New research is shedding light on the evolving landscape of liver transplants (LT) for non-cancer conditions in the United States. Dr Abdellatif Ismail (University of Maryland Medical Center, Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA) focuses on how underlying liver diseases – and their distribution among different sex and racial groups – have changed over the past decade.
Key Takeaway
“Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has become the leading cause of liver transplants in almost all demographics,” Dr Ismail explained. “But in Hispanic females, fatty liver disease remains the top driver of transplant need.” Fatty liver disease is linked to rising rates of obesity and metabolic disorders, whereas ALD reflects the impact of heavy alcohol use.
The research was prompted by clinical observations from Dr Ismail’s mentor, Dr Ashwani Singal, who noticed evolving patterns in liver transplant cases. “We saw significant gaps in the data when it came to understanding how these diseases vary by sex and race,” Dr Ismail said. “Filling these gaps is critical for crafting better prevention strategies and ensuring fair access to transplants.”
Building on previous studies that noted the rise of ALD and fatty liver disease, Dr Ismail’s research explores how these trends affect different populations. For example, the findings highlight how racial disparities intersect with lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, such as access to healthcare and public health initiatives.
The research team hopes their findings will spur action. “We need stronger public health strategies to address alcohol use disorder,” Dr Ismail emphasized. “ALD is preventable, and the rising rates we’re seeing suggest that we need to do more at the policy level to curb its impact.” At the same time, the study underscores the importance of addressing fatty liver disease as a growing cause of liver failure, particularly in women. The findings suggest that prevention campaigns targeting specific risk factors like alcohol use, obesity and metabolic disorders must be tailored to different populations.
Dr Ismail cautioned against oversimplifying the findings. “While ALD has taken the lead in most cases, conditions like fatty liver disease and hepatitis C still play major roles in liver failure,” he said. The study highlights that effective transplant policy and resource allocation require a nuanced understanding of these diverse drivers. This research not only deepens our understanding of liver disease epidemiology but also highlights the need for more equitable healthcare policies aimed at reducing the burden of preventable liver failure across all populations.
Presentation title: Sex and Race Disparities in Liver Listings and Transplants for Non-hepatocellular Carcinoma Indications in the United States (Abstract 2536)
Disclosure: This short article was provided by American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). No funding or publication fees were involved in the publication of this article.
Acknowledgement: Editorial Assistance was provided by Joey Heywood at Touch Medical Media.
