title: Long-term medical and psycho-social evaluation of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.
abstract: The major concern in transplanting patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the high rate of alcohol recidivism. Our aim was to assess the long-term outcome of liver transplantation (OLT) in a group of ALD patients in terms of post-OLT alcohol recidivism and its relationship with pre-OLT psychosocial variables and medical follow up. Fifty-one ALD patients underwent strict medical and psychosocial evaluation before and after OLT. Alcohol abuse was recorded in 60% and alcohol dependence in 40% of patients before OLT. The 5-year survival was similar to the one observed in non-ALD transplanted patients (64 vs 56%). Alcohol recidivism was observed in 33% of transplanted patients, 64% of whom were occasional and 36% were heavy drinkers. The admission of alcoholism by the patient and his/her family prior to OLT significantly predicted abstinence after OLT. A multidisciplinary approach evaluating medical and psycho-social variables before OLT and a close follow up after OLT are mandatory for ALD patients.
authors: Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Padua, Italy. burra@ux1.unipd.it
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Burra
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Mioni
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Cillo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Fagiuoli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Senzolo
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Naccarato
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Martines
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors