Alcohol Consumption Post-Liver Transplantation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Managing patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) for liver transplant (LT) presents challenges due to potential alcohol relapse.
• Evaluating post-LT alcohol consumption is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess alcohol consumption patterns among liver transplant recipients at a Portuguese transplant center.
• To identify risks and characteristics associated with post-LT alcohol use.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with LT recipients from 2019.
• A survey and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) were administered via telephone.
• Alcohol consumption was determined by self-report or a positive AUDIT score.

Main Results:

• Out of 99 surveyed LT recipients, 22.2% reported alcohol consumption post-transplant.
• All reported alcohol use was characterized as low-risk (AUDIT score <8).
• Drinking recipients were younger and more likely to have received LT for non-ALD reasons and be active smokers.

Conclusions:

• Approximately a quarter of liver transplant recipients consumed alcohol early after transplantation.
• All identified alcohol consumers exhibited low-risk drinking patterns based on AUDIT scores.
• These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring of alcohol use in LT recipients.