- Review
- OPEN ACCESS
-
The effect of alcohol and eligibility for liver transplant: a critical review
-
Wassihun Asmare1,*
,
-
Ikechukwu Eze1,
-
Domonick Gordon1,
-
Gagan Singh1 and
-
Mukarrham Jamat Ali Ali1
Author information
Department of Internal Medicine, Howard University Hospital, Washington DC 20060, USA
Correspondence to: Wassihun Asmare, Department of Internal Medicine, Howard University Hospital, Washington DC 20060, USA. E-mail:
negawass@myyahoo.com
Abstract
Background
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALRD) has emerged as a significant global health concern, primarily attributed to the overconsumption of alcohol. While alcoholism has the potential to impact various organs, it is the liver that is especially vulnerable.
Methods
This review comprehensively examines the challenges encountered during the pre-transplant, intra-transplant, and post-transplant phases, a significant number of which are attributable to alcohol misuse. Historically, liver transplant (LT) programmes have excluded patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) due to mandatory abstinence requirements and apprehensions regarding potential graft shortages for other hepatic diseases. This review counters these concerns by highlighting the minimal usage of grafts for early liver transplantation. It strongly advocates for the incorporation of severe alcoholic hepatitis into the model for end-stage liver disease allocation, devoid of any stigmatization. The selection of ARLD individuals for LT necessitates the critical involvement of a multidisciplinary team, inclusive of addiction specialists.
Results
Despite the complexities associated with LT for patients with ARLD, this review underscores its therapeutic advantages, particularly for those anticipated to experience severe adverse effects. This review accentuates the necessity of ensuring equitable access to medical interventions for all patients, irrespective of their lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
The examination of genetic and epigenetic variables that play a role in the onset and advancement of ALD. The identification of potential therapy strategies is also an important area of study. The formulation of intricate eligibility rules for LT in patients with a past of alcohol abuse needs essential interactions between medical practitioners and researchers. The use of new technologies such as genomics and epigenomics could boost the accuracy of ALD diagnostic and prognostic approaches. These targeted investigations could potentially lead to major improvements in the management and treatment results of ALD.
Keywords
Abstinence criteria,
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALRD),
Liver transplantation (LT)
|
Copyright © 2025 Authors.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License (CC BY-NC 4.0), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
|
About this Article
Cite this article
|
Asmare W, Eze I, Gordon D, Singh G, Ali Ali MJ. The effect of alcohol and eligibility for liver transplant: a critical review. Gastroenterol & Hepatol Res. 2024;6(1):2. doi: 10.53388/ghr2024002.
|
| Copied to clipboard
|
Copy
Export to RIS
Export to EndNote
|
|
Citation copied!
|
Article History
| Received |
Revised |
Accepted |
Published |
|
|
|
|
March 29, 2024
|
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.53388/ghr2024002
-
Gastroenterology & Hepatology Research
-
-
eISSN 2703-173X