55 research outputs found

    Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease

    No full text
    Alcohol-related liver disease is the second most frequent indication for liver transplantation (LT), yet as many as 90% to 95% of patients with alcohol-related end-stage liver disease are never formally evaluated for LT. Furthermore, despite its significance as a cause of chronic liver disease and indication for LT, it has received little attention in recent years for several reasons, including the good posttransplant short-term results, and the lack of specific \u201cdrugs\u201d used for this disease. A writing group, endorsed by the International Liver Transplant Society, was convened to write guidelines on Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease to summarize current knowledge and provide answers to controversial and delicate ethical as well as clinical problems. We report here a short version of the guidelines (long version available at www.ilts.org) with the final recommendations graded for level of evidence. The writing group membership is expected to remain active for 5 years, reviewing the guideline annually, and updating the online version when appropriate.

    Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease.

    No full text
    Alcohol-related liver disease is the second most frequent indication for liver transplantation (LT), yet as many as 90% to 95% of patients with alcohol-related end-stage liver disease are never formally evaluated for LT. Furthermore, despite its significance as a cause of chronic liver disease and indication for LT, it has received little attention in recent years for several reasons, including the good posttransplant short-term results, and the lack of specific "drugs" used for this disease. A writing group, endorsed by the International Liver Transplant Society, was convened to write guidelines on Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease to summarize current knowledge and provide answers to controversial and delicate ethical as well as clinical problems. We report here a short version of the guidelines (long version available at www.ilts.org) with the final recommendations graded for level of evidence. The writing group membership is expected to remain active for 5 years, reviewing the guideline annually, and updating the online version when appropriate

    Adherence to the medical regimen during the first two years after lung transplantation

    No full text
    BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of adherence to the medical regimen for maximizing health after lung transplantation, no prospective studies report on rates or risk factors for nonadherence in this patient population. Whether adherence levels differ in lung versus other types of transplant recipients is unknown. METHODS: A total of 178 lung recipients and a comparison group of 126 heart recipients were enrolled. Adherence in nine areas was assessed in separate patient and family caregiver interviews 2, 7, 12, 18, and 24 months posttransplant. Potential risk factors for nonadherence were obtained at the initial assessment. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence rates of persistent nonadherence (i.e., nonadherence at 0.05) in lung recipients than heart recipients for taking immunosuppressants (13% nonadherent vs. 21%, respectively), diet (34% vs. 56%), and smoking (1% vs. 8%). Lung recipients had significantly higher persistent nonadherence to completing blood work (28% vs. 17%) and monitoring blood pressure (70% vs. 59%). They had a high rate of spirometry nonadherence (62%; not measured in heart recipients). The groups did not differ in nonadherence to attending clinic appointments (27%), exercise (44%), or alcohol limitations (7%). In both groups, poor caregiver support and having only public insurance (e.g., Medicaid) increased nonadherence risk in all areas. CONCLUSIONS: Lung recipients were neither uniformly better nor worse than heart recipients in adhering to their regimen. Lung recipients have particular difficulty with some home monitoring activities. Strategies to maximize adherence in both groups should build on caregiver support and on strengthening financial resources for patient healthcare requirements
    corecore