Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The incidence of short-term (90-day) hospital readmission and morbidity following liver transplantation (LT) for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is poorly characterized, and no study to date has distinguished these short-term outcomes between MASLD and non-MASLD LT recipients. The primary objective of this study was to leverage the National Readmissions Database (NRD) to distinguish 90-day readmission rates and morbidity among those undergoing LT for MASLD and non-MASLD etiologies. METHODS: Recipients undergoing LT were identified in the NRD between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022. Morbidity was defined as an aggregate of common surgical complications. Univariate and age-sex adjusted quasi-Poisson regressions were used to identify trends and differences in characteristics for patients stratified by indication for LT. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with 90-day readmissions and morbidity. RESULTS: A weighted total of 58 148 LT procedures were identified, of which 11 235 (19.3%) had MASLD etiology. LT for MASLD increased over the study period, while LT for hepatitis C and liver cancer decreased. Relative to non-MASLD LT recipients, MASLD LT recipients had increased comorbid risk profiles, including higher rates of class 3 obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40) and associated liver cancer. MASLD LT recipients had lower rates of 90-day readmission, morbidity, and cardiovascular complications (all p < 0.05). Among patients with class 3 obesity and liver cancer, MASLD etiology was associated with improved or non-inferior 90-day outcomes relative to non-MASLD LT recipients. Finally, among MASLD LT recipients, the presence of chronic kidney disease, prior bariatric surgery, dialysis, female sex, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were independent predictors of 90-day morbidity and readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increased comorbid risk profile, MASLD LT recipients had superior 90-day readmission rates and morbidity outcomes relative to non-MASLD LT recipients. MASLD etiology appears to normalize 90-day outcomes among patients with obesity and liver cancer.