Liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the United States 2002–2014: An analysis of the UNOS/OPTN registry

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186898
• Publication Date: 2017-10-31T18:13:12Z
• Authors: Georg Dultz; Barry I. Graubard; Paul Martin; Martin-Walter Welker; Johannes Vermehren; Stefan Zeuzem; Katherine A. McGlynn; Tania M. Welzel
• Keywords: Hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the U.S. We investigated characteristics of HCV-infected patients registered OLT, and explored factors associated with mortality. Data were obtained from United Network Organ Sharing Procurement Transplantation network (UNOS/OPTN) registry. Analyses included 41,157 HCV-mono-infected ≥18 years age listed cadaveric OLT between February 2002 June 2014. Characteristics pre- post-transplant survival time trends over study period determined by logistic Cox proportional hazard regression analyses Poisson regressions. Most white (69.1%) male (70.8%). At waitlist registration, mean was 54.6 MELD 16. HCC recorded 26.9% records. A total 51.2% received an 21.0% died or too sick; 15.6% delisted 10.4% still waiting. Factors increased mortality older age, female gender, blood type 0, diabetes, no transplant region (p<0.001). recipient risk post race (p<0,0001), allocation (p = 0.005). Donor ethnicity (p<0.0001) diabetes (p<0.03). Waitlist registrations OLTs significantly 14.4% to 37.3% 27.8% 38.5%, respectively (p<0.0001). Pre- depended on variety patient-, donor-, allocation- which most remain relevant DAA-era. Still, intensified HCV screening strategies timely effective treatment are highly reduce burden HCV-related