Aim: We performed meta-analysis to determine effect of alcohol relapse after liver transplantation (LT) for alcoholic cirrhosis on graft histology and survival.
Methods: Studies were selected using following criteria: (a) LT for alcoholic cirrhosis, (b) reporting data on liver histology and/or patient survival among relapsers and abstainers, (c) minimum follow-up of 3 years. Random effects model was used to pool data to compare relapsers and abstainers on liver histology and patient survival.
Results: On analysis of seven studies, pooled prevalence of self-reported alcohol relapse was 26.3% (18.0-36.7%) over median (range) follow-up of 6.0 (3.7-8.3) years, with annual alcohol relapse rate of 4.7% (3.0-6.4%) for any alcohol use and 2.9% (0.5-5.3%) for heavy alcohol use. Relapsers compared to abstainers had higher odds for graft steatosis [4.1 (2.4-6.9)], steatohepatitis [4.5 (1.4-14.2)], alcoholic hepatitis [9.3 (1.01-85)], advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis [8.4 (3.5-20)]. Relapsers were over 3-fold more likely to die at 10 years of follow-up: [3.67 (1.42-9.50)] without differences in overall or 5-year survival. Recurrent alcoholic cirrhosis occurring in 9% of biopsied patients and 2% of all transplants was responsible for about 20% of all deaths on follow-up after LT. Extra-hepatic malignancy, and cardiovascular events were common causes for patient mortality.
Conclusion: Alcohol relapse after LT for alcoholic cirrhosis negatively impacts the graft and long-term patient survival. Studies are needed to develop strategies to reduce alcohol relapse after LT for alcoholic cirrhosis.
Short summary: Alcohol relapse in liver transplant recipients can negatively affect graft histology and patient survival. Strategies to reduce alcohol relapse are needed to preserve graft function?