MELD Calculator
Calculate the MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score — the foundation of liver transplant allocation since 2002.
What is MELD?
The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score predicts 90-day mortality in patients with cirrhosis. UNOS adopted MELD in 2002 to allocate cadaveric donor livers fairly and objectively, replacing the older Child-Pugh-based system. Scores range 6–40; higher scores mean greater short-term mortality risk and higher transplant priority. Variants like MELD-Na incorporate sodium and predict outcomes more accurately in many cohorts.
How is it calculated?
MELD = round(3.78 × ln(bilirubin) + 11.2 × ln(INR) + 9.57 × ln(creatinine) + 6.43). Values below 1 are set to 1 to avoid negative logs. Creatinine is capped at 4 in patients on dialysis or with creatinine > 4. Final scores are bounded between 6 and 40.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why log values?
- Lab values are right-skewed; log transformation linearises the relationship.
- What is MELD-Na?
- An updated formula adding sodium for improved 90-day mortality prediction.
- How is MELD used in clinics?
- To prioritise transplant lists and assess surgical risk.
- Can MELD improve?
- Yes — treatment of the underlying disease can lower MELD significantly.