The MELD score (an acronym for model for end stage liver disease) was developed to rank patients being evaluated for liver transplantation and has now supplanted the use of the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score.
The score is calculated using a logarithmic equation and includes only objectively measurable variables – bilirubin, creatinine, prothrombin time, age of patient, and whether the patient is receiving dialysis.
The score range is 6 to 40 with higher numbers indicating more severe disease.
A MELD calculator can be accessed here.
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