Risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders after liver transplantation in adults: an analysis of 480 patients.
BACKGROUND
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-known complication of organ transplantation that leads to death in more than 50% of cases. The aim of this work was to identify specific risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders after liver transplantation in adults.


METHODS
A total of 480 consecutive patients who underwent transplantation between 1986 and 1997 were studied (323 men, 157 women; mean age: 49.8+/-10.4 years). Demographics, the indication for transplantation, the immunosuppressive regimens, the incidence of rejection episodes, and Epstein-Barr virus infection were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify factors predictive of PTLD.


RESULTS
Sixteen cases of PTLD (3.3%) occurred at a median of 5.5 (range, 1-39) months after liver transplantation. All 16 cases occurred in patients with evidence of exposure to Epstein-Barr virus before transplantation. In multivariate analysis, the use of antilymphocyte antibodies (P=0.007, relative risk [RR]=4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.5-11.7), age older than 50 years (P=0.037, RR=3.5, 95% CI=0.95-13.0), liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus cirrhosis (P=0.015, RR=8.7, 95% CI=1-78.3), and liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis (P=0.015, RR=9.6, 95% CI=1.2-77.2) were independently associated with the onset of PTLD.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus-related and alcoholic cirrhosis and age older than 50 years are three additional risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorder independent of the use of antilymphocyte antibodies. The use of antilymphocyte antibodies after liver transplantation should be avoided in these categories of patients, especially those older than 50 years.
Duvoux
Christophe
C
Liver Transplant Unit, AP-HP Hopital Henri Mondor, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. cduvoux@easynet.fr
Pageaux
Georges-Philippe
GP
Vanlemmens
Claire
C
Roudot-Thoraval
Françoise
F
Vincens-Rolland
Anne-Laure
AL
Hézode
Christophe
C
Gaulard
Philippe
P
Miguet
Jean-Philippe
JP
Larrey
Dominique
D
Dhumeaux
Daniel
D
Cherqui
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000009:adverse effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum