title: Risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders after liver transplantation in adults: an analysis of 480 patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplant Unit, AP-HP Hopital Henri Mondor, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. cduvoux@easynet.fr
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duvoux
authors.forename: Georges-Philippe
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Pageaux
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanlemmens
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roudot-Thoraval
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Vincens-Rolland
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hézode
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaulard
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Miguet
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larrey
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dhumeaux
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cherqui
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum