Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Liver Transplantation in Alcoholic Patients: Impact of an Alcohol Addiction Unit Within a Liver Transplant Center


Many concerns about liver transplantation in alcoholic patients are related to the risk of alcohol recidivism. Starting from 2002, an Alcohol Addiction Unit (AAU) was formed within the liver transplant center for the management of alcoholic patients affected by end-stage liver disease and included in the waiting list for transplantation. We evaluated retrospectively the impact of the AAU on alcohol recidivism after transplantation. The relationship between alcohol recidivism and the duration of alcohol abstinence before transplant was evaluated as well.
 
Between 1995 and 2010, 92 cirrhotic alcoholic patients underwent liver transplantation. Clinical evaluation and management of alcohol use in these patients was provided by psychiatrists with expertise in addiction medicine not affiliated to the liver transplant center before 2002; group A), or by the clinical staff of the AAU within the liver transplant center starting from 2002 .
 
Group B, as compared with group A, showed a significantly lower prevalence of alcohol recidivism  and a significantly lower mortality  Furthermore, an analysis of group B patients with either greater than 6 or less than 6 months of alcohol abstinence before transplantation showed no difference in the rate of alcohol recidivism. 
 
The presence of an AAU within a liver transplant center reduces the risk of alcohol recidivism after transplantation. A pretransplant abstinence period greater than 6 months might be considered, at least in selected patients managed by an AAU.


Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail:    g.addolorato@rm.unicatt.it