The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score can be used to effectively predict mortality risk in patients with advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis.

The MELD score is derived using the values for serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and the international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (INR).

Formula used:

• MELD Score = [(0.957 × log _e (Creatinine)) + (0.378 × log _e (Billirubin)) + (1.12 × loge(INR))] + 6.43

Where, Creatinine is in mg/dL, Bilirubin is in mg/dL

The MELD score for each liver transplant candidate derived from this calculation shall be rounded to the tenth decimal place and then multiplied by 10.

Abbreviations

MELD = Model for End-stage Liver Disease

References:

• Kamath PS, Kim WR. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). Hepatology. 2007;45(3):797-805.
• United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). MELD/PELD Calculator Documentation. http://www.unos.org/docs/MELD_PELD_Calculator_Documentation.pdf. Last accessed May 15, 2013.