MELD score includes –
**Core Concept**
The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is a prognostic model used to estimate the severity of liver disease in patients with cirrhosis. It is primarily used to prioritize liver transplant candidates. The MELD score incorporates three laboratory values to predict the risk of mortality within 90 days.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The MELD score is calculated based on the serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and international normalized ratio (INR) for prothrombin time. These laboratory values reflect the liver's synthetic and detoxification functions. The MELD score is calculated as follows: MELD = 10 × log10 (bilirubin) + 10 × log10 (creatinine) + 10 × INR + 6.4. The higher the MELD score, the higher the risk of mortality.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately represent the components of the MELD score. While albumin is an important parameter in liver disease, it is not included in the calculation of the MELD score.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately represent the components of the MELD score. While platelet count is an important parameter in liver disease, it is not included in the calculation of the MELD score.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately represent the components of the MELD score. While hemoglobin is an important parameter in liver disease, it is not included in the calculation of the MELD score.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The MELD score is a dynamic score that can change over time as laboratory values fluctuate. It is essential to recalculate the MELD score regularly to ensure that the score accurately reflects the patient's current liver function.
**Correct Answer:** D. Bilirubin, Creatinine, INR.