Alcohol and drug use prior to liver transplantation: more common than expected in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease-Global epidemiology

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), as highlighted in this narrative review, is a major public health concern, increasingly impacting global disease burden and premature mortality. In 2019, ALD accounted for the loss of 11 million life-years worldwide. The rising number of deaths and disability-adjusted life-years attributed to ALD, particularly pronounced in the United States, are alarming. Projections suggest that the economic impact of ALD, as seen in the United States, could potentially double by 2040. ALD is increasingly prevalent among younger adults (20-45 y) and has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in both United States and Europe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing trend was further amplified as high-risk drinking patterns coincided with a rise in hospital admissions for alcohol-associated hepatitis and increased ALD-related mortality. The prevalence of ALD is estimated at 3.5% in the general population, 26.0% among hazardous drinkers, and 55.1% among those with alcohol use disorders. Alarmingly, 5-year mortality rates for patients with ALD exceed 50%, with even higher rates in more advanced disease stages. Methodological challenges, such as underreporting, diagnostic difficulties, and variability in registry data quality, complicate the accurate assessment of the impact of ALD. Additionally, the contribution of alcohol to the progression of other liver diseases is often under acknowledged in health care registries, leading to a significant underestimation of its broader implications for liver health. Addressing the growing ALD concern requires robust public health initiatives, heightened awareness, refined diagnostic techniques, and comprehensive epidemiological studies. These measures are vital to tackle the increasing prevalence of ALD and mitigate its extensive impact on individuals and health care systems.

Alcohol as a risk factor for mortality in liver transplant patients in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

Liver transplantation (LT) is the only available cure for end-stage liver disease and one of the best treatment options for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Patients with known alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) are routinely assessed for alcohol dependence or abuse before LT. Patients with other liver diseases than AC may consume alcohol both before and after LT. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of alcohol drinking before and after LT on patient and graft survival regardless of the etiology of liver disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 2012 and December 2015, 200 LT-recipients were interviewed using the Lifetime Drinking History and the Addiction Severity Index questionnaire. Patients were categorized as having AC, n = 24, HCC and/or hepatitis C cirrhosis (HCV), n = 69 or other liver diseases, n = 107. Patients were monitored and interviewed by transplantation-independent staff for two years after LT with questions regarding their alcohol consumption. Patient and graft survival data were retrieved in October 2019.

RESULTS

Patients with AC had an increased hazard ratio (HR) for death after LT (crude HR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.07-15.33, p = 0.04) and for graft loss adjusted for age and gender (adjusted HR: 3.24, 95% CI 1.08-9.77, p = 0.04) compared to the other patients in the cohort. There was no significant effect of the volume of alcohol consumed before or after LT on graft loss or overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Patients transplanted for AC have a worse prognosis, but we found no correlation between alcohol consumed before or after LT and graft or patient survival.

A Review of the Prevalence of Illicit Substance Use in Solid-Organ Transplant Candidates and the Effects of Illicit Substance Use on Solid-Organ Transplant Treatment Outcomes

Solid-organ transplantation is one of the significant advances in the medical field that have improved the quality of life and survival rates of numerous patients with end-organ dysfunction. Substance use is a common condition of individuals who are in need of solid-organ transplantation. The implications of substance use on solid-organ transplants are gaining increasing attention over the past decade. The current review seeks to explore the prevalence rate of illicit substance use among those who receive solid-organ transplantation (pre and post-transplant) and whether illicit substance use before solid-organ transplantation affects the outcome of solid-organ transplants. We searched the Medline database for all the articles available in English on the prevalence of substance use in the context of solid-organ transplant and the effect on outcome measures. We found 21 relevant articles. It appears that substance use is fairly common among solid-organ transplant candidates, with cannabis being the most common substance of abuse. A heterogeneous sample precludes the drawing of a clear-cut conclusion. But it appears that substance use may affect various outcomes of solid-organ transplants. The existing literature may not be sufficient to adequately assess the risk but limited evidence indicates that illicit substance use, particularly cannabis use, may not affect the overall survival following a solid-organ transplant.