Since the introduction of the MELD‐based allocation system, women are now 30% less likely than men to undergo liver transplant (LT) and have 20% higher waitlist mortality. These disparities are in large part due to height differences in men and women though no national policies have been implemented to reduce sex disparities. Patients were identified using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) from 2014 to 2019. Patients were categorized into five groups by first dividing into thirds by height then dividing the shortest third into three groups to capture more granular differences in the most disadvantaged patients (<166 cm). We then used LSAM to model waitlist outcomes in five versions of awarding additional MELD points to shorter candidates compared to current policy. We identified two proposed policy changes LSAM scenarios that resulted in improvement in LT and death percentage for the shortest candidates with the least negative impact on taller candidates. In conclusion, awarding an additional 1–2 MELD points to the shortest 8% of LT candidates would improve waitlist outcomes for women. This strategy should be considered in national policy allocation to address sex‐based disparities in LT.

Background. The effect of height and sex on liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods. Using United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, 14 844 HCC patients listed for LT from 2005 to 2015 were identified. Cumulative incidence of waitlist events (LT and dropout for death or too sick) were calculated and modeled using Fine and Gray competing risk regression. Results. Short (SWR), mid (MWR), and long (LWR) UNOS wait regions comprised 25%, 42%, and 33% of the cohort. Three-year cumulative incidence of LT was lower in shorter height patients (≤150, 151–165, and >185 cm; 70.8%, 76.7%, and 83.5%; P < 0.001) and women (78.2% versus 79.8%; P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, shorter height (≤150, 151–165 cm, hazard ratio [HR] versus >185 cm) was associated with lower probability of LT (0.81 and 0.89; P = 0.02) and greater dropout (HR 1.99 and 1.43; P < 0.001). Female sex was not associated with LT overall, but a significant sex and wait region interaction (P = 0.006) identified lower LT probability for women in MWR (HR versus men, 0.91; P = 0.02). Conclusions. Despite uniform HCC Model for End-Stage Liver Disease exception across height and sex, shorter patients and females in MWR have lower probability of LT. Consideration should be given to awarding additional Model for End-Stage Liver Disease exception points to these patients.

The ideal repair mechanism for overcoming barrier disruption in atopic dermatitis (AD) needs to completely eliminate microbe and allergen penetration as well as transepidermal water loss. We propose the hydrogel patch as an innovative approach to complete barrier repair. It is composed of an adhesive, thin, flexible, hydrogel layer on an impermeable urethane surface. We conducted a 6-week pilot study with 15 AD patients, who applied the hydrogel patch over one lesion for 6-8 h daily and triamcinolone (TAC) 0.1% cream twice daily to another lesion. Results after 2-week no treatment follow-up showed hydrogel patch had notable efficacy, and comparable to TAC 0.1% cream. Larger studies are needed to validate these results.

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