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Germani G, Ferrarese A, D'Arcangelo F, Russo FP, Senzolo M, Gambato M, Zanetto A, Cillo U, Feltracco P, Persona P, Serra E, Feltrin G, Carretta G, Capizzi A, Donato D, Tessarin M, Burra P. The role of an integrated referral program for patients with liver disease: A network between hub and spoke centers. United European Gastroenterol J 2024; 12:76-88. [PMID: 38087960 PMCID: PMC10859718 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Access to Liver transplantation (LT) can be affected by several barriers, resulting in delayed referral and increased risk of mortality due to complications of the underlying liver disease. AIM To assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute or chronic liver disease referred using an integrated referral program. MATERIALS AND METHODS An integrated referral program was developed in 1 October 2017 based on email addresses and a 24/7 telephone availability. All consecutive adult patients with liver disease referred for the first time using this referral program were prospectively collected until 1 October 2021. Characteristics and outcomes of inpatients were compared with a historical cohort of patients referred without using the integrated referral program (1 October 2015-1 October 2017). Patients were further divided according to pre- and post-Covid-19 pandemic. RESULTS Two hundred eighty-one referred patients were considered. End stage liver disease was the most common underlying condition (79.3%), 50.5% of patients were referred as inpatients and 74.7% were referred for LT evaluation. When inpatient referrals (n = 142) were compared with the historical cohort (n = 86), a significant increase in acute liver injury due to drugs/herbals and supplements was seen (p = 0.01) as well as an increase in End stage liver disease due to alcohol-related liver disease and NASH, although not statistically significant. A significant increase in referrals for evaluation for Trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement was seen over time (5.6% vs. 1%; p = 0.01) as well as for LT evaluation (84.5% vs. 81%; p = 0.01). Transplant-free survival was similar between the study and control groups (p = 0.3). The Covid-19 pandemic did not affect trends of referrals and patient survival. CONCLUSIONS The development of an integrated referral program for patients with liver disease can represent the first step to standardize already existing referral networks between hub and spoke centers. Future studies should focus on the timing of referral according to different etiologies to optimize treatment options and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Germani
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferrarese
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Arcangelo
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Senzolo
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Gambato
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Zanetto
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Feltracco
- Intensive Care Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Persona
- Intensive Care Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Eugenio Serra
- Intensive Care Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Alfio Capizzi
- Medical Direction, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniele Donato
- Medical Direction, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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