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Drinking patterns in liver transplant recipients
L E Tripp1, J R Clemons, R R Goldstein
1Department of Psychiatry, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
Psychosomatics
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Liver transplant recipients with alcohol issues had a low relapse rate into drinking, with most outcomes being favorable. Dual diagnosis patients experienced more significant relapses but overall medical outcomes were comparable.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Transplantation Surgery
- Addiction Psychiatry
Background:
- Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis.
- Liver transplantation is a potential treatment for end-stage liver disease due to cirrhosis.
- Assessing post-transplant outcomes in patients with a history of alcohol use is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate liver transplant recipients with Laennec's cirrhosis and a history of alcohol abuse or dependency.
- To determine the incidence and severity of alcohol relapse in this patient population.
- To compare the medical outcomes of these patients with a control group.
Main Methods:
- A 7-year longitudinal study of 68 liver transplant patients with Laennec's cirrhosis and alcohol issues.
- In-depth follow-up of patient drinking behavior and medical status.
- Comparison with a control group of non-alcohol-related liver transplant recipients.
Main Results:
- A 13% relapse rate into drinking was observed in the study sample (9 out of 68 patients).
- Only one severe relapse with an adverse outcome occurred.
- Four significant relapses were identified in patients with dual diagnoses.
- Medical outcomes for the study group were comparable to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Liver transplantation can achieve favorable medical outcomes in carefully selected patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.
- Relapse into drinking is relatively uncommon, with most instances being non-severe.
- Dual diagnosis may be a risk factor for more significant alcohol relapse post-transplantation.