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Sierra L, Marenco-Flores A, Barba R, Goyes D, Ferrigno B, Diaz W, Medina-Morales E, Saberi B, Patwardhan VR, Bonder A. Influence of socioeconomic factors on liver transplant survival outcomes in patients with autoimmune liver disease in the United States. Ann Hepatol 2024; 29:101283. [PMID: 38151060 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2023.101283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs): autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have different survival outcomes after liver transplant (LT). Outcomes are influenced by factors including disease burden, medical comorbidities, and socioeconomic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database (UNOS), we identified 13,702 patients with AILDs listed for LT between 2002 and 2021. Outcomes of interest were waitlist removal, post-LT patient survival, and post- LT graft survival. A stepwise multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for transplant recipient gender, race, diabetes mellitus, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and additional social determinants including the presence of education, reliance on public insurance, working for income, and U.S. citizenship status. RESULTS Lack of college education and having public insurance increased the risk of waitlist removal (HR, 1.13; 95 % CI, 1.05-1.23, and HR, 1.09; 95 % CI, 1.00-1.18; respectively), and negatively influenced post-LT patient survival (HR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.06-1.26, and HR, 1.15; 95 % CI, 1.06-1.25; respectively) and graft survival (HR, 1.13; 95 % CI, 1.05-1.23, and HR, 1.15; 95 % CI, 1.06-1.25; respectively). Not working for income proved to have the greatest detrimental impact on both patient survival (HR, 1.41; 95 % CI, 1.24-1.6) and graft survival (HR, 1.21; 95 % CI, 1.09-1.35). CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights that lack of college education and public insurance have a detrimental impact on waitlist mortality, patient survival, and graft survival. Not working for income negatively affects post-LT survival outcomes. Not having U.S. citizenship does not affect survival outcomes in AILDs patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Sierra
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ana Marenco-Flores
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Romelia Barba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniela Goyes
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Bryan Ferrigno
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wilfor Diaz
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Esli Medina-Morales
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Medical Science Building, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Behnam Saberi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Vilas R Patwardhan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Alan Bonder
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Yoon J, Kim H, Choi D, Park B. Causes of death and associated factors with death after liver transplantation: a nationwide database study. HPB (Oxford) 2024; 26:54-62. [PMID: 37775353 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS This study investigated overall, 1-year, and 5-year mortality rate, the causes of death, and associated factors with death in liver transplantation recipients. METHODS A total of 11,590 liver transplant recipients identified from National Health Insurance Service database between 2006 and 2017 were included. Factors associated with all-cause of death were analyzed by Cox proportional regression models. Cumulative mortality rate according to the underlying indication was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The 12-year survival rate for all liver transplant recipients was 68%. In the overall, 1-year, and 5-year mortality of liver transplant recipients, hepatic death was the highest contributing risk, accounting for >65% of the causes of death. Deaths from cirrhosis and liver failure accounted for a high proportion of deaths within 1 year after transplantation, and deaths from malignant tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma were high among late-stage deaths. DISCUSSION Although the most common cause of death from liver transplantation is due to primary disease, there was a difference in the pattern of major causes of death according to the period from transplantation to death. If appropriate medical intervention is performed at each period after transplantation, the survival rate can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghyun Yoon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanjoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongho Choi
- Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Boyoung Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Malas J, Chen Q, Megna D, Zaffiri L, Rampolla RE, Egorova N, Emerson D, Catarino P, Chikwe J, Bowdish ME. Lung transplantation outcomes in patients from socioeconomically distressed communities. J Heart Lung Transplant 2023; 42:1690-1699. [PMID: 37481047 PMCID: PMC10854122 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated racial and gender disparities in lung allocation, but contemporary data regarding socioeconomic disparities in post-transplant outcomes are lacking. We evaluated the impact of a composite socioeconomic disadvantage index on post-transplant outcomes. METHODS The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients identified 27,763 adult patients undergoing isolated primary lung transplantation between 2005 and 2020. Zip code-level socioeconomic distress was characterized using the Distressed Communities Index (DCI: 0-no distress, 100-severe distress) based on education level, poverty, unemployment, housing vacancies, median income, and business growth, and patients were stratified into high (DCI ≥60) or low (DCI <60) distressed groups. RESULTS Recipients from high-distress communities (n = 8006, 28.8%) were younger (59years [interquartile range {IQR} 50-64] vs 61years [IQR 52-66]), less often white (73 vs 85%), less likely to have a college degree (45 vs 59%), and more likely to have public insurance (57 vs 49%, all p < 0.001) compared to those from low-distress communities. Additionally, high-distress recipients were more likely to have group A diagnoses (32 vs 27%) and undergo bilateral lung transplants (72.4 vs 69.3%, all p < 0.001). Post-transplant survival at 5years was 55.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.4-56.9) in high-distress recipients and 58.2% (95% CI: 57.4-58.9) in low-distress recipients (p = 0.003). After adjustment, high distress level was independently associated with an increased risk of 5-year mortality (hazard ratio:1.09, 95% CI:1.04-1.15). CONCLUSIONS Recipients from distressed communities are at increased mortality risk following lung transplantation. Efforts should be focused on increased resource allocation and further study to better understand factors which may mitigate this disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jad Malas
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qiudong Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dominick Megna
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lorenzo Zaffiri
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Reinaldo E Rampolla
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Natalia Egorova
- Department of Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Dominic Emerson
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pedro Catarino
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joanna Chikwe
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael E Bowdish
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
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Saberi B, Gurakar A, Tamim H, Schneider CV, Sims OT, Bonder A, Fricker Z, Alqahtani SA. Racial Disparities in Candidates for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Liver Transplant After 6-Month Wait Policy Change. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2341096. [PMID: 37917059 PMCID: PMC10623194 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.41096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Racial disparities in liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be associated with unequal access to life-saving treatment. Objective To quantify racial disparities in LT for HCC and mortality after LT, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was a retrospective analysis of United Network Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) data from 2003 to 2021. Participants were adult patients with HCC on the LT waiting list and those who received LT. Data were analyzed from March 2022 to September 2023. Exposures Race and time before and after the 2015 OPTN policy change. Main Outcomes and Measures Proportion of LT from wait-listed candidates, the proportion of waiting list removals, and mortality after LT. Results Among 12 031 patients wait-listed for LT with HCC (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [7.4] years; 9054 [75.3%] male; 7234 [60.1%] White, 2590 [21.5%] Latinx/o/a, and 1172 [9.7%] Black or African American), this study found that after the 2015 model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) exception policy changes for HCC (era 2), the overall proportion of LT for HCC across all races decreased while the proportion of dropouts on the LT waiting list remained steady compared with patients who did not have HCC. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, Asian patients demonstrated the lowest dropout rates in both era 1 and era 2 (1-year dropout, 16% and 17%, respectively; P < .001). In contrast, Black or African American patients had the highest dropout rates in era 1 (1-year dropout, 24%), but comparable dropout rates (23%) with White patients (23%) and Latinx/o/a patients in era 2 (23%). In both eras, Asian patients had the highest survival after LT (5-year survival, 82% for era 1 and 86% for era 2), while Black or African American patients had the worst survival after LT (5-year survival, 71% for era 1 and 79% for era 2). In the multivariable analysis for HCC LT recipients, Black or African American race was associated with increased risk of mortality in both eras, compared with White race (HR for era 1, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35; and HR for era 2, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.56). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study of LT candidates in the US found that after the 2015 MELD exception policy change for HCC, the proportion of LT for HCC had decreased for all races. Black or African American patients had worse outcomes after LT than other races. Further research is needed to identify the underlying causes of this disparity and develop strategies to improve outcomes for HCC LT candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Saberi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hani Tamim
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carolin V. Schneider
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Rheinisch Westfälisch Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Omar T. Sims
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Alan Bonder
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zachary Fricker
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Saleh A. Alqahtani
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baltimore, Maryland
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Liu JJ, DeCuir N, Kia L, Peterson J, Miller C, Issaka RB. Tools to Measure the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination on Gastrointestinal and Hepatology Disease Outcomes: A Scoping Review. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:2759-2788.e6. [PMID: 36549469 PMCID: PMC10279803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Structural racism and discrimination (SRD) are important upstream determinants of health perpetuated by discriminatory laws and policies. Therefore, measuring SRD and its impact on health is critical to developing interventions that address resultant health disparities. We aimed to identify gastrointestinal (GI) or liver studies that report measures of SRD or interventions to achieve health equity in these domains by addressing upstream determinants of health. METHODS We conducted a scoping review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scoping reviews guidelines. Studies that used an SRD measure or examined an upstream intervention in GI or liver disease were included. Studies that described health disparities in GI or liver conditions without mentioning SRD were excluded. Study characteristics, findings, and limitations were extracted. RESULTS Forty-six articles (19 studies using SRD measures and 27 studies of upstream interventions) were identified. Measures of residential racial segregation were reported most frequently. SRD was associated with poorer health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations. Although upstream intervention studies focused primarily on policies related to colon cancer screening and organ graft allocation, racial and ethnic disparities often persisted post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS To achieve health equity in GI and liver conditions, there is an urgent need for research that goes beyond describing health disparities to incorporating measures of SRD and implementing interventions that address this understudied determinant of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy J Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nicole DeCuir
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Leila Kia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jonna Peterson
- Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Corinne Miller
- Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rachel B Issaka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; Clinical Research and Public Health Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington; Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington.
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6
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Huang DC, Yu RL, Alqahtani S, Tamim H, Saberi B, Bonder A. Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities impact post-liver transplant survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Hepatol 2023; 28:101127. [PMID: 37286167 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2023.101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Liver transplantation can be a curative treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the morbidity and mortality associated with HCC varies by socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity. Policies like Share 35 were implemented to ensure equitable access to organ transplants; however, their impacts are unclear. We aimed to characterize differences in post-liver transplant (LT) survival among patients with HCC, when considering race and ethnicity, income, and insurance type, and understand if these associations were impacted by Share 35. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 30,610 adult LT recipients with HCC. Data were obtained from the UNOS database. Survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curves, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS Men (HR: 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85-0.95)), private insurance (HR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.92)), and income (HR: 0.87 (95% CI: 0.83-0.92)) corresponded with higher post-LT survival, when adjusted for over 20 demographic and clinical characteristics (Table 2). African American or Black individuals were associated with lower post-LT survival (HR: 1.20 (95% CI: 1.12-1.28)), whereas. Asian (HR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.88)) or Hispanic (HR: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81-0.92)) individuals were associated with higher survival as compared with White individuals (Table 2). Many of these patterns held in the pre-Share 35 and Share 35 periods. CONCLUSIONS Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities at time of transplant, such as private insurance and income, influence post-LT survival in patients with HCC. These patterns persist despite the passage of equitable access policies, such as Share 35.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora C Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rosa L Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Saleh Alqahtani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Tamim
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Behnam Saberi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alan Bonder
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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Samuel S, Choubey A, Koizumi N, Ekwenna O, Baxter PR, Li MH, Malik R, Ortiz J. Demographic inequities exist and influence transplant outcomes in liver transplantation for acute alcohol-associated hepatitis. HPB (Oxford) 2023:S1365-182X(23)00116-8. [PMID: 37088642 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation has inherent disparities but data is scarce in liver transplant (LT) candidates with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH). We aimed to investigate demographic inequities and its impact on survival outcomes among AAH LT candidates. METHODS A retrospective analysis using the United Network of Organ Sharing database was conducted between 2000 and 2021. 25 981 LT recipients with alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis and 662 recipients with AAH were included. Waitlisted candidates were also evaluated. RESULTS In comparison with alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, AAH LT recipients were more likely Asian or "other" race and younger. Hispanics demonstrated better graft and patient survival (p < 0.05) but were less likely to be waitlisted and transplanted for AAH than for liver cirrhosis. Women with AAH were more likely to be waitlisted and transplanted. Pre-existing diabetes and male sex were associated with higher graft failure (25% and 8% respectively). Increasing recipient age were 2% more likely to experience negative outcomes. Chronicity of liver disease did not impact graft (p = 0.137) or patient survival (p = 0.145). CONCLUSION Our results revealed demographic factors have a significant impact on transplant listing, organ allocation and survival outcomes. Further investigations are imperative to minimize disparities in LT evaluation and provide equity in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Samuel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - Ankur Choubey
- Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Naoru Koizumi
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Obi Ekwenna
- Department of Urology, The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Patrick R Baxter
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Meng-Hao Li
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Raza Malik
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Jorge Ortiz
- Department of Surgery, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, 14215, USA
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