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Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the foremost cause of liver-related mortality in the United States comprising a spectrum of conditions from simple hepatic steatosis to more severe alcohol-associated cirrhosis and alcohol-associated hepatitis. There has been growing acceptance and application of early liver transplantation (eLT) for ALD. There is robust evidence for excellent patient and graft survival rates for eLT for ALD. Nevertheless, recidivism remains a major concern. This article aims to explore the recent trends in liver transplantation for ALD, as well as the advances in practice and outcomes, with focus on eLT and emerging challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias D Rady
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ahmad Anouti
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Thomas G Cotter
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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2
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Simonetto DA, Winder GS, Connor AA, Terrault NA. Liver transplantation for alcohol-associated liver disease. Hepatology 2024; 80:1441-1461. [PMID: 38889100 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in many countries, including the United States. However, LT for ALD is a complex and evolving field with ethical, social, and medical challenges. Thus, it requires a multidisciplinary approach and individualized decision-making. Short-term and long-term patient and graft survival of patients undergoing LT for ALD are comparable to other indications, but there is a continued need to develop better tools to identify patients who may benefit from LT, improve the pretransplant and posttransplant management of ALD, and evaluate the impact of LT for ALD on the organ donation and transplantation systems. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on LT for ALD, from alcohol-associated hepatitis to decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis. We discuss the indications, criteria, outcomes, and controversies of LT for these conditions and highlight the knowledge gaps and research priorities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A Simonetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Ashton A Connor
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Norah A Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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3
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Jophlin LL, Singal AK, Bataller R, Wong RJ, Sauer BG, Terrault NA, Shah VH. ACG Clinical Guideline: Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:30-54. [PMID: 38174913 PMCID: PMC11040545 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of advanced hepatic disease and frequent indication for liver transplantation worldwide. With harmful alcohol use as the primary risk factor, increasing alcohol use over the past decade has resulted in rapid growth of the ALD-related healthcare burden. The spectrum of ALD ranges from early asymptomatic liver injury to advanced disease with decompensation and portal hypertension. Compared with those with other etiologies of liver disease, patients with ALD progress faster and more often present at an advanced stage. A unique phenotype of advanced disease is alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) presenting with rapid onset or worsening of jaundice, and acute on chronic liver failure in severe forms conveying a 1-month mortality risk of 20%-50%. The model for end stage disease score is the most accurate score to stratify AH severity (>20 defined as severe disease). Corticosteroids are currently the only available therapeutic with proven efficacy for patients with severe AH, providing survival benefit at 1 month in 50%-60% of patients. Abstinence of alcohol use, a crucial determinant of long-term outcomes, is challenging to achieve in ALD patients with concurrent alcohol use disorder (AUD). As patients with ALD are rarely treated for AUD, strategies are needed to overcome barriers to AUD treatment in patients with ALD and to promote a multidisciplinary integrated care model with hepatology, addiction medicine providers, and social workers to comprehensively manage the dual pathologies of liver disease and of AUD. Liver transplantation, a definitive treatment option in patients with advanced cirrhosis, should be considered in selected patients with AH, who are unresponsive to medical therapy and have a low risk of relapse to posttransplant alcohol use. Level of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations system. This guideline was developed under the American College of Gastroenterology Practice Parameters Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta L. Jophlin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ashwani K. Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Liver Unit, Department of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert J. Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Bryan G. Sauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Norah A. Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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4
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Kim SH, Jang Y, Kim H. Concept and risk factors of alcohol relapse in liver transplant recipients with alcohol-related aetiologies: A scoping review. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2023; 32:1583-1597. [PMID: 37475208 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol relapse in those who received liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol-related liver disease can lead to poor graft function, low medication adherence rates and decreased chances of survival. Numerous studies have evaluated on this topic; however, discrepancies in the meaning and measurement of 'alcohol relapse' lead to heterogeneous results. This scoping review aimed to explore the conceptual and operational definitions of alcohol relapse in LT recipients with alcohol-related aetiologies and to examine newly reported risk factors of alcohol relapse. Following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review method and PRISMA guidelines, structured searches for articles published from 2012 to 2022 were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO. Twenty-eight studies were included in the final review. Alcohol relapse was either defined as 'any alcohol consumption' or 'a certain degree of alcohol drinking' after transplantation. Discrepancies in the incidence rates persisted even within studies that shared the same conceptual definition. Commonly reported risk factors for alcohol relapse were younger age, social isolation and shorter abstinence periods before LT. Self-efficacy and post-transplant complications were newly identified risk factors in recent studies; whereas environmental factors such as external stressors were rarely included. The variance in the definition of alcohol relapse and inconsistent identification methods make it difficult to organize a structured interventional study. A standardized stratification of post-LT alcohol relapse behaviour is needed to prior to implementing interventions that employ a harm minimization approach. Cost-effective interventions promoting self-efficacy could enable the prevention and management of alcohol relapse after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeonsoo Jang
- College of Nursing·Mo-im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunji Kim
- College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
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Winder GS, Clifton EG, Fernandez AC, MacEachern M, Andrews S, Perumalswami P, DiMartini AF, Mellinger JL. Definition and measurement of alcohol-associated insight in early liver transplantation for acute alcohol-associated hepatitis: A systematic review. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:757-767. [PMID: 37016758 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol accounts for a large disease burden in hepatology and liver transplantation (LT) and across the globe. Clinical evaluations and decisions about LT candidacy are challenging because they rely on detailed psychosocial assessments and interpretations of psychiatric and substance use disorder data, which often must occur rapidly according to the acuity of end-stage liver disease. Such difficulties commonly occur during the process of candidate selection and liver allocation, particularly during early LT (eLT) in patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH). Patients with AAH commonly have very recent or active substance use, high short-term mortality, psychiatric comorbidities, and compressed evaluation and treatment timetables. LT clinicians report that patients' alcohol-associated insight (AAI) is among the most relevant psychosocial data in this population, yet no studies exist examining how LT teams define and use AAI in eLT or its effect on clinical outcomes. In April 2022, we searched Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, EBSCOhost PsycInfo and CINAHL, and Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for reports describing AAH populations who underwent eLT, which also described psychosocial evaluation parameters. The searches retrieved 1603 unique reports. After eligibility screening, 8 were included in the qualitative analysis. This systematic review reveals that AAI is a poorly defined construct that is not measured in a standardized way. Yet it is a commonly cited parameter in articles that describe the psychosocial evaluation and decision-making of patients undergoing eLT for AAH. This article also discusses the general challenges of assessing AAI during eLT for AAH, existing AAI definitions and rating scales, how AAI has been used to date in the broader hepatology and LT literature, and future areas for clinical and research progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Scott Winder
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Erin G Clifton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anne C Fernandez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mark MacEachern
- Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah Andrews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ponni Perumalswami
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrea F DiMartini
- Departments of Psychiatry, Surgery, and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica L Mellinger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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6
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Alcoholic Hepatitis. Med Clin North Am 2023; 107:533-554. [PMID: 37001952 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a unique clinical syndrome on the spectrum of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). It constitutes a rising epidemic with increasing incidence and major public health implications. In severe AH, 30-day mortality approaches 30%, yet therapeutic options remain limited. Survival benefit from corticosteroids, the mainstay of medical treatment, is short-lived. Among corticosteroid nonresponders, the use of early liver transplantation is heterogeneous across centers and remains limited by significant barriers. Long-term prognosis is largely dictated by abstinence; however, comorbid alcohol use disorder remains undertreated. Efforts to address these challenges are required to curb the AH epidemic.
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7
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Ntandja Wandji LC, Ningarhari M, Lassailly G, Dharancy S, Boleslawski E, Mathurin P, Louvet A. Liver Transplantation in Alcohol-related Liver Disease and Alcohol-related Hepatitis. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:127-138. [PMID: 36647412 PMCID: PMC9840078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) remains one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease and the prevalence of alcohol-related cirrhosis is still increasing worldwide. Thus, ARLD is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide especially after the arrival of direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C infection. Despite the risk of alcohol relapse, the outcomes of LT for ARLD are as good as for other indications such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with 1-, 5-, and 10- year survival rates of 85%, 74%, and 59%, respectively. Despite these good results, certain questions concerning LT for ARLD remain unanswered, in particular because of persistent organ shortages. As a result, too many transplantation centers continue to require 6 months of abstinence from alcohol for patients with ARLD before LT to reduce the risk of alcohol relapse even though compelling data show the poor prognostic value of this criterion. A recent pilot study even observed a lower alcohol relapse rate in patients receiving LT after less than 6 months of abstinence as long as addictological follow-up is reinforced. Thus, the question should not be whether LT should be offered to patients with ARLD but how to select patients who will benefit from this treatment.
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Key Words
- AH, alcohol-related hepatitis
- ARLD, Alcohol-related liver disease
- AUDIT, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
- CLD, chronic liver disease
- ELTR, European Liver Transplant Registry
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCV, hepatitis C virus
- LT, liver transplantation
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- NIAAA, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- UNOS, United Network for Organ Sharing
- alcohol
- alcohol-related hepatitis
- alcohol-related liver disease
- liver transplantation
- survival
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Carolle Ntandja Wandji
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Massih Ningarhari
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Guillaume Lassailly
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Sébastien Dharancy
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Emmanuel Boleslawski
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Philippe Mathurin
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
| | - Alexandre Louvet
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, F-59000 France
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Adekunle AD, Adejumo A, Singal AK. Therapeutic targets in alcohol-associated liver disease: progress and challenges. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2023; 16:17562848231170946. [PMID: 37187673 PMCID: PMC10176580 DOI: 10.1177/17562848231170946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a complex disease with rapidly increasing prevalence. Although there are promising therapeutic targets on the horizon, none of the newer targets is currently close to an Food and Drug Administration approval. Strategies are needed to overcome challenges in study designs and conducting clinical trials and provide impetus to the field of drug development in the landscape of ALD and alcoholic hepatitis. Management of ALD is complex and should include therapies to achieve and maintain alcohol abstinence, preferably delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Although associated with clear mortality benefit in select patients, the use of early liver transplantation still requires refinement to create uniformity in selection protocols across transplant centers. There is also a need for reliable noninvasive biomarkers for prognostication. Last but not the least, strategies are urgently needed to implement integrated multidisciplinary care models for treating the dual pathology of alcohol use disorder and of liver disease for improving the long-term outcomes of patients with ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayooluwatomiwa Deborah Adekunle
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Luke’s
Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
- Division of Hepatology, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Hepatology, University
of South Dakota Sanford Medical School, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Adeyinka Adejumo
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Luke’s
Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
- Division of Hepatology, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Hepatology, University
of South Dakota Sanford Medical School, Sioux Falls, SD
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9
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Goel A, Kwong A. CAQ Corner: Disease recurrence after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2022:1. [PMID: 37160054 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Goel
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Allison Kwong
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
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10
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Zanetto A, Shalaby S, Gambato M, Germani G, Senzolo M, Bizzaro D, Russo FP, Burra P. New Indications for Liver Transplantation. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3867. [PMID: 34501314 PMCID: PMC8432035 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is an important therapeutic option for the treatment of several liver diseases. Modern LT is characterized by remarkable improvements in post-transplant patient survival, graft survival, and quality of life. Thanks to these great improvements, indications for LT are expanding. Nowadays, clinical conditions historically considered exclusion criteria for LT, have been considered new indications for LT, showing survival advantages for patients. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the principal newer indications for LT, with particular attention to alcoholic hepatitis, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.Z.); (S.S.); (M.G.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (D.B.); (F.P.R.)
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11
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Herrick-Reynolds KM, Punchhi G, Greenberg RS, Strauss AT, Boyarsky BJ, Weeks-Groh SR, Krach MR, Anders RA, Gurakar A, Chen PH, Segev DL, King EA, Philosophe B, Ottman SE, Wesson RN, Garonzik-Wang JM, Cameron AM. Evaluation of Early vs Standard Liver Transplant for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease. JAMA Surg 2021; 156:1026-1034. [PMID: 34379106 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.3748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Importance Traditionally, liver transplant (LT) for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) requires 6 months of abstinence. Although early LT before 6 months of abstinence has been associated with decreased mortality for decompensated ALD, this practice remains controversial and concentrated at a few centers. Objective To define patient, allograft, and relapse-free survival in early LT for ALD, and to investigate the association between these survival outcomes and early vs standard LT. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study analyzed all patients with ALD who underwent their first LT at a single academic referral center between October 1, 2012, and November 13, 2020. Patients with known pretransplant hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis B or C, or an alternative cause of liver failure were excluded. Follow-up period was defined as the time from LT to the most recent encounter with a transplant center or death. Exposures The exposure of interest was early LT, which was defined as less than 180 days of pre-LT abstinence. Standard LT was defined as 180 days or more of pre-LT abstinence. Patients were separated into early LT and standard LT by time from abstinence to LT. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes were patient, allograft, relapse-free, and hazardous relapse-free survival for patients who underwent early LT or standard LT. These groups were compared by log-rank testing of Kaplan-Meier estimates. Hazardous relapse was defined as binge, at-risk, or frequent drinking. Abstinence was reassessed at the most recent follow-up visit for all patients. Results Of the 163 patients with ALD included in this study, 88 (54%) underwent early LT and 75 (46%) underwent standard LT. This cohort had a mean (SD) age at transplant of 52 (10) years and was predominantly composed of 108 male patients (66%). Recipients of early LT vs standard LT were younger (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, 49.7 [39.0-54.2] years vs 54.6 [48.7-60.0] years; P < .001) and had a higher median (IQR) Model for End-stage Liver Disease score at listing (35.0 [29.0-39.0] vs 20.0 [13.0-26.0]; P < .001). Both recipients of early LT and standard LT had similar 1-year patient survival (94.1% [95% CI, 86.3%-97.5%] vs 95.9% [95% CI, 87.8%-98.7%]; P = .60), allograft survival (92.7% [95% CI, 84.4%-96.7%] vs 90.5% [95% CI, 81.0%-95.3%]; P = .42), relapse-free survival (80.4% [95% CI, 69.1%-88.0%] vs 83.5% [95% CI, 72.2%-90.6%]; P = .41), and hazardous relapse-free survival (85.8% [95% CI, 75.1%-92.2%] vs 89.6% [95% CI, 79.5%-94.9%]; P = .41). Conclusions and Relevance Adherence to the 6-month rule was not associated with superior patient survival, allograft survival, or relapse-free survival among selected patients. This finding suggests that patients with ALD should not be categorically excluded from LT solely on the basis of 6 months of abstinence, but rather alternative selection criteria should be identified that are based on need and posttransplant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh M Herrick-Reynolds
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gopika Punchhi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ross S Greenberg
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexandra T Strauss
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brian J Boyarsky
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sharon R Weeks-Groh
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michelle R Krach
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert A Anders
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Po-Hung Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth A King
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Benjamin Philosophe
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shane E Ottman
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Russell N Wesson
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Andrew M Cameron
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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12
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García-Alanís M, Toapanta-Yanchapaxi L, Vilatobá M, Cruz-Martínez R, Contreras AG, López-Yáñez S, Flores-García N, Marquéz-Guillén E, García-Juárez I. Psychosocial evaluation for liver transplantation: A brief guide for gastroenterologists. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA DE MEXICO (ENGLISH) 2021; 86:172-187. [PMID: 33771379 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liver transplantation is a lifesaving treatment that improves survival and quality of life. The procedure requires adequate transplant candidate selection carried out by a multidisciplinary team. Psychosocial evaluation is a necessary part of recipient selection and its primary aims are to identify problems and psychosocial needs of the patient and his/her family, to improve transplantation outcomes. Different psychosocial conditions are considered risk factors for morbidity and mortality after transplantation. The presence of those factors per se is not an absolute contraindication, thus adequate evaluation promotes equal access to healthcare, improves results, and optimizes resources. The present review provides an overview of and guidelines for the most important psychosocial issues during the pretransplantation phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- M García-Alanís
- Departamento de Neurología y Psiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México.
| | - L Toapanta-Yanchapaxi
- Departamento de Neurología y Psiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - M Vilatobá
- Departamento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - R Cruz-Martínez
- Departamento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - A G Contreras
- Departamento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - S López-Yáñez
- Departamento de Trabajo Social, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - N Flores-García
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - E Marquéz-Guillén
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
| | - I García-Juárez
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CDMX, México
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13
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García-Alanís M, Toapanta-Yanchapaxi L, Vilatobá M, Cruz-Martínez R, Contreras A, López-Yáñez S, Flores-García N, Marquéz-Guillén E, García-Juárez I. Psychosocial evaluation for liver transplantation: A brief guide for gastroenterologists. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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14
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Chung HG, Sinn DH, Kang W, Choi GS, Kim JM, Joh JW. Incidence of and Risk Factors for Alcohol Relapse After Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease: Comparison Between Deceased Donor and Living Donor Liver Transplantation. J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 25:672-680. [PMID: 32095927 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-020-04540-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are controversies over whether patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) should follow the "6-month abstinence rule" before undergoing liver transplantation (LT), especially in case of living donor LT (LDLT). We analyzed the risk of alcohol relapse among ALD patients who received LT according to donor types and abstinence period before LT. METHODS A total of 129 patients (mean 50.7 ± 9.2 years, male 78.3%) who underwent LT between January 2000 and July 2017 for ALD at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, were analyzed. Alcohol relapse was defined as any use of alcohol after LT. RESULTS The alcohol relapse rate was lower in LDLT recipients compared with that in DDLT recipients (13.9% vs. 31.7% at 3 years, P = 0.013). DDLT recipient, short abstinence period (< 6 months), and current smoking status were factors associated with alcohol relapse. The alcohol relapse rate was highest (54.5% at 3 years) for current smokers without 6-month sobriety who received DDLT, and it was lowest for never/ex-smoker with 6-month sobriety who received LDLT (4.3% at 3 years). For LDLT recipients, the alcohol relapse rate was not different according to abstinence period (17.7% vs. 11.6% at 3 years for short abstinent period < 3 months vs. ≥ 3 months, P = 0.92), but it was higher for current smokers compared with that for non/ex-smokers (22.4% vs. 5.8% at 3 years, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION When considering LDLT for ALD, sobriety period may not be an absolute contraindication as abstinence period showed a weak association with alcohol relapse. Smokers need careful attention for alcohol relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Gyo Chung
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sinn
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
| | - Wonseok Kang
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Gyu-Seong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
| | - Jong Man Kim
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Jae-Won Joh
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
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15
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Alcohol Recidivism Following Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement: Frequency and Predictive Factors. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2021; 44:758-765. [PMID: 33415418 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-020-02754-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the frequency and predictive factors for alcohol recidivism following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placed in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. METHODS One hundred ninety-nine patients who had a TIPS placed at a single institution for different indications in the setting of alcoholic cirrhosis were reviewed. Length of sobriety prior to TIPS placement and maintained sobriety at 1, 3 and 6-12 months after TIPS placement were recorded. Smoking history, substance abuse and psychiatric comorbidities were also recorded as was ascitic response to TIPS at 1, 3 and 6-12 months. RESULTS At 1 month 11/199 (5.5%) patients had experienced a relapse while, 20/199 (10.1%) had at 3 months, and 44/199 (22.1%) had at 12 months. There was no difference in ascitic response in those who did and did not relapse at 1 month (p = 0.57), 3 months (p = 1.00) or 1 year (p = 0.44). The mean time of sobriety at the time of TIPS placement for those who relapsed by 12 months was significantly less than those who did not relapse (5.11 (1.10-7.90) months vs 18.32 (8.63-48.12) months, p < 0.001). Concurrent psychiatric comorbidity (p < 0.001), substance abuse (p < 0.001), age less than 40 (p = 0.004) and smoking history at the time of procedure (p < 0.001) were also associated with alcohol relapse. CONCLUSION Recidivism is a frequent issue for patients following TIPS placement; those who have concurrent psychiatric comorbidity, substance abuse, smoking history are younger than 40 and shorter sobriety duration prior to TIPS may be at increased risk.
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16
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Burra P, Bizzaro D, Forza G, Feltrin A, Volpe B, Ronzan A, Feltrin G, Carretta G, D'Amico F, Cillo U, Germani G. Severe acute alcoholic hepatitis: can we offer early liver transplantation? Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2020; 67:23-25. [PMID: 33140622 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.20.02778-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-related liver disease is one of the most prevalent liver diseases worldwide and is the second most common indication for liver transplantation. Most transplant programs require 6 months of abstinence prior to transplantation; commonly referred to as the "six-month rule." According to this rule, the patients admitted for severe acute alcoholic hepatitis are not eligible for liver transplantation in most transplant centers. However, there is increasing evidence that if liver transplantation is performed in selected patients after the first episode of severe decompensation with no response to steroid therapy, it represents an effective treatment. In such selected patients, the post-transplant outcomes are good with survival rates that are significantly higher when compared with patients not responding to medical therapy and not transplanted. A multidisciplinary assessment, involving several stakeholders such as a transplant hepatologist, transplant surgeon, psychologist and psychiatrist is becoming mandatory to properly evaluate the candidate to liver transplantation for alcoholic liver diseases and severe acute alcoholic hepatitis. In the clinical setting of severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, further studies are needed for the identification of accepted selection clinical and psychosocial criteria that can provide the best long-term results. The early liver transplantation option should therefore be explored within strict criteria for this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Burra
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy -
| | - Debora Bizzaro
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Forza
- Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Ronzan
- Unit of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Carretta
- Department of Directional Hospital Management, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Amico
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giacomo Germani
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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17
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Increase in Alcoholic Hepatitis as an Etiology for Liver Transplantation in the United States: A 2004-2018 Analysis. Transplant Direct 2020; 6:e612. [PMID: 33134488 PMCID: PMC7546885 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Changing opinions on the alcohol abstinence requirement have led to increased liver transplantation (LT) for alcoholic hepatitis (AH). We aimed to determine the trend in LT for AH in the United States and overall and graft survival rates. Methods. Adult liver-alone and liver-kidney registrations added to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network waiting list between 2004 and 2018 were divided into 3 periods (2004–2009, 2010–2013, 2014–2018). Kaplan-Meier survival models illustrated patient and graft survival. Results. Between 2004 and 2018, 529 AH patients were registered for and 254 received LT. By periods, 116, 73, and 340 patients were registered for and 49, 17, and 188 patients received LT, respectively, indicating a increase in LT for AH from 2014 to 2018. Yearly registrants from 2014 to 2018 were 32, 47, 51, 70, and 140, and recipients were 16, 24, 24, 38, and 88, respectively, indicating increases of 338% and 450% in registrants and recipients, respectively, since 2014. AH patients had the highest 1- and 3-year posttransplant survival (93.2% and 87.3%, respectively) and graft survival (90.4% and 84.8%, respectively) comparing to other LT recipients. Conclusions. LT for AH in the United States is at an all-time high with an increased overall patient and graft survival.
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18
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Marot A, Moreno C, Deltenre P. Liver transplant for alcoholic hepatitis: a current clinical overview. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:591-600. [PMID: 32511039 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1775579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current management of severe alcoholic hepatitis is based on corticosteroid therapy and abstinence from alcohol. As liver transplantation is lifesaving in alcoholic hepatitis patients at high risk of early death, refractory alcoholic hepatitis has become a new indication for liver transplantation in highly selected non-responders to corticosteroids. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the conditions under which liver transplantation may be considered, the available data on liver transplantation for refractory alcoholic hepatitis and explores the ethical considerations surrounding the use of liver transplantation in these patients. EXPERT OPINION Selection of candidates should be made according to available scientific results on post-liver transplantation outcomes and the risk of alcohol relapse. Currently, a strict selection process based on a good psychosocial profile, including social stability, no previous treatments for alcohol dependence, no current drug use, and no co-existing severe mental disorder, seems to be the best way to manage these issues. Well-defined selection criteria for candidate selection and accurate tools to predict alcohol relapse after liver transplantation are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Marot
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology CHU UCL Namur, Université Catholique De Louvain , Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Christophe Moreno
- Department of Gastroenterology Hepatopancreatology, and Digestive Oncology, C.U.B. Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre De Bruxelles , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Deltenre
- Department of Gastroenterology Hepatopancreatology, and Digestive Oncology, C.U.B. Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre De Bruxelles , Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinique St Luc , Bouge, Belgium
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19
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Shipley LC, Singal AK. Liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:26. [PMID: 32258530 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2019.11.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is associated with a high short-term mortality. Currently, most transplant centers require minimum six months of abstinence from alcohol use before considering liver transplant for patients with end stage liver disease. Some recent data are emerging on the benefits and safety of early liver transplantation for patients with severe AH, a population who cannot meet the minimum six months sobriety. This article reviews the current status, benefits, challenges, barriers, and future prospects on early liver transplantation in patients with severe, acute AH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey C Shipley
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of South Dakota, Avera McKennan University Health Center and Transplant Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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20
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Ayyala-Somayajula D, Han H, Terrault NA. Selective use of liver transplantation for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:175-184. [PMID: 32077333 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1733414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH) portends high morbidity and mortality and there are no effective therapies for those ineligible or unresponsive to corticosteroids. Early liver transplantation (LT) defined as transplantation without a mandated period of sobriety, for sAH, is being increasingly considered as a rescue therapy.Areas covered: PubMed and manual searches were combined and last performed on 28 October 2019. Key search terms were 'alcoholic hepatitis', 'abstinence', 'alcohol relapse', and 'liver transplantation'. Terms were combined within each database. General reviews and references from published trials were also used.Expert opinion: Early LT is indicated in highly selected patients with sAH. While long-term data are sparse, 1 and 3-year survival post-transplantation are excellent and comparable to other liver diseases. Alcohol relapse is uncommon but approaches 10-25% at 3 years and if use is heavy and/or sustained leads to reduced survival. Thus, for continued application of transplantation for this indication, there is a need to further refine selection criteria and to optimize management of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the transplant setting. Integral to advancing these objectives is the elimination of societal stigmatization and an acknowledgment that AUD is a medical condition that requires long-term management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyosun Han
- Department of Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norah A Terrault
- Department of Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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21
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Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis is the severest clinical presentation of alcoholic liver disease. Lacking an effective pharmacologic treatment, alcoholic hepatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and its recovery relies mostly on abstinence. With alcohol use disorder being universally on the rise, the impact of alcoholic hepatitis on society and health-care costs is expected to increase significantly. Prognostic factors and liver biopsy can help with timely diagnosis, to determine eligibility and response to corticosteroids, and for prognostication and transplant referral. Although recent discoveries in the pathophysiology of alcoholic hepatitis are encouraging and could pave the way for novel treatment modalities, a multidisciplinary approach considering timely identification and treatment of liver-related complications, infectious and metabolic disease, malnutrition, and addiction counseling should be emphasized. Apart from proper selection of candidates, transplant programs should provide adequate post-transplant addiction support in order to make of early liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis the ultimate sobering experience in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Rachakonda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Starzl Transplantation Institute, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Starzl Transplantation Institute, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Andres Duarte-Rojo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Starzl Transplantation Institute, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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22
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Asrani SK, Trotter J, Lake J, Ahmad A, Bonagura A, Cameron A, DiMartini A, Gonzalez S, Im G, Martin P, Mathurin P, Mellinger J, Rice JP, Shah V, Terrault N, Wall A, Winder S, Klintmalm G. Meeting Report: The Dallas Consensus Conference on Liver Transplantation for Alcohol Associated Hepatitis. Liver Transpl 2020; 26:127-140. [PMID: 31743578 PMCID: PMC8151800 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol associated hepatitis (AH) remains controversial. We convened a consensus conference to examine various aspects of LT for AH. The goal was not to unequivocally endorse LT for AH; instead, it was to propose recommendations for programs that perform or plan to perform LT for AH. Criteria were established to determine candidacy for LT in the setting of AH and included the following: (1) AH patients presenting for the first time with decompensated liver disease that are nonresponders to medical therapy without severe medical or psychiatric comorbidities; (2) a fixed period of abstinence prior to transplantation is not required; and (3) assessment with a multidisciplinary psychosocial team, including a social worker and an addiction specialist/mental health professional with addiction and transplantation expertise. Supporting factors included lack of repeated unsuccessful attempts at addiction rehabilitation, lack of other substance use/dependency, acceptance of diagnosis/insight with a commitment of the patient/family to sobriety, and formalized agreement to adhere to total alcohol abstinence and counseling. LT should be avoided in AH patients who are likely to spontaneously recover. Short-term and longterm survival comparable to other indications for LT must be achieved. There should not be further disparity in LT either by indication, geography, or other sociodemographic factors. Treatment of alcohol-use disorders should be incorporated into pre- and post-LT care. The restrictive and focused evaluation process described in the initial LT experience for AH worldwide may not endure as this indication gains wider acceptance at more LT programs. Transparency in the selection process is crucial and requires the collection of objective data to assess outcomes and minimize center variation in listing. Oversight of program adherence is important to harmonize listing practices and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet K Asrani
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas,Corresponding author: Sumeet K Asrani MD MSc, Associate Professor of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas Texas, , Tele: 214 820 8500, Fax: 214 820 0993
| | | | - Jack Lake
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Martin
- University of Miami health system, Miami, Florida
| | - Philippe Mathurin
- Service d’Hépato-gastroentérologie, Hôpital Claude Huriez, Lille, France
| | | | | | | | - Norah Terrault
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anji Wall
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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23
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Notini L, Vasileva D, Orchanian-Cheff A, Buchman DZ. Ethical issues associated with solid organ transplantation and substance use: a scoping review. Monash Bioeth Rev 2019; 37:111-135. [PMID: 31749129 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-019-00100-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
While solid organ transplantation for patients with substance use issues has attracted ethical discussion, a typology of the ethics themes has not been articulated in the literature. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature on solid organ transplantation and substance use published between January 1997 and April 2016. We aimed to identify and develop a typology of the main ethical themes discussed in this literature and to identify gaps worthy of future research. Seventy articles met inclusion criteria and underwent inductive content analysis. Four main ethical themes were identified: (1) personal responsibility; (2) utility; (3) moral character; and (4) fairness. Each theme had multiple sub-themes and there was substantial overlap between themes. This scoping review identified a disproportionate emphasis in the literature regarding personal responsibility, which was referenced by each of the other themes, and a narrow focus on alcohol and liver. We recommend future research further investigate these connections between ethical themes and focus on ethical issues associated with transplants from organ groups other than liver for patients who use substances other than alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Notini
- Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Suite 754, Toronto, ON, M5T 1P8, Canada
- Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | | | - Ani Orchanian-Cheff
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Z Buchman
- Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Suite 754, Toronto, ON, M5T 1P8, Canada.
- Bioethics Department, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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24
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Safhi MA, Alzahrani M, Altahini KW, Kilfaden A, Bagber AA, Algethami MR, Jamal W, Rizk H. The Perception of Medical Students at King Abdulaziz University Hospital Regarding the Liver Transplant Allocation System. Cureus 2019; 11:e6187. [PMID: 31886086 PMCID: PMC6921995 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The benefit of liver transplantation is not only to increase the patient’s lifetime but also for persistent relief of pain and anxiety. Shortage of the organ is the main hindrance of transplantation around the world, leading authorities to pass a general law for the reasonable distribution of organs and come up with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) system which scores the severity of liver disease and risk of mortality in order to detect the mechanism of allocation. Objective: This study aims to assess medical students’ perception of the liver transplant and allocation system. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 402 medical students at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: The majority of the medical students (84.4%) believed that a successful liver transplant improves both lifetime and quality of life. Most of the students also saw that the minimum survival rate should be five years after transplantation and that the patient should recover to be at least ambulatory, even if restricted by strenuous physical activity. When asked whether urgency or prospect of success defined a successful transplant, most of the students who chose urgency were preclinical (50.7%), while the prospect of success was the dominant answer chosen by students in their clinical years of study (66.1%). Conclusion: The criteria determining the success of a liver transplant include a gain in both lifetime and quality of life. The majority of respondents wanted the capacity to benefit to be considered in the liver allocation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Safhi
- Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Mohammed Alzahrani
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Khaled W Altahini
- Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Wisam Jamal
- General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Hisham Rizk
- General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU
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25
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Singal AK, Kamath PS. Acute on chronic liver failure in non-alcoholic fatty liver and alcohol associated liver disease. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:74. [PMID: 31728431 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2019.09.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) presents acutely with multiple organ failure and is precipitated by an acute event. The syndrome has high short-term mortality with a potential of returning to baseline liver function if the precipitating event is controlled and patient/s survive the acute event. With heterogeneous definition across the globe of this syndrome, there is a clinical unmet need to homogenize this definition as basis for developing pathogenesis targets, collaboration across countries and centers, and identifying new therapeutic targets. Although, the syndrome can occur in any chronic liver disease with or without cirrhosis, the increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol associated liver disease (AALD) all across the world, this review will discuss specific issues regarding ACLF among patients with chronic liver disease from NAFLD and ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Transplant Hepatology, Avera Transplant Institute, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, USA
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26
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Chuncharunee L, Yamashiki N, Thakkinstian A, Sobhonslidsuk A. Alcohol relapse and its predictors after liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol 2019; 19:150. [PMID: 31438857 PMCID: PMC6704694 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-019-1050-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of liver transplantation (LT). The magnitude and risk factors of post-LT alcohol relapse are not well described. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate alcohol relapse rate and its predictors after LT. METHODS Searches of MEDLINE and SCOPUS identified eligible published studies of alcohol relapse after LT published up to 31 March 2018. Alcohol relapse was defined as any alcohol consumption post-LT, and heavy alcohol relapse was defined as a relapse of alcohol consumption that was associated with a significant harm. Data for the proportion of alcohol relapse was pooled using a meta-analysis for pooling proportion. An odds ratio (OR) of the predictor of alcohol relapse was extracted and pooled using meta-analysis for the pooling risk factor. Data were analyzed using a random effect model if heterogeneity was presented; otherwise, a fixed effect model was applied. The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42017052659). RESULTS Ninety-two studies with over 8000 cases were recruited for pooling proportion of alcohol relapse. The alcohol relapse rate and heavy alcohol relapse rate after LT during the mean follow-up time of 48.4 ± 24.7 months were 22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19-25%) and 14% (95%CI: 12-16%). Psychiatric comorbidities (odds ratio (OR) 3.46, 95%CI: 1.87-6.39), pre-transplant abstinence of less than 6 months (OR 2.76, 95%CI: 2.10-3.61), unmarried status (OR 1.84, 95%CI: 1.39-2.43), and smoking (OR 1.72, 95%CI: 1.21-2.46) were associated with alcohol relapse after LT. However, we noticed publication bias of unpublished negative studies and high heterogeneity of results. CONCLUSIONS Post-transplant alcohol relapse occurred in about one-fifth of patients who underwent alcohol-related LT. Psychiatric comorbidities represented the strongest predictor of alcohol relapse. Psychiatric comorbidities monitoring and pre-LT alcohol abstinence for at least 6 months may decrease alcohol relapse after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lancharat Chuncharunee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | | | - Ammarin Thakkinstian
- Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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27
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Shipley LC, Kodali S, Singal AK. Recent updates on alcoholic hepatitis. Dig Liver Dis 2019; 51:761-768. [PMID: 31010745 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2019.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a unique clinical syndrome that affects patients with chronic and active harmful alcohol consumption, and is associated with a high mortality of up to 40% at 1 month from presentation. It is important to assess disease severity and prognosis at time of presentation to identify patients at risk for high mortality and potential candidates for specific therapies. The cornerstone therapy for AH is enteral nutrition and abstinence. Steroids remain the only pharmacological option for severe AH however, adverse effects and lack of long-term benefit limit their routine use. Early liver transplantation is a potential salvage therapy for select severe AH patients. This review article comprehensively covers recent advances on the clinical unmet needs in the field including newer therapies and therapeutic targets, role of liver transplantation, and emerging biomarkers throughout the disease process from diagnosis, assessing prognosis and disease severity, and predicting responsiveness to medical therapies for severe AH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey C Shipley
- University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, United States; Avera Transplant Institute, United States
| | - Sudha Kodali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of South Dakota, Avera McKennan University Health Center and Transplant Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, United States.
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Shen NT, Londono C, Gold S, Wu A, Mages KC, Brown RSJ. Systematic review with meta-analysis on transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease: Very low evidence of improved outcomes. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1628-1639. [PMID: 30983822 PMCID: PMC6452234 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i13.1628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver failure and indication for liver transplantation that arises in the setting of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Previous reviews of transplantation for ALD are limited in scope of outcomes and type of ALD studied. A comprehensive systematic review could improve use of transplantation in ALD and improve future research. We hypothesize that while transplanting ALD may improve mortality and relapse, findings will be limited by pre-specified causes of heterogeneity - assessment and treatment of AUD, definition of ALD, spectrum of ALD studied, assessment and rates of relapse, and study quality and bias. AIM To optimize liver transplantation for ALD, understanding existing research to guide future research, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS We conducted a systematic review, comparing liver transplant to no-transplant in patients with ALD, with a primary outcome of both short- and long-term mortality and relapse. We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases for peer-reviewed journal articles comparing use of liver transplant in ALD to no-transplant. Two reviewers independently conducted screening, full text review, and data extraction according to the PRISMA guidelines. We report the quality of the evidence according to the GRADE criteria. RESULTS We analyzed data from 10 studies. Of 1332 participants, 34.2% (456/1332) had undergone liver transplantation, while 65.8% (876/1332) had not. While random effects meta-analysis suggested transplant in comparison to no-transplant had an association of reduced mortality that did not reach statistical significance, relative risk (RR) = 0.51 (0.25-1.05), but not relapse risk, RR = 0.52 (0.18-1.53), significant heterogeneity limited these findings. When restricted to prospective data, transplant compared to no-transplant significantly reduced mortality, RR = 0.25 (0.13-0.46, P < 0.01), and relapse, RR = 0.25 (0.14-0.45, P < 0.01), with insignificant heterogeneity but persistent small-study effects. The overall quality of the evidence was Very Low. Heterogeneity analysis suggested that AUD assessment and treatment was often not reported while ALD, relapse assessment and rate, and data collection were institutionally rather than standardly defined. CONCLUSION Systematic review of liver transplantation for ALD suggests reduced mortality and relapse in heterogeneous, institution-specific populations with inherent bias. To understand efficacy of transplanting ALD, our research approach must change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole T Shen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Cristina Londono
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Stephanie Gold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Ashley Wu
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Keith C Mages
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Robert S Jr Brown
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, United States
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Davis JP, Reutemann BA, Argo CK. Pro: The Abstinence Period Should Be the Same for All Patients Undergoing Evaluation for Transplant. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2019; 13:82-86. [PMID: 30988943 PMCID: PMC6446445 DOI: 10.1002/cld.747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P. Davis
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Virginia Health SystemCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Bethany A. Reutemann
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Virginia Health SystemCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Curtis K. Argo
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Virginia Health SystemCharlottesvilleVA
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Kahl KG, Eckermann G, Frieling H, Hillemacher T. Psychopharmacology in transplantation medicine. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 88:74-85. [PMID: 30018020 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Organ transplantation has become a well-established treatment option in patients with end-stage organ diseases. Although quality of life has markedly improved, psychiatric disorders before and after transplantation are more frequent compared to the general population. Psychopharmacological treatment is recommended for almost all mental disorders according to current guidelines, but may pose particular problems in organ transplant patients. Changes in the metabolism and elimination of drugs during organ insufficiency, drug interactions, and overlapping side effects between psychopharmacological and immunosuppressive drugs are challenging problems in clinical management. Furthermore, questions frequently arise concerning the use of psychopharmacological treatment options for sleeping and anxiety disorders. This article reviews psychopharmacology in organ transplant patients, with particular attention to frequent psychiatric disorders observed in the disease course of end-stage organ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai G Kahl
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Section Polypharmacy, Working Group on Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry (AGNP), Germany.
| | - Gabriel Eckermann
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Section Polypharmacy, Working Group on Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry (AGNP), Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Hillemacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Nürnberg, Universitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität, Germany
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Dobbels F, Denhaerynck K, Klem ML, Sereika SM, De Geest S, De Simone P, Berben L, Binet I, Burkhalter H, Drent G, Duerinckx N, Engberg SJ, Glass T, Gordon E, Kirsch M, Kugler C, Lerret S, Rossmeissl A, Russell C, Schmidt-Trucksäss A, de Almeida SS. Correlates and outcomes of alcohol use after single solid organ transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2019; 33:17-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Beresford TP, Lucey MR. Towards Standardizing the Alcoholism Evaluation Of Potential Liver Transplant Recipients. Alcohol Alcohol 2018; 53:135-144. [PMID: 29211831 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agx104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims For teams around the world, alcoholic liver disease patients comprise the largest, and clinically most controversial, group applying for liver transplant. And yet evaluation decisions for them remain highly variable by locale. Methods Targeting standardized assessment, we provide guidelines on what information the transplant team should seek, from what sources, and how best to make use of it. This report focuses on 'what to do and how to do it' in providing appropriate assessments for this complex patient group. Results Proper evaluation includes (a) taking the clinical history from the patient and a required, corroborating third person, (b) assessing patient cognition, (c) establishing alcohol/substance use diagnosis to differentiate alcohol dependence, abuse and polysubstance dependence, (d) assessing ambivalence in primary alcohol addiction, (e) measuring social stability and (f) using Vaillant's factors for abstinence prognosis. Conclusions Properly applied, these six factors will allow standardized selection in most cases taken across programs despite differences in resources, available expertise and decision practices. Short Summary This report focuses on the essentials of the psychiatric/behavioral evaluation for 'alcoholic' persons referred for liver transplant. Attention to those essentials offers clinical standardization across transplant programs in different locales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Beresford
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, (116), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220-0116, USA
| | - Michael R Lucey
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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33
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Singal AK, Louvet A, Shah VH, Kamath PS. Grand Rounds: Alcoholic Hepatitis. J Hepatol 2018; 69:534-543. [PMID: 29753761 PMCID: PMC6258018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A 33-year-old Caucasian male was admitted to hospital with recent onset of jaundice of 2-3 weeks duration. He reported heavy use of alcohol for the last 10 years with the last drink a day prior to the onset of symptoms. At admission, he was alert and oriented to time, place, and person, and was deeply jaundiced. His laboratory profile can be summarised as follows: haemoglobin 12.1 g/dl, white blood cell count 18,700 with 81% neutrophils, serum bilirubin 33 (direct 22) mg/dl, aspartate aminotransferase 147 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 62 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 117 IU/L, serum albumin 2.8 gm/dl, serum creatinine 0.6 mg/dl, prothrombin time 18.3 (control 14.5) seconds, and international normalized ratio 1.48. He was diagnosed with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey discriminant function score of 50) and treated with prednisolone for 28 days with symptomatic and biochemical improvement. His Lille score at seven days was 0.4, and his serum bilirubin had decreased to 3.5 mg/dl at the end of treatment. He was also seen by the addiction team during hospitalisation; he agreed to follow through on recommendations. He was dismissed after completing a three-week inpatient rehabilitation programme but relapsed to alcohol use three months later, and was readmitted with alcohol withdrawal. He was readmitted two months later (about six months from the first episode) for a second episode of severe alcoholic hepatitis. At admission, his model for end-stage liver disease score was 32 and he was treated again with corticosteroids. His Lille score at seven days was 0.6 and steroids were discontinued. The hospital course was complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia with development of acute kidney injury. He continued to worsen, developing multiorgan failure. After a course of one month, the family's preference was for him to receive comfort measures. This scenario raises several questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K. Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. USA,Corresponding author. Address 1808 7th Ave S, BDB 351, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Tel.: +1 205 934 5623; fax: +1 205 975 0961. (A.K. Singal)
| | - Alexandre Louvet
- Service des maladies de l’appareil digestif, Hôpital Huriez, Rue Polonowski, 59037 Lille cedex, France,Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Patrick S. Kamath
- Division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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34
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Wigg AJ, Mangira D, Chen JW, Woodman RW. Outcomes and predictors of harmful relapse following liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease in an Australian population. Intern Med J 2018; 47:656-663. [PMID: 28321963 DOI: 10.1111/imj.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited studies of patient survival and alcoholic relapse following transplantation for alcoholic liver disease have been described in Australian populations. AIM To describe these outcomes in an Australian population, to determine the association between harmful alcoholic relapse and patient survival, and to examine pre-transplant variables associated with harmful relapse. METHODS Single centre, retrospective review of consecutive patients transplanted at the South Australian Liver Transplant Unit. Relapse was identified by an independent investigator using case note review and confidential patient questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 87 patients (median age 52 years, 84% male, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 18) was included in the study with a median follow-up time of 50 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival of patients was 93.1, 87.4 and 82.0% respectively. Two deaths were directly attributable to graft failure due to alcohol. Fourteen (16%) patients fulfilled criteria for harmful relapse and 18 (21%) patients experienced any form of relapse to alcohol. Harmful relapse was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-9.7, P = 0.041). Only two factors were independently associated with harmful relapse on multivariate analysis; prior alcohol rehabilitation (HR 8.4, 95% CI 2.5-28.4, P = 0.001) and single versus married status (HR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-1.2, P = 0.019). CONCLUSION Good patient survival outcomes were seen for this South Australian population. Harmful alcohol relapse occurs in a minority of patients and rarely results in direct graft loss. Modifiable pre-transplant factors that predict harmful relapse were not identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Wigg
- South Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dileep Mangira
- South Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John W Chen
- South Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Richard W Woodman
- School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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35
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Burra P, Zanetto A, Germani G. Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E46. [PMID: 29425151 PMCID: PMC5836078 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10020046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the main important causes of cancer-related death and its mortality is increasingly worldwide. In Europe, alcohol abuse accounts for approximately half of all liver cancer cases and it will become the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in the next future with the sharp decline of chronic viral hepatitis. The pathophysiology of alcohol-induced carcinogenesis involves acetaldehyde catabolism, oxidative stress and chronic liver inflammation. Genetic background plays also a significant role and specific patterns of gene mutations in alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma have been characterized. Survival is higher in patients who undergo specific surveillance programmes than in patients who do not. However, patients with alcohol cirrhosis present a significantly greater risk of liver decompensation than those with cirrhosis due to other aetiologies. Furthermore, the adherence to screening program can be suboptimal. Liver transplant for patients with Milan-in hepatocellular carcinoma represents the best possible treatment in case of tumour recurrence/progression despite loco-regional or surgical treatments. Long-term result after liver transplantation for alcohol related liver disease is good. However, cardiovascular disease and de novo malignancies can significantly hamper patients' survival and should be carefully considered by transplant team. In this review, we have focused on the evolution of alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma epidemiology and risk factors as well as on liver transplantation in alcoholic patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy.
| | - Alberto Zanetto
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Germani
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy.
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36
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Singal AK, Bataller R, Ahn J, Kamath PS, Shah VH. ACG Clinical Guideline: Alcoholic Liver Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2018; 113:175-194. [PMID: 29336434 PMCID: PMC6524956 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2017.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 550] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) comprises a clinical-histologic spectrum including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis (AH), and cirrhosis with its complications. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages and data on the prevalence and profile of patients with early disease are limited. Diagnosis of ALD requires documentation of chronic heavy alcohol use and exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Prolonged abstinence is the most effective strategy to prevent disease progression. AH presents with rapid onset or worsening of jaundice, and in severe cases may transition to acute on chronic liver failure when the risk for mortality, depending on the number of extra-hepatic organ failures, may be as high as 20-50% at 1 month. Corticosteroids provide short-term survival benefit in about half of treated patients with severe AH and long-term mortality is related to severity of underlying liver disease and is dependent on abstinence from alcohol. General measures in patients hospitalized with ALD include inpatient management of liver disease complications, management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, surveillance for infections and early effective antibiotic therapy, nutritional supplementation, and treatment of the underlying alcohol-use disorder. Liver transplantation, a definitive treatment option in patients with advanced alcoholic cirrhosis, may also be considered in selected patients with AH cases, who do not respond to medical therapy. There is a clinical unmet need to develop more effective and safer therapies for patients with ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K. Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine , Birmingham , Alabama , USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Liver Research Center , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Joseph Ahn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland , Oregon , USA
| | - Patrick S. Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester , Minnesota ,USA
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester , Minnesota ,USA
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Daswani R, Kumar A, Sharma P, Singla V, Bansal N, Arora A. Role of liver transplantation in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2018; 24:43-50. [PMID: 29316778 PMCID: PMC5875200 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2017.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe alcoholic hepatitis has very high short term mortality and corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for decades. Patients with Lille score >0.45 are considered non-responders to steroids and have poor outcome. Recently Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) is being increasingly used as rescue treatment for these patients, without waiting for 6 months of abstinence. Liver transplant is the only rescue treatment which can potentially provide long term benefit for patients who are steroid non-responders. However, with scarcity of organs being a concern, all patients of severe alcoholic hepatitis cannot be chosen for transplantation in an arbitrary way. There is a need for development of predictive tools and objective protocols to select patients who can justify the use of precious liver grafts. With a stringent criteria for selection of patients receiving the graft, liver transplantation in severe alcoholic hepatitis can become a viable rescue therapeutic option conferring significant survival advantage of both short- and long-term basis. The optimal criteria for selection will also prevent misuse of the liver donor pool as well as to prevent mortality in salvageable patients. Further research needs to be done to identify subset of patients which are at low risk of recidivism and also cannot be managed with pharmacotherapy alone. We reviewed the current knowledge on role of OLT in patient with acute severe alcoholic hepatitis in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Daswani
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Singla
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Naresh Bansal
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anil Arora
- Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, & Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Kodali S, Kaif M, Tariq R, Singal AK. Alcohol Relapse After Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Cirrhosis—Impact on Liver Graft and Patient Survival: A Meta-analysis. Alcohol Alcohol 2017; 53:166-172. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agx098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Kodali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA
| | - Mohamed Kaif
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA
| | - Raseen Tariq
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA
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Burra P, Belli LS, Ginanni Corradini S, Volpes R, Marzioni M, Giannini E, Toniutto P. Common issues in the management of patients in the waiting list and after liver transplantation. Dig Liver Dis 2017; 49:241-253. [PMID: 28096056 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2016.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The present document contains the recommendations of an expert panel of transplant hepatologists, appointed by the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF), on how to manage the most common aspects of liver transplantation: the topics covered include: new treatments for HCV in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation; antiviral treatments in patients with HCV recurrence after liver transplantation; prophylaxis for HBV recurrence after liver transplantation; indications for liver transplantation in alcoholic liver disease; and Immunosuppressive therapy. The statements on each topic were approved by participants at the AISF Transplant Hepatologist Expert Meeting (organized by the Permanent Committee on Liver Transplantation in Mondello on 4-5 October 2015), and are graded according to the Oxford classification of levels of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, Italy.
| | | | | | - Riccardo Volpes
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, ISMETT-IRCCS, Palermo, Italy
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41
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Singal AK, Kamath PS. Live donor liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis. Hepatol Int 2016; 11:34-37. [PMID: 27714680 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-016-9770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Liver transplantation is a definitive therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease and cirrhosis, with improvement in survival and quality of life. Patients are carefully screened and selected for this modality of treatment to achieve maximum survival benefit. For example, a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma is a candidate if he or she is within Milan criteria and has no significant comorbidity. Similarly, patients with alcoholic cirrhosis are transplant candidates if they are deemed to have been rehabilitated from abusive alcohol consumption and are at low risk for recidivism. More recently, carefully selected patients with alcoholic hepatitis have been successfully transplanted. The preferred transplantation modality is cadaveric liver transplantation. However, living donor liver transplantation is carried out if there is no cadaveric liver organ allocation system, or if the patient is deemed to be at low priority for cadaveric organ transplantation based on the allocation system. Living donor liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis needs to be addressed with this background in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0012, USA.
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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42
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Eftekar M, Pun P. Psychiatric risk factors predicting post-liver transplant physical and psychiatric complications: a literature review. Australas Psychiatry 2016; 24:385-92. [PMID: 26879076 DOI: 10.1177/1039856215627400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The psychiatric assessment of potential liver transplant recipients is becoming increasingly common in clinical practice. In such assessments, the psychiatrist is invited by the transplant team to assess the patient prior to the patient receiving a transplant liver to identify factors that could predict an unsuccessful post-transplant course, whether this is from a psychiatric or physical perspective. This review examined published research from 2000 to 2014 on psychological risk factors predicting post-transplant physical and psychiatric complications. CONCLUSIONS Based on the strength of the evidence available, our review identified four risk factors: mood disorders; social supports; substance misuse; and alcohol dependence. These factors could potentially provide a framework to guide the evaluation and prediction of psychological and physical complications post-liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdod Eftekar
- Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Department, Princess Alexandra hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul Pun
- Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Department, Princess Alexandra hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
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Singal AK, Kodali S, Vucovich LA, Darley-Usmar V, Schiano TD. Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Systematic Review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1390-402. [PMID: 27254289 PMCID: PMC4930399 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) occurs in about one-third of individuals reporting long-term heavy alcohol use. It is associated with high short-term mortality, economic burden, and hospital resources utilization. We performed this systematic review to (i) describe clinical characteristics and genomics associated with the risk of AH; (ii) discuss role and limitations of liver biopsy and prognostic scoring systems; (iii) summarize evidence regarding the currently available therapies including liver transplantation; and (iv) outline emerging therapies with areas of unmet need. Literature search was performed for studies published in English language (January 1971 through March 2016). The following search engines were used: PubMed, Elsevier Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. For the treatment section, only randomized controlled studies were included for this review. A total of 138 studies (59 randomized, 22 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 7 surveys or guidelines, 7 population-based, and 43 prospective cohorts) were cited. There are over 325,000 annual admissions with AH contributing to about 0.8% of all hospitalizations in the United States. Liver biopsy may be required in about 25 to 30% cases for uncertain clinical diagnosis. Corticosteroids with or without N-acetylcysteine remains the only available therapy for severe episodes. Data are emerging on the role of liver transplantation as salvage therapy for select patients. Abstinence remains the most important factor impacting long-term prognosis. Results from the ongoing clinical trials within the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-funded consortia are awaited for more effective and safer therapies. AH is a potentially lethal condition with a significant short-term mortality. A high index of suspicion is required. There remains an unmet need for noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, and predicting prognosis and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sudha Kodali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lee A Vucovich
- UAB Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Victor Darley-Usmar
- Department of Pathology and Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Thomas D Schiano
- Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, New York
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Russ KB, Chen NW, Kamath PS, Shah VH, Kuo YF, Singal AK. Alcohol Use after Liver Transplantation is Independent of Liver Disease Etiology. Alcohol Alcohol 2016; 51:698-701. [PMID: 27267907 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agw032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess alcohol use after liver transplantation (LT) and compare liver transplant recipients for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with recipients for non-ALD causes. METHODS National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases liver transplant database stratified to ALD and non-ALD causes. RESULTS Among 488 LT recipients reporting pre-transplant alcohol use (147 ALD), proportion of LT recipients reporting alcohol use was similar comparing ALD and non-ALD transplants (25.4% vs. 27.2%; P = 0.56). Among ALD transplants, of 31 with alcohol use, 23 (74%) relapsed at ≥2 year, 25 (80%) reported intermittent drinking and 4 (13%) reported heavy drinking. Among Non-ALD recipients, alcohol use was equally distributed to within 2, 2-5 and after 5 years of LT with 82% reporting intermittent drinking and 9% heavy drinking. Patients with pre-transplant drinking of >20 years and abstinence duration of <2 years were over 2.5-fold likely to report post-transplant alcohol use compared to drinking of >20 years and abstinence of >2 years, 2.56 [95% CI: 1.41-4.67]. Etiology (ALD vs. non-ALD) did not predict post-transplant alcohol use. Of 139 ALD patients with follow-up biopsy data, 13 (7 with post-transplant alcohol use) had steatohepatitis. Histology on 319 non-ALD recipients showed recurrent disease in 91, none due to alcohol. Overall survival was similar between drinkers and abstainers (71% vs. 66%; P = 0.35). Recurrent ALD was cause of death in one ALD and none of non-ALD patients. CONCLUSION Alcohol use after LT is independent of LT indication. Patients with non-ALD etiology should be carefully screened for alcohol use prior to LT to identify those at risk for post-LT alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk B Russ
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave S Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Nai-Wei Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochestor, MN 55905, USA
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochestor, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochestor, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 300 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama, 1720 2nd Ave S Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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Vidal-Trécan G, Kone V, Pilette C, Nousbaum JB, Doll J, Buffet C, Eugene C, Podevin P, Boutet O, Puyeo J, Conti F, Calmus Y. Subjective parameters markedly limit the referral of transplantation candidates to liver transplant centres. Liver Int 2016; 36:555-62. [PMID: 26604165 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Equality of access to organ transplantation is a mandatory public health requirement. Referral from a local to a university hospital and then registration on the national waiting list are the two key steps enabling access to liver transplantation (LT). Although the latter procedure is well defined using the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score that improves equality of access, the former is mostly reliant on the practices of referring physicians. The aim of this study was to clarify the factors determining this initial step. METHODS This observational study included consecutive inpatients with cirrhosis of whatever origin in a cohort constituted between 2003 and 2008, using medical records and structured questionnaires concerning patient characteristics and the opinions of hospital clinicians. Candidates for LT were defined in line with these opinions. RESULTS Four hundred and thirty-three patients, mostly affected by alcoholic cirrhosis, were included, 21.0% of whom were considered to be candidates for LT. Factors independently associated with their candidature were: physician empathy [odds ratio (OR) = 10.8; 95% CI: 4.0-29.5], adherence to treatment (OR = 16.6; 95% CI: 3.7-75.2), geographical area (OR = 6.8; 95% CI: 2.2-21.3) and the patient's physiological age (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.7). CONCLUSIONS Several subjective markers restrict the referral of patients from local hospitals to liver transplant centres. Their advancement to this second step is thus markedly weakened by initial subjectivity. The development of objective guidelines for local hospital physicians to assist them with their initial decision-making on LT is now necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Vidal-Trécan
- Public Health Unit: Risk Management and Quality of Care, Paris Centre University Hospital Group, AP-HP, Paris, France.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Research Unit (INSERM U1153) Methods Team, Methods of Therapeutic Evaluation of Chronic Diseases, Research Center Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Victoria Kone
- Public Health Unit: Risk Management and Quality of Care, Paris Centre University Hospital Group, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Jacques Doll
- Hepatogastroenterology Department, CHG de Versailles, Versailles, France
| | - Catherine Buffet
- Hepatogastroenterology Department, CHU Kremlin Bicètre, Kremlin Bicètre, France
| | - Claude Eugene
- Hepatogastroenterology Department, CHG de Poissy, Poissy, France
| | - Philippe Podevin
- Centre de Reference en Addictologie, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Boutet
- Hepatogastroenterology Department, CHG de Bagnoles sur Cèze, Bagnoles sur Cèze, France
| | - Jacques Puyeo
- Hepatogastroenterology Department, CHG de Carcassonne, Carcassonne, France
| | - Filomena Conti
- Centre de Transplantation Hepatique, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Yvon Calmus
- Centre de Transplantation Hepatique, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
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Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease is the second most common indication for orthotopic liver transplantation in western countries. The majority of patients with alcoholic liver disease, however, are not referred for transplant evaluation. If evaluated, a 6 month period of sobriety is required before waitlisting for transplant. The consequences of relapse to alcohol use in patients on the waitlist are usually removal from the list. Therefore, identification and treatment of alcohol use disorder in patients with end-stage liver disease greatly impacts quality of life, treatment options and survival in patients’ course with this grave illness. Psychosocial and behavioral interventions prior to transplant appear to reduce drinking in the period before the surgery as well as reduce relapse rates post-transplant. Only one of the three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, acamprosate, seems feasible for use in patients with end-stage liver disease, while several other medications currently under investigation for the treatment of alcohol use disorder can be considered for use in this population. While only baclofen has been formally studied in alcoholic patients with end-stage liver disease with positive results for safety and efficacy, other medications also hold promise to treat alcohol use disorder in this population. Transplant programs with addictions specialists who function as an integral part of the treatment team may offer better outcomes to patients in terms of success of maintaining sobriety both pre- and post-transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R. Lee
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI,Contact information: Lorenzo Leggio, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, NIAAA & NIDA, NIH, 10 Center Drive (10CRC/15330) MSC 1108; Room 1-5429, Bethesda, MD 20892-1108, Phone: +1 301 435 9398; Fax: + 1 301 402 0445,
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Satapathy SK, Eason JD, Nair S, Dryn O, Sylvestre PB, Kocak M, Vanatta JM. Recidivism in Liver Transplant Recipients With Alcoholic Liver Disease: Analysis of Demographic, Psychosocial, and Histology Features. EXP CLIN TRANSPLANT 2015; 13:430-440. [PMID: 26450466 DOI: 10.6002/ect.2015.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Liver transplant for alcoholic liver disease requires identifying potential recipients at risk for recidivism. We sought to identify risk factors for recidivism and survival in recipients of liver transplant with alcoholic liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Demographic, psychosocial, and histology features were evaluated as risk factors toward harmful recidivism in 148 recipients of liver transplant with alcoholic liver disease. RESULTS Based on the univariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model, duration of alcohol abstinence 6 months (HR 3.74; P = .011, 95% CI: 1.36-10.3), non-alcohol related criminal history (HR 3.18; P = .032, 95% CI: 1.1-9.15), support from immediate family (HR 0.24; P = .0061, 95% CI: 0.09-0.67), and active smoking at the time of liver transplant (HR 2.74; P = .041, 95% CI: 1-7.53) were identified as significant predictors for recidivism. Older patients had less likelihood of alcohol relapse (HR 0.91; P = .0014, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97) on univariate model. In multivariate model older patients (HR 0.91; P = .004, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97) and patients who have immediate family support (HR 0.27; P = .012, 95% CI: 0.10-0.76) predicated against recidivism. Suggestive features of alcoholic hepatitis on liver explant did not predict recidivism or long-term survival. One-, three-, and five-year patient survival rates estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival model in the recipients that remained abstinent were 95%, 87%, and 80%, compared with 87%, 49%, and 49% for the recipients with recidivism (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Recidivism is associated with earlier death after liver transplant. Older recipients and patients with immediate family support are less likely to have alcohol relapse, and have better long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjaya K Satapathy
- Department of Transplantation, Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute/University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Why do liver transplant patients so often become obese? The addiction transfer hypothesis. Med Hypotheses 2015; 85:68-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Tackett AP, Peugh JL, Wu YP, Pai AL. Parent Medication Barriers Scale (PMBS): A preliminary investigation of factor structures with hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2014.979917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis is an acute manifestation of alcoholic liver disease with mortality as high as 40-50% in severe cases. Patients usually have a history of prolonged alcohol abuse with or without a known history of liver disease. Although there is significant range in severity at presentation, patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis typically present with anorexia, fatigue, fever, jaundice, and ascites. The use of either pentoxifylline or corticosteroids in those with severe disease (Maddrey's discriminate function >32) has significant mortality benefit. The addition of N-acetylcysteine to corticosteroids decreases the incidences of hepatorenal syndrome, infection, and short-term mortality, but does not appear to significantly affect 6-month mortality. Nutritional support with high-calorie, high-protein diet is recommended in all patients screening positive for malnutrition. Liver transplantation for a highly selected group of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis may be an option in the future, but is not currently recommended or available at most transplant institutions.
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