title: Utilization of baclofen in maintenance of alcohol abstinence in patients with alcohol dependence and alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the efficacy and safety of baclofen in improving clinical state in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single center, open, retrospective study analyzing the effects of baclofen utilized over 12 months in patients with alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis and alcohol dependence on these liver parameters: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (Tbili), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), albumin and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 40 patients, 35 were treated with baclofen. On average, baclofen was used for 5.8 months. A significant decrease in the mean AST, ALT, Tbili, INR, PT and MELD score was seen when comparing pre-baclofen use compared with post-baclofen use. Of the 35 patients who were started on baclofen, 34 (97%) remained abstinent. There were no serious adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baclofen's safety and efficacy in improving the clinical condition patients with alcoholic liver disease has been supported. Randomized prospective studies with longer duration of baclofen in this population may further optimize its use and corroborate efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA davidyamini@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yamini
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Scott Hyunsoo
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Armine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avanesyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Runyon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D064829:Alcohol Abstinence; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001418:Baclofen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001418:Baclofen; D001663:Bilirubin