An American Journal of Gastroenterology study found veterans with liver disease who had access to healthcare specialists had a better survival outcome than those who did not have access.
Lead study author Jessica L. Mellinger, MD, of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined more than 28,000 veterans in the Veterans Administration VISN 11 Liver Disease cohort who were diagnosed with liver disease from Jan. 1, 2000 to May 30, 2011. Thirty-seven percent of veterans had a visit with a gastroenterologist.
Here are five points:
1. The researchers found patients who had at least one gastroenterologist or hepatologist appointment any time after diagnosis were less likely to die at five years post-diagnosis compared with patients who did not see a specialist.
2. The researchers also found patients who had two or more GI visits had better survival rates compared to those who had only one or two visits.
3. The patients drove an average of 69 miles for their visit to a GI specialist.
4. Patients living farther from a specialty care center were less likely to be seen.
5. Patients diagnosed with hepatitis C or cirrhosis were more likely to be seen.