Failure Rate Higher for African American Liver Transplant Recipients

The researchers analyzed data collected by the United Network of Organ Sharing transplant registry for all liver transplants performed between 1988 and 1996 in the United States.

They reported in The Lancet that the rate of failure of the transplanted liver due to chronic rejection was almost twice as high among African Americans compared to other races.

Two-year organ survival for Asians was 64 percent and for African Americans was 68 percent compared to 72 percent for Hispanics and 74 percent for white Americans.

The researchers also reported that the five-year survival rate for Asian liver transplant patients was 37 percent and for African-Americans was 48 percent, compared to 52 percent for Hispanics and and 58 percent for white Americans.

“Our study suggests that there is a clear need for prospective studies to examine our observations further," wrote lead researcher Paul Thuluvath. "Until then, the reasons for poor survival in African Americans will remain speculative and will probably be dismissed as being due to poor compliance with therapy. Moreover, the higher rate of chronic rejection in African Americans suggests that there should be more rigorous drug trials in this patient population.”

Other Sources: The Lancet