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Trajectories of Alcohol Consumption Following Liver Transplantation
Author(s) -
DiMartini A.,
Dew M. A.,
Day N.,
Fitzgerald M. G.,
Jones B. L.,
DeVera M. E.,
Fontes P.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2010.03232.x
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , alcohol consumption , transplantation , alcohol , environmental health , intensive care medicine , biochemistry , chemistry
Any use of alcohol in the years following liver transplantation (LTX) approaches 50% of patients transplanted for alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We collected detailed prospective data on alcohol consumption following LTX for ALD to investigate ongoing patterns of use. Using trajectory modeling we identified four distinct alcohol use trajectories. One group had minimal use over time. Two other groups developed early onset moderate‐to‐heavy consumption and one group developed late onset moderate use. These trajectories demonstrate that alcohol use varies based on timing of onset, quantity and duration. Using discriminant function analysis, we examine characteristics of recipient's pre‐LTX alcohol histories and early post‐LTX psychological stressors to identify the profile of those at risk for these specific trajectories. We discuss the relevance of these findings to clinical care and preliminarily to outcomes.