Sex and racial disparities in living donor liver transplantation in the United States

Abstract

Sex and racial disparities in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) have been described, but this has not been well studied in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We aim to examine these disparities in the US LDLT population and identify potential predictors of these differences. From 2002 to 2021, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database was queried to characterize the adult LDLT population and evaluate differences between LDLT and DDLT recipients with regard to sex and race. Donor demographics, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), and socioeconomic data were all included. Of the 4961 LDLT and 99,984 DDLT recipients, males received the majority of LDLT (55% vs. 45%, p < 0.001) and DDLT (67% vs. 33%, p < 0.001) compared to females. There was a significant difference in race between male and female LDLT recipients ( p < 0.001); 84% of male recipients were White and 78% of females. In both groups, females had lower levels of education and were less likely to have private insurance. There were more female living donors (N = 2545, 51%); 50% of female donors donated to males but only 40% of males donated to females. Donor-recipient relationships varied significantly by sex ( p < 0.001); males received more donations from spouses (62% vs. 39%) and siblings (60% vs. 40%). In the LDLT population, significant disparities exist with respect to sex and race that disadvantage women, but these disparities are less pronounced than in the DDLT population. Although further studies are needed, complex clinical and socioeconomic differences as well as donor factors may explain these variations.