Preferred language and disease severity predict evaluation for liver transplantation among patients admitted with alcohol-associated hepatitis

Abstract

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is a relatively new practice and limited work exists surrounding the role social determinants of health may play in evaluation. This includes language that defines how patients interact with the healthcare system. We explored characteristics of patients with AH evaluated for LT within an integrated health system.

Methods: Using a system-wide registry, we identified admissions for AH from 1 January 2016 to 31 July 2021. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to evaluate independent predictors of LT evaluation.

Results: Among 1723 patients with AH, 95 patients (5.5%) underwent evaluation for LT. Evaluated patients were more likely have English as their preferred language (95.8% vs 87.9%, P = 0.020), and had higher INR (2.0 vs 1.4, P < 0.001) and bilirubin (6.2 vs 2.9, P < 0.001). AH patients who underwent evaluation had a lower burden of mood and stress disorders (10.5% vs 19.2%, P < 0.05). Patients with English preferred language had a greater than three times adjusted odds of LT evaluation compared with all others when adjusting for clinical disease severity, insurance status, sex, and psychiatric comorbid conditions (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.14-9.02).

Conclusion: Patients with AH evaluated for LT were more likely to have English as their preferred language, more psychiatric comorbidities, and more severe liver disease. Despite adjustment for psychiatric comorbidities and disease severity, English preferred language remained the strongest predictor of evaluation. As programs expand LT for AH, it is vital to build equitable systems that account for the interaction between language and healthcare in transplantation.