Question 1

What is the MELD score?

Accepted Answer

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is a numerical scale (6–40) that predicts 3-month mortality risk in patients with end-stage liver disease. It uses serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and INR to calculate the score.

Question 2

What MELD score qualifies for liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

A MELD score of 15 or higher generally qualifies a patient for liver transplant listing. Higher scores indicate greater urgency. Scores above 30 are associated with >50% 90-day mortality without transplant.

Question 3

How is MELD score calculated?

Accepted Answer

MELD = 3.78 × ln(bilirubin mg/dL) + 11.2 × ln(INR) + 9.57 × ln(creatinine mg/dL) + 6.43. All values below 1.0 are set to 1.0. Maximum creatinine is capped at 4.0.

MELD Score

Interpretation

Mathematical Metric

Evidence & Lit

Suggested Diagnostic Protocols