Analysis of patients listed for liver transplantation in Shiraz, Iran

To analyze records of patients listed for liver transplantation (LT) at our hospital, the first and the largest LT center in Iran.

We analyzed medical records of patients aged 14 years or older, who were listed for LT for chronic liver disease between 1994 and 2004. Outcome was determined from records or follow-up data.

Among the 480 patients (mean age 39 [SD 13] years; 327 [68.1%] men) listed for LT, common causes of cirrhosis were cryptogenic (143; 29.9%) and hepatitis B (127; 26.5%). Child-Turcott-Pugh (CTP) class distribution of these patients was: A - 37 (7.7%), B - 258 (53.7%) and C - 185 (38.6%). Mean (SD) follow-up duration was 11.4 (11.8) months (range 1-108). One hundred and four (21.7%) patients received LT and 173 (36%) died while awaiting LT. CTP class influenced 1-year (90%, 73% and 55% in class A, B and C, respectively) and 2-year (84%, 48% and 25%, respectively) survival rates. MELD score also influenced survival. Survival was better in patients who underwent LT than in those who continued on the waiting list (p< 0.01).

Only about one-fifth of patients listed for LT in Iran received LT and a large proportion died without LT.