Liver transplantation for patients with alcoholic liver disease: an open question

Abstract

End-stage alcoholic liver disease is a recognised indication for liver transplantation but some questions on the matter remain open. It is difficult to quantify alcohol consumption, and a single definition of post-transplant relapse is lacking. Moreover, there are no internationally accepted criteria for the selection of candidates for liver transplantation and the eligibility parameters for these patients are controversial. Additional clinical and psychological evaluations are necessary in this setting, especially to establish the risk of alcohol relapse. Nevertheless, patient and graft survival rates after liver transplantation in alcoholic liver disease are comparable to those after transplant for other aetiologies, alcohol consumption relapse being one of the most important problems in the post-transplant phase. In conclusion, alcohol-related liver disease is a good indication for liver transplantation. The main future goals are to formulate a well-defined pre-transplant approach and a single definition of alcohol relapse and to improve prevention strategies.