Race and liver transplantation
T. A. Gonwa, C. A. Morris, M. L. Mai, B. S. Husberg, R. M. Goldstein and G. B. Klintmalm
Transplantation Services, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Tex 75246.
Little is known about the effect of race on the outcome of liver
transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 358 recipients of
orthotopic liver transplants to address this issue. Black recipients were
underrepresented compared with the general population (6% of transplant
recipients vs 12% of the population). Black recipients appeared sicker when
presenting for transplantation, as evidenced by a higher priority score and
a significantly greater incidence of acute and fulminant presentation.
Despite this, black recipients had survival rates following transplantation
that were not significantly different from those of white recipients; the
1-, 2-, and 3-year actuarial survival rates of blacks were 89.6%, 68.3%,
and 68.3%, respectively, while the actuarial survival rates of whites at
the same periods were 86%, 82.4%, and 78.6%, respectively. We conclude that
blacks can have an outcome equal to whites following liver transplantation
but they are underrepresented compared with the general population.
