End-stage liver disease refers to the model of end-stage liver disease. The MELD and Child-Pugh scores serve to measure the severity of a person’s liver disease. The MELD score tells about the patient’s survival. Also helps in assessing the severity of liver disease to assess other risks and benefits.
It helps with the process of organ allocation for liver transplant and guides the goals of care. In today’s article, we will take you through the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) in detail. If you have any liver related problem then you can consult our doctor. To book an appointment with a doctor online Click here,
End-stage liver disease can affect men, women, and children of all ages, but it is more common in people who are overweight. A greasy, high-calorie and fructose diet can also lead to fatty liver disease. Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in the cities of India. More and more people are currently being diagnosed with diabetes. As obesity and diabetes are major threats to fatty liver, it is estimated that acute fatty liver disease will become a major cause of death for these patients in the next 10–20 years. If someone has end-stage liver disease, then doctors recommend liver transplant as the last option for its treatment.
The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, or MELD, is a scoring system used to assess the severity of chronic liver disease and to prioritize recipients for liver transplant surgery. The MELD score estimates the risk of death within 90 days without liver transplant surgery.
Based on various laboratory tests, a MELD score can be found that can range between 6-40. A high MELD score indicates an urgent need for a liver transplant. In addition, a high MELD score also indicates a higher position on the transplant waiting list. Doctors use a similar scoring system for children under the age of 12, known as the Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD) score.
symptoms of liver disease
In some types of liver disease, no signs or symptoms develop that may indicate other common diseases. At the same time, serious symptoms can also be seen in some liver diseases. However, if symptoms of liver disease do develop, they may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- abdominal pain and bloating
- swelling in the feet and ankles
- dark urine
- yellowing of stool
- being tired for a long time
- itchy skin
- vomiting and nausea
- loss of appetite (or very little appetite)
- body weight loss
When do you need End-Stage Liver Disease scores?
Here are some conditions that lead to liver failure where the patient may require a liver transplant. In such cases, a MELD score is required.
- liver cirrhosis: This is a condition where healthy liver cells are replaced by fibrotic scar tissue. Liver cirrhosis is a slow and gradual process.
- Hepatitis: It is a liver infection caused by a hepatotropic virus.
- Alcoholic liver disease: It is a condition where long-term alcohol consumption damages the liver cells, resulting in scarring of the liver tissue.
- Hemochromatosis: This is a condition in which the body stores excess iron.
- Wilson’s Disease: It is a disease in which excess copper accumulates in the liver and other organs.
- primary biliary cirrhosis: It is a diseased condition characterized by gradual, progressive damage to the small bile ducts of the liver. This leads to the accumulation of bile and other toxins in the liver.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis: It is a disease of the liver and gallbladder, in which the bile ducts become swollen and injured.
- Biliary atresia: It is a genetic condition where there is a blockage in the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gall bladder. In this condition, symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, abdominal swelling etc. are seen.
If your doctor suggests that you need liver transplant surgery, your MELD score is one of several things that indicate your place on the liver transplant waiting list. If you want to consult a doctor Click here,
Tests to Detect Liver Disease?
To diagnose liver diseases, the doctor first conducts a physical examination of the patient as well as asks about his medical history. During this time, if the doctor thinks that you are suffering from some liver disease, then you may be advised to undergo some tests to confirm it:
- Serum Bilirubin: Due to liver disease, the level of bilirubin starts increasing in the body and with the help of tests, liver diseases can be confirmed by examining it.
- Albumin: It is a type of protein, which is synthesized by the liver. When the liver is affected, its amount in the body decreases.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): This is a group of enzymes made by many parts of the body, including the intestine, kidneys, and bones. With the help of ALP test, it can also help in detecting diseases related to liver.
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT): It is a special type of enzyme made by liver cells called hepatocytes. When hepatocytes are damaged due to liver disease, the amount of LLT begins to increase.
- Liver Biopsy: In this, a piece of liver tissue is taken as a sample and it is examined. Testing on a liver sample also helps diagnose liver diseases.
- Imaging Test: Various imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI and CT scan can be done to detect many liver related problems including scars, tumors and enlargement of liver.
How often is the MELD score updated?
The MELD score is not constant and changes as the patient’s condition changes. The patient’s medical condition, previous treatment and final MELD score determine the status of the MELD score.
If the patient’s condition worsens, the MELD score becomes higher. Also, depending on how severe the disease is, the MELD score can be calculated once a week. Here is a list of typical MELD scores:
- This test will be done once in less than 10 years
- 11 to 18 : It will be recalculated every 3 months
- 19 to 24: It will be recalculated once in a month
- 25 or more: will be counted each week
Please contact your doctor/hepatologist for more information about the MELD score.
if you End-stage liver disease treatment If you want to do so, you can ask any question related to this, to ask a question Click here or you us WhatsApp (+91 9654030724) or email us at [email protected] If you are seeking treatment at an affordable yet world class hospital our team will get in touch with you at the earliest.
Disclaimer: GoMedii is a digital health care platform that connects all healthcare needs and facilities. GoMedii brings to its readers health news, health tips and all health related information through blogs which are verified by health experts and doctors. All information and facts published in the GoMedii blog are thoroughly checked and verified by doctors and health experts, thus verifying the source of the information.
