Gender Disparities in Liver Transplantation

Health disparities between men and women have become apparent in recent years in many fields, including the transplant setting. In this chapter, we address gender inequities in liver transplantation, including the type of liver diseases that leads to the need of transplantation, the referral pattern to transplant centers, access to waiting lists, and transplantation itself as well as posttransplant outcome. An analysis and literature search that integrates sociocultural, biological, and physiopathological perspectives is included in each of these different steps. Furthermore, recommendations regarding specific strategies that can be developed to reduce gender disparities in liver transplant care are also suggested. Particularly, changes in the liver allocation system and a consideration for a greater use of live donors and split livers are potential means to improving access to liver transplantation for women.