title: Evolution of causes and risk factors for mortality post-liver transplant: results of the NIDDK long-term follow-up study.
abstract: Although mortality rates following liver transplantation (LT) are well described, there is a lack of detailed, prospective studies determining patterns of and risk factors for long-term mortality. We analyzed the multicenter, prospectively obtained The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases LT Database of 798 transplant recipients from 1990 to 1994 (follow-up 2003). Overall, 327 recipients died. Causes of death >1 year: 28% hepatic, 22% malignancy, 11% cardiovascular, 9% infection, 6% renal failure. Renal-related death increased dramatically over time. Risk factors for death >1 year (univariate): male gender, age/decade, pre-LT diabetes, post-LT diabetes, post-LT hypertension, post-LT renal insufficiency, retransplantation >1 year, pre-LT malignancy, alcoholic disease (ALD) and metabolic liver disease, with similar risks noted for death >5 years. Hepatitis C, retransplantation, post-LT diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency were significant risk factors for liver-related death. Cardiac deaths associated with age, male gender, ALD, cryptogenic disease, pre-LT hypertension and post-LT renal insufficiency. In summary, the leading causes of late deaths after transplant were graft failure, malignancy, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Older age, diabetes and renal insufficiency identified patients at highest risk of poor survival overall. Diligent management of modifiable post-LT factors including diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency may impact long-term mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA. watt.kymberly@mayo.edu
authors.forename: K D S
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Kremers
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Heimbach
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Charlton
mesh_terms: D057229:Alcoholics; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D007668:Kidney; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000401:mortality; D008099:Liver; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054586:National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U.S.); D011446:Prospective Studies; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States