1. What is the MELD Score?

The MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score is a prognostic scoring system for assessing the severity of chronic liver disease. It is used to prioritize patients for liver transplantation based on their risk of mortality.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MELD equation:

Where:

• \( bilirubin \) — Serum bilirubin (mg/dL)
• \( INR \) — International Normalized Ratio (unitless)
• \( creatinine \) — Serum creatinine (mg/dL)

Explanation: The equation uses natural logarithms of three laboratory values to predict 3-month mortality risk in patients with liver disease.

3. Importance of MELD Score

Details: MELD score is crucial for liver transplant allocation, with higher scores indicating greater urgency for transplantation. Scores range from 6 to 40, with higher scores indicating worse prognosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bilirubin and creatinine in mg/dL. INR is unitless. All values must be positive numbers. The score is rounded to the nearest integer.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the MELD score range?
A: MELD scores range from 6 to 40, with higher scores indicating worse prognosis. Scores below 9 have low mortality risk, while scores above 30 have high risk.

Q2: How often should MELD be calculated?
A: For patients on transplant lists, MELD should be recalculated regularly (every 1-3 months) as liver function can change.

Q3: Are there limitations to MELD score?
A: MELD doesn't account for complications like hepatic encephalopathy or variceal bleeding. It may underestimate risk in certain conditions like hepatocellular carcinoma.

Q4: What is MELD-Na?
A: MELD-Na includes sodium in the calculation and is used in some regions as it better predicts mortality in patients with hyponatremia.

Q5: What MELD score qualifies for transplant?
A: Generally, patients with MELD ≥15 are considered for transplantation, but exact thresholds vary by region and organ availability.