.71). Lower individual annual income, having public insurance, at most a high school diploma, and a record of liens or eviction were associated with higher waitlist mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with adverse individual-level SDOH were less likely to receive LDKT, more likely to receive DDKT, and had higher risk of waitlist mortality. Differential relationships between SDOH, access to LDKT, DDKT, and waitlist mortality suggest the need for targeted interventions aimed at decreasing waitlist mortality and increasing access to LDKT among patients with adverse SDOH.

Management of Patients With Kidney Disease Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Bariatric surgery is increasingly recognized as a safe and effective treatment for obesity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including stages 4, 5, and 5D (on dialysis). Among the available surgical methods, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure and is mainly done to facilitate kidney transplantation (KT). However, many KT candidates treated with SG remain on the transplant waiting list for months to years, with some never receiving a transplant. Therefore, appropriate candidates for SG must be selected, and post-SG management should address the unique needs of this population, with a focus on sustaining the metabolic benefits of surgery while minimizing potential side effects related to rapid weight loss which may inadvertently lead to muscle and bone catabolism. Multidisciplinary post-SG care in this population may lead to overall better health on the transplant waiting list, resulting in a higher percentage of post-SG patients ultimately receiving KT. To tailor the effective treatment for these patients, clinicians should acknowledge that patients with CKD stage 4-5D have different nutritional needs and are metabolically and psychosocially distinct from the general bariatric surgery population. Sarcopenia is highly prevalent and may be exacerbated by muscle catabolism following SG if not adequately addressed. Blood pressure, glucose, and bone metabolism are all affected by the CKD stage 4-5D, and therefore require distinct diagnostic and management approaches. Long-standing chronic disease, associated comorbidities, and low adherence to medical therapies require ongoing comprehensive psychosocial assessment and support. This paper aims to review and consolidate the existing literature concerning the intersection of CKD stage 4-5D and the consequences of SG. We also suggest future clinical outcome studies examining novel treatment approaches for this medically complex population.

Geography, inequities, and the social determinants of health in transplantation

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.

Racial Equity in Living Donor Kidney Transplant Centers, 2008-2018

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.

Characterization of social determinants of health of a liver transplant referral population

Disparities exist in referral and access to the liver transplant (LT) waitlist, and social determinants of health (SDOH) are increasingly recognized as important factors driving health inequities, including in LT. The SDOH of potential transplant candidates is therefore important to characterize when designing targeted interventions to promote equity in access to LT. Yet, it is uncertain how a transplant center should approach this issue, characterize SDOH, identify disparities, and use these data to inform interventions. We performed a retrospective study of referrals for first-time, single-organ LT to our center from 2016 to 2020. Addresses were geoprocessed and mapped to the corresponding county, census tract, and census block group to assess their geospatial distribution, identify potential disparities in referrals, and characterize their communities across multiple domains of SDOH to identify potential barriers to evaluation and selection. We identified variability in referral patterns and areas with disproportionately low referrals, including counties in the highest quartile of liver disease mortality (9%) and neighborhoods in the highest quintile of socioeconomic deprivation (17%) and quartile of poverty (21%). Black individuals were also under-represented compared with expected state demographics (12% vs. 18%). Among the referral population, several potential barriers to evaluation and selection for LT were identified, including poverty, educational attainment, access to healthy food, and access to technology. This approach to the characterization of a transplant center's referral population by geographic location and associated SDOH demonstrates a model for identifying disparities in a referral population and potential barriers to evaluation that can be used to inform targeted interventions for disparities in LT access.

Survival Benefit Relative to Treatment Modalities Among Patients with Very Early Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: an Analysis of the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) has been considered a potential curative treatment for patients with very early intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and cirrhosis, yet the survival benefit of LT has not been well defined. This study aimed to compare the long-term survival outcomes of patients who underwent LT with that of individuals who received resection and non-curative intent treatment (non-CIT).

METHODS

Patients who underwent LT, hepatectomy, and non-CIT between 2004 and 2018 were included in the National Cancer Database. Survival benefits of LT over resection and non-CIT were analyzed relative to overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Among 863 patients, 54 (6.3%) underwent LT, while 342 (39.6%) underwent surgical resection, and 467 (54.1%) received non-CIT, respectively. While the rates of non-CIT increased over time, the percentages of LT remained consistent during the study period. LT patients had similar 5-year OS to individuals who underwent resection (referent, resection: LT, HR 0.95, 95%CI 0.84-1.58, p=0.84). In contrast, 5-year OS was better among patients who underwent LT versus individuals who had non-CIT after controlling other variables using propensity score overlapping weighting (5-year OS, LT 57.1% vs. LR 25.8%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of very early ICC patients who underwent LT were similar to individuals who underwent hepatectomy, but better than patients treated with non-CIT. LT should be may be a consideration as a treatment option for patients with early stage ICC who are unsuitable candidates for resection.

Equity in liver transplantation: are we any closer?

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.