title: Follow-up after liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis: effects on survival, quality of life, and colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Except for primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is now the commonest indication for liver transplantation in Sweden. There are several specific problems related to post-transplantation life in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed a 10-year cohort of 47 patients transplanted at our center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incidental biliary carcinoma was diagnosed in 13%,, with a 2-year survival of only 17%, compared with 70% in the other patients. The 2-year survival has improved considerably (to 82%) in recent years. Quality of life was much or slightly improved in 80%. The colitis was much or slightly improved in 65%, with some deterioration in only 6%. No patient developed colonic carcinoma. Previous biliary tract surgery was identified as a risk factor for a worse 1-year mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver transplantation for PSC is now associated with a high survival rate and an improvement in the quality of life and course of ulcerative colitis. Previous biliary tract surgery is a risk factor for non-survival.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medicine, Sahlgren's University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saldeen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olausson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate