Analysis of the French liver transplant waiting list, 1992-1996

In organ transplantation, each country has specific rules of allocation. We have retrospectively evaluated the French liver transplant waiting list for the period 1992-1996, during which time the rules for allocation remained stable. Mortality while on the waiting list and waiting times were the two principal endpoints.

Using the Etablissement Français des Greffes (EFG) registry, the study was conducted in three steps: (1) description of the waiting list population; (2) analysis of the outcome of patients, with the use of a logistic model to explain death while on the waiting list; (3) estimation of waiting times and use of a Cox model to explain waiting times.

The distribution of patients with regard to degree of urgency, age, blood type, and liver disease was variable according to the the EFG region. The outcome of patients was variable according to blood type and to EFG region. Patients classed as "extremely urgent" did not have a different outcome compared to elective patients. The logistic model indicated that two factors influenced the death: blood group and EFG region. Waiting times were variable according to EFG region; age and blood group had an influence on waiting times for a graft. The Cox model indicated the independent influence of EFG region on waiting times.

We found geographical disparities between patients with respect to time on the waiting list. However, the database must be improved by including the risk profile of each patient, leading to changes in rules for a better allocation of transplants.