Open AccessBiomarkers for detection of alcohol consumption in liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Katharina Staufer,
Michel Yegles
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v22.i14.3725
Subject(s) - liver transplantation , abstinence , medicine , alcohol consumption , alcoholic liver disease , transplantation , alcohol , liver disease , cohort , cirrhosis , psychiatry , biology , biochemistry
Alcoholic liver disease is an established, yet controversial, indication for liver transplantation. Although an abstinence period of up to 6 mo prior to transplantation is mandatory, alcohol relapse after transplantation is a common event. In case of recurrence of heavy drinking, graft survival is significantly impaired. Guidelines on detection and surveillance of alcohol consumption in this patient cohort are lacking. This review summarizes the challenge of patient selection as well as the current knowledge on established and novel alcohol biomarkers with special focus on liver transplant candidates and recipients.