title: Recurrence of non-viral liver disease after orthotopic liver transplantation.
abstract: Liver transplant remains the ultimate treatment for decompensated liver disease. However, many diseases do recur after orthotopic liver transplant, which may affect recipients' quality of life and survival rate. We performed a systematic review of relevant epidemiological studies available on Medline that provided information on the recurrence of non-viral hepatitis after orthotopic liver transplantation in adult patients published until August 2010. All data were compiled from either review articles or retrospective studies. Primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic steatohepatitis and haemochromatosis can recur after liver transplantation. The rates for disease recurrence varied according to the indication for transplantation, and ranged from 7 to 50%. Although the survival rate of patients with liver disease has increased with the advent of liver transplantation and novel immunosuppressive protocols, recurrence of the primary liver disease remains a concern. The recurrence rates differ not only according to the cause of underlying liver disease but also vary within the indication for transplant. Further studies are needed to elucidate the risk factors for varied disease recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Olive View - UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Masry
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: Carlos Puig
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saab
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents