help me understand

[hzlidvl]

what is the survival period of stage 4 liver disease in a male 47 who is a chronic drinker for 30 yrs with Hep C? Ended up in ICU with bloated belly full of blood and fluid. They mentioned a liver transplant might be necessary.

[HectorSF]

Eureka is correct in what she says.

Survival rate is now (since 2002) measured by the MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score. The MELD score uses the patient's serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and the INR to predict survival.

The score varies between 6 and 40. The 3 month mortality is-
40 or more — 71.3% mortality
30–39 — 52.6% mortality
20–29 — 19.6% mortality
10–19 — 6.0% mortality

In order to "listed" at a transplant center receive a liver transplant your husband will have to commit to stop drinking. There is such a shortage of livers that a new liver will only be given to patients who the transplant center believe will take care of themselves for the rest of their lives. To receive a new liver is a lifetime commitment to take care of your health and take medicine everyday of your life.

Hope this helps.

Hectorsf

[eureka254]

Stage 4 liver disease covers quite a wide spectrum of survival periods.  Early Stage 4 disease vs late stage 4 disease is quite different.  The symptoms you describe do suggest end-stage liver disease, but even that is unpredictable in terms of length of survival.  If he continues drinking, it will considerably shorten his survival time, as well as possibly jeopardize his chances of transplant.  With abstinence from alcohol and appropriate medical care, he could possibly live for months, or years or decades with a transplant.  Best wishes.