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- (-) Access to Care (15)
- Children/Adolescents (4)
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedCron DC, Braun HJ, Ascher NL
Sex-based disparities in access to liver transplantation for waitlisted patients with model for end-stage liver disease score of 40.
The objective of this study was to determine association of sex with access to liver transplantation among candidates with the highest possible model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD 40). Using national transplant registry data, researchers compared liver offer acceptance and waitlist outcomes by sex for waitlisted liver transplant candidates who reached MELD 40. Results showed that even among candidates with high disease severity and equally high MELD scores, women have reduced access to liver transplantation and worse outcomes compared with men. The researchers concluded that policies addressing this disparity should consider factors beyond MELD score adjustments.
AHRQ-funded; HS028476.
Citation: Cron DC, Braun HJ, Ascher NL .
Sex-based disparities in access to liver transplantation for waitlisted patients with model for end-stage liver disease score of 40.
Ann Surg 2024 Jan; 279(1):112-18. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005933..
Keywords: Disparities, Access to Care, Sex Factors, Transplantation
Cron DC, Tsai TC, Patzer RE
The association of dialysis facility payer mix with access to kidney transplantation.
The purpose of this retrospective population-based cohort study was to evaluate the relationships between insurance status, facility-level payer mix, and 1-year incidence of wait-listing for access to kidney transplantation. The researchers utilized data from the United States Renal Data System from 2013 to 2018, and included patients aged 18 to 75 years initiating chronic dialysis between 2013 and 2017, excluding patients with a prior kidney transplant or with major contraindications to kidney transplant. The primary study outcome was patients added to a waiting list for kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation. The study found that a total of 233, 003 patients across 6565 facilities met the study inclusion criteria. Of 6565 dialysis facilities, the mean commercial payer mix was 21.2% with a standard deviation of 15.6 percentage points. Patient-level commercial insurance was related with an increased incidence of wait-listing. At the facility-level, greater commercial payer mix was related with increased wait-listing. However, after statistical adjustment, including adjusting for patient-level insurance status, commercial payer mix was not significantly associated with outcome.
AHRQ-funded; HS028476.
Citation: Cron DC, Tsai TC, Patzer RE .
The association of dialysis facility payer mix with access to kidney transplantation.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Jul; 6(7):e2322803. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.22803..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Access to Care, Transplantation
Strauss AT, Sidoti CN, Purnell TS
Multicenter study of racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation evaluation: understanding mechanisms and identifying solutions.
This multicenter study examined racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation. The authors recruited participants from the liver transplantation (LT) teams including coordinators, advanced practice providers, physicians, social workers, dieticians, pharmacists, leadership at 2 major LT centers. They conducted 54 interviews and had 49 observation hours. They created a conceptual framework describing how transplant work system characteristics and other external factors may improve equity in the LT evaluation process. They proposed transplant center-level solutions (i.e., including but not limited to training of staff on health equity) to modifiable barriers in the clinical work system that could help patient navigation, reduce disparities, and improve access to care. Their findings call for an urgent need for transplant centers, national societies, and policy makers to focus efforts on improving equity (tailored, patient-centered resources) using the science of human factors and systems engineering.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Strauss AT, Sidoti CN, Purnell TS .
Multicenter study of racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation evaluation: understanding mechanisms and identifying solutions.
Liver Transpl 2022 Dec;28(12):1841-56. doi: 10.1002/lt.26532..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Transplantation, Disparities, Access to Care
Kemme S, Yoeli D, Sundaram SS
Decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of the study was to explore and understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nationwide pediatric liver transplants. The researchers compared data for transplant waiting list additions, removals, and liver transplants during pre-COVID-19 (March-November 2016-2019), early COVID-19 (March-May 2020), and late COVID-19 (June-November 2020). The study results showed a 38% decrease in liver transplantations during early COVID-19, recovering to pre-pandemic rates during late COVID-19. White children had a 30% decrease in overall liver transplantation, while non-White children had a 44% decrease in overall liver transplantation. Additions to the waiting list decreased 25% during COVID-19, with Black transplant candidates the most affected, and children spent longer on the waiting list during early COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 (140 vs. 96 days). The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic decreased access to pediatric liver transplants, especially during early COVID-19. The researchers discussed that although the rate of pediatric liver transplants has resumed to pre-COVID-19 levels, racial disparities must be addressed.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Kemme S, Yoeli D, Sundaram SS .
Decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pediatr Transplant 2022 Mar;26(2):e14162. doi: 10.1111/petr.14162..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Transplantation, Access to Care, Disparities
Purnell TS, Simpson DC, Callender CO
Dismantling structural racism as a root cause of racial disparities in COVID-19 and transplantation.
As the United States faces unparalleled challenges due to COVID-19, racial disparities in health and healthcare have once again taken center stage. If effective interventions to address racial disparities in transplantation, including those magnified by COVID-19, are to be designed and implemented at the national level, it is first critical to understand the complex mechanisms by which structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism influence the presence of racial disparities in healthcare and transplantation. IN this article the authors discuss their viewpoint.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Simpson DC, Callender CO .
Dismantling structural racism as a root cause of racial disparities in COVID-19 and transplantation.
Am J Transplant 2021 Jul;21(7):2327-32. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16543..
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Transplantation, Surgery, Access to Care
Bae S, Johnson M, Massie AB
Mortality and access to kidney transplantation in patients with sickle cell disease-associated kidney failure.
Patients with sickle cell disease-associated kidney failure have high mortality, which might be lowered by kidney transplantation. However, because they show higher post-transplant mortality compared with patients with other kidney failure etiologies, kidney transplantation remains controversial in this population. In this study, the investigators aimed to quantify the decrease in mortality associated with transplantation in this population and determine the chance of receiving transplantation with sickle cell disease as the cause of kidney failure as compared with other etiologies of kidney failure.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Bae S, Johnson M, Massie AB .
Mortality and access to kidney transplantation in patients with sickle cell disease-associated kidney failure.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Mar 8;16(3):407-14. doi: 10.2215/cjn.02720320..
Keywords: Transplantation, Access to Care, Kidney Disease and Health, Mortality
Mogul DB, Perito ER, Wood N
Impact of acuity circles on outcomes for pediatric liver transplant candidates.
In December 2018, UNOS approved an allocation scheme based on recipients' geographic distance from a deceased donor ("acuity circles"). Previous analyses suggested acuity circles (AC) would reduce waitlist mortality overall, but their impact on pediatric subgroups was not considered. In this study, the investigators applied Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from 2011-2016 towards the Liver Simulated Allocation Model (LSAM) to compare outcomes by age and illness severity for the UNOS-approved AC and the existing Donor Service Area (DSA)/Region-based allocation schemes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023876.
Citation: Mogul DB, Perito ER, Wood N .
Impact of acuity circles on outcomes for pediatric liver transplant candidates.
Transplantation 2020 Aug;104(8):1627-32. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003079..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Transplantation, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Registries, Surgery, Access to Care
Luo X, Mogul DB, Massie AB
Predicting chance of liver transplantation for pediatric wait-list candidates.
The authors sought to predict the chance of receiving a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) for pediatric patients. Their model accurately predicted chance of transplant and was able to predict DDLT at specific follow-up times. They conclude that their model can serve as the basis for an online tool that would provide useful information for pediatric wait-list candidates.
AHRQ-funded; HS023876.
Citation: Luo X, Mogul DB, Massie AB .
Predicting chance of liver transplantation for pediatric wait-list candidates.
Pediatr Transplant 2019 Nov;23(7):e13542. doi: 10.1111/petr.13542..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Transplantation, Healthcare Delivery, Access to Care
Mogul DB, Lee J, Purnell TS
Barriers to access in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation.
This study examined knowledge and attitudes about living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) among patients/caregivers for children awaiting or having received a liver transplant. LDLT is only used for 10% of transplant recipients, but has a much better outcome. A survey was conducted among 217 respondents. While 97% of respondents knew an individual could donate a portion of their kidney, only 72% knew evaluation steps, and 69% knew the donor surgery was covered by the recipient’s insurance. Individuals receiving public insurance and without a college degree were less likely to know someone who had been a living donor. This gap in knowledge can create barriers to increasing LDLT for children.
AHRQ-funded; HS023876; HS024600.
Citation: Mogul DB, Lee J, Purnell TS .
Barriers to access in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation.
Pediatr Transplant 2019 Sep;23(6):e13513. doi: 10.1111/petr.13513..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Access to Care, Transplantation
Chang SH, Wang M, Liu X
Racial/ethnic disparities in access and outcomes of simultaneous liver-kidney transplant among liver transplant candidates with renal dysfunction in the United States.
Since the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) allocation system was implemented, the proportion of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLKT) has increased significantly. The investigators study whether racial/ethnic disparities exist in access to SLKT and post-SLKT survival. The investigators concluded that in the MELD era, racial/ethnic differences exist in access and survival of SLKT for patients with renal dysfunction at listing for LT.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Chang SH, Wang M, Liu X .
Racial/ethnic disparities in access and outcomes of simultaneous liver-kidney transplant among liver transplant candidates with renal dysfunction in the United States.
Transplantation 2019 Aug;103(8):1663-74. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002574..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Kidney Disease and Health, Outcomes, Policy, Transplantation
Mehrotra S, Kilambi V, Bui K
A concentric neighborhood solution to disparity in liver access that contains current UNOS districts.
Policymakers are deliberating policy reforms to reduce geographic disparity in liver allocation. This study conducted simulations comparing current allocation with the neighborhoods and sharing policies. The study concluded that the current 11 districts can be adapted systematically by adding neighboring donor service areas (DSAs) to improve geographic disparity, mortality, and airplane travel distance. Modifications to Share 35 and Share 15 policies result in further improvements.
AHRQ-funded; HS024840.
Citation: Mehrotra S, Kilambi V, Bui K .
A concentric neighborhood solution to disparity in liver access that contains current UNOS districts.
Transplantation 2018 Feb;102(2):255-78. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001934..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Policy, Transplantation
Traino HM, Nonterah CW, Cyrus JW
Disparities in the completion of steps to kidney transplantation: protocol for a systematic review.
This review will catalogue disparities in the steps to transplantation as well as the barriers and facilitators to completion of each step identified in the extant literature. The results of the review will be used to generate recommendations for future research to improve equity in access to kidney transplantation.
AHRQ-funded; HS018113.
Citation: Traino HM, Nonterah CW, Cyrus JW .
Disparities in the completion of steps to kidney transplantation: protocol for a systematic review.
BMJ Open 2015 Sep 08;5(9):e008677. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008677.
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Keywords: Disparities, Transplantation, Kidney Disease and Health, Access to Care, Guidelines
Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Friedewald JJ
Improving geographic equity in kidney transplantation using alternative kidney sharing and optimization modeling.
The authors analyzed current kidney allocation and developed an alternative kidney sharing strategy using a multiperiod linear optimization model, KSHARE, which aims to improve geographic equity in kidney transplantation while also respecting transplant system constraints and priorities. They used Organ Procurement and Transplant Network data to determine that enhancing the practice of sharing kidneys by the KSHARE model may increase geographic equity in kidney transplantation.
AHRQ-funded; HS021078.
Citation: Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Friedewald JJ .
Improving geographic equity in kidney transplantation using alternative kidney sharing and optimization modeling.
Med Decis Making 2015 Aug;35(6):797-807. doi: 10.1177/0272989x14557696.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Health Services Research (HSR), Social Determinants of Health, Transplantation
Toro-Diaz H, Mayorga ME, Barritt AS
Predicting liver transplant capacity using discrete event simulation.
The researchers constructed a discrete event simulation model informed by current donor characteristics to predict future liver transplant trends through the year 2030. They found that by altering assumptions about the future donor pool, their model can be used to develop policy interventions to prevent a further decline in this lifesaving therapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Toro-Diaz H, Mayorga ME, Barritt AS .
Predicting liver transplant capacity using discrete event simulation.
Med Decis Making 2015 Aug;35(6):784-96. doi: 10.1177/0272989x14559055.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Services Research (HSR), Policy, Transplantation
Zhang Y, Thamer M, Kshirsagar O
Dialysis chains and placement on the waiting list for a cadaveric kidney transplant.
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of dialysis facility chain status on renal transplantation therapy. The researchers concluded that dialysis chain affiliation expands previously observed ownership-related differences in placement on the waiting list, and for-profit ownership of dialysis chain facilities appears to be a significant impediment to access to renal transplants.
AHRQ-funded; HS020243.
Citation: Zhang Y, Thamer M, Kshirsagar O .
Dialysis chains and placement on the waiting list for a cadaveric kidney transplant.
Transplantation 2014 Sep 15;98(5):543-51. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000106.
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Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Transplantation, Access to Care