Examining how geographic differences affect liver transplant waitlist outcomes
Official title: Geographic Variation in Non-HCC MELD Exceptions and Its Effect on Liver Transplant Waitlist Outcomes
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11063114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how differences in liver disease scores in various areas affect who gets a liver transplant, aiming to understand why some patients have a harder time getting the help they need and to find ways to make sure everyone has a fair chance at receiving a transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $161,657 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK125769-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage liver disease who are on the liver transplant waitlist or are considering transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver disease who are not on the transplant waitlist or those who are not eligible for transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how variations in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores across different regions impact the allocation of donor livers for transplantation. It focuses on understanding the discrepancies in waitlist mortality risk and how these differences can affect patient access to liver transplants. By analyzing both calculated and allocation MELD scores, the study aims to highlight the role of MELD exception points and the influence of social determinants of health on transplant outcomes. The goal is to inform policies that could lead to more equitable access to liver transplants across geographic areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies that ensure fairer access to liver transplants for patients, regardless of their geographic location.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that geographic disparities in healthcare access can significantly impact patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cannon, Robert M. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Cannon, Robert M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Biomarker-guided reduction of immunosuppression after liver transplant
A multicenter trial tests whether using blood biomarkers to guide tapering of immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants can keep people healthy while lowering drug exposure.
-
Understanding how liver disease progresses in people waiting for a liver transplant
A study will build a knowledge base that maps how liver disease worsens over time in patients on the transplant waitlist to improve care and planning.
-
Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
-
Pre-Transplant Immune Health Marker Panel to Predict Liver Transplant Outcomes
A patient-facing biomarker test used before liver transplant to help doctors estimate the risk of early death after the transplant.
-
Thinking skills and self-care after a liver transplant
This project follows people who received liver transplants to learn how changes in thinking and memory affect managing medicines, clinic visits, and overall health.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.