Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is a scoring system used to assess the severity of liver disease, particularly in patients needing a transplant. It calculates a score based on three lab results: bilirubin, creatinine, and INR (a measure of blood clotting). The higher the MELD score, the more severe the liver disease, which helps doctors prioritize patients for a liver transplant. This objective measure aids in making crucial decisions about treatment and resource allocation for individuals with serious liver conditions.