[Cost analysis of liver transplantation in a community hospital: association with the Model for End-stage Liver Disease, a prognostic index to prioritize the most severe patients].

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) on transplantation costs.

Material And Methods: We included all patients who received a liver transplant for end-stage liver disease between 2006 and 2010. The study period encompassed the day of transplantation until hospital discharge. The patients were classified into two groups: those with a MELD score of 6-19 and those with a score of 20-40.

Results: The mean MELD score at transplantation was 19.2±7.0 (mean±SD). The mean cost per procedure in the study period was USD 33,461 per patient (range 21,795-104,629). The cost of transplantation was USD 30,493±8,825 in patients with a MELD score of 6-19 and was USD 36,506±15,833 in those with a score of 20-40; this difference was statistically significant (P=.04). In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, the only independent predictor of high cost was having a MELD score of 20 (OR 11.8; CI 1.6-87). In the linear regression model, the most important predictor of cost was the length of hospital stay (r(2)=43%).

Discussion: Our results demonstrate that the MELD score directly affects transplantation costs. We suggest that reimbursement systems compensate the distinct financing bodies according to the severity of the underlying disease, evaluated with the MELD.