Outcomes of liver transplantation for cryptogenic cirrhosis: a single-center study of 71 patients

Cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) is emerging as an important indication for orthotoptic liver transplantation (OLT) in the United States. Our aim was to identify risk factors associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with CC and to evaluate outcomes following OLT.

A chart review was performed on patients transplanted for CC at the University of Nebraska Medical Center between October 1993 and May 2003.

Seventy-one patients were identified (37 were men and 34 women). Average age was 53.5 years. Mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased from 174.8 to 222.3 mg/dL (P <.05) and from 162.60 to 279.66 mg/dL (P <.05), respectively. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus also increased from 37.14% to 54.93% (P <.05). Incidental hepatocellular carcinoma was present in six patients and high-grade dysplasia in one patient. Steatohepatitis developed in eight patients and recurrent cryptogenic disease in four, of whom one required retransplantation for decompensated liver disease. Rejection occurred in 24 patients. Cumulative incidence of graft failure at 1 year was 4% (95% CI 0% to 10%) and at 5 years was 7% (95% CI 0% to 18%). Survival at 1 year was 85% (95% CI 77% to 94%) and at 5 years was 73% (95% CI between 61% to 86%).

Cryptogenic liver disease is an important cause of decompensated cirrhosis; NASH appears to be an intermediate stage in the development of this disease in a subset of patients. Short-term and 5-year survival rates in this series appear comparable to other liver transplant recipients, supporting liver transplantation as an acceptable treatment for CC.