La colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) es el principal diagnóstico de los pacientes hispanos en lista para trasplante hepático (1,3%). En contraste, la colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) es el diagnóstico más frecuente en blancos no hispanos (BNH) (5,4%) y en afroamericanos (6,4%) (50). Los datos de la UNOS indican proporciones similares en la supervivencia a los cinco años en personas hispanas que reciben un trasplante para cirrosis biliar primaria (CBP) y colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) (75,3 y 77,1%, respectivamente) comparado con blancos no hispanos (BNH) (78,1 y 73,6%, respectivamente). (50)

Conclusiones

La población hispana representa el crecimiento más grande y más rápido dentro de los grupos minoritarios en los Estados Unidos. A pesar de una mayor supervivencia global de hispanos contra otros grupos poblacionales, las enfermedades hepáticas son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en esta población. Los datos muestran una mayor incidencia, agresividad y peor pronóstico, inclusive después de implantado el tratamiento adecuado. Estas observaciones subrayan la importancia de reconocer las diferencias étnicas en el momento de la valoración clínica y el tratamiento a pacientes hispanos, que a menudo incluyen las barreras culturales y lingüísticas. Concluimos que la enfermedad crónica del hígado es un área de disparidad importante en la salud para las personas hispanas, necesitada de una mayor prioridad en la atención e investigación. Las áreas para la investigación futuras incluyen las características etnicoespecíficas, que podrían traducirse potencialmente en buenas estrategias para la prevención, alcanzar mejores resultados terapéuticos y, finalmente, aumentar la supervivencia en las personas hispanas con enfermedad crónica del hígado.

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