Geriatric Assessments in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease

The NIH-funded Functional Assessment in Liver Transplant (FrAILT) Study, led by hepatologist and principal investigator Jennifer C. Lai, M.D., M.B.A., aims to apply measures of frailty and functional status to patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting liver transplantation.

 Her central hypothesis is that applying  principles of geriatric assessment to this population can improve our ability to better identify which patients are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes before and after liver transplantation. Her research lays the groundwork for therapeutic interventions to "pre-habilitate" patients awaiting liver transplantation to improve their outcomes and quality of life.