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Alcohol consumption patterns and predictors of use following liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease
Author(s) -
DiMartini Andrea,
Day Nancy,
Dew Mary Amanda,
Javed Lubna,
Fitzgerald Mary Grace,
Jain Ashok,
Fung John J.,
Fontes Paulo
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.20688
Subject(s) - sobriety , medicine , alcoholic liver disease , liver transplantation , binge drinking , alcohol , liver disease , prospective cohort study , transplantation , univariate analysis , alcohol dependence , alcohol consumption , surgery , multivariate analysis , cirrhosis , poison control , psychiatry , emergency medicine , injury prevention , biochemistry , chemistry
Abstract For patients who receive a liver transplant (LTX) for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), investigators are focusing beyond survival to determine specific alcohol use outcomes. Studies suggest the use of alcohol ranges from 8 to 22% for the first post‐transplant year with cumulative rates reaching 30 to 40% by 5 years following transplantation. Yet while investigators are interested in determining specific rates of alcohol use and predictors of use, only three studies since 1990 have been prospective. In 1998, we began a prospective study of post‐LTX alcohol consumption in ALD recipients using multiple repeated measures of alcohol use. After 5 years of follow‐up, we found that 22% had used any alcohol by the first year and 42% had a drink by 5 years. By 5 years, 26% drank at a heavier use (binge) pattern and 20% drank in a frequent pattern. In a univariate model, predictors of alcohol use included pre‐transplant length of sobriety, a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, a history of other substance use, and prior alcohol rehabilitation. Liver Transpl 12:813–820, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.