Ann Liver Transplant.  2024 Nov;4(2):95-101. 10.52604/alt.24.0013.

Varied strategies for alcohol-related liver transplants in South Korea

• Choi HH
• Lee KW
• Kim BW
• Kim DS
• Choi GS
• Lee HW
• Choi HJ
• Han J
• Ryu JH
• Kim KW
• Ju MK
• Park MS
• Kim MS
• Kim SH
• Kim SH
• Hwang S
• Jung SW
• Kim TS
• Shin WY

• KMID: 2561854
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52604/alt.24.0013

Abstract

Background
s: Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is currently a major indication for liver transplantation (LT) in South Korea. Alcoholic recidivism is a primary concern after LT for ALD. However, it is unclear how patients who have received LT for ALD are managed regarding medical and psychological issues. Furthermore, management approaches vary across centers. This study aims to investigate how these management approaches differ among centers.
Methods
We conducted a survey of 19 liver transplant centers in South Korea to gather detailed information on the management protocols and related issues of ALD in LT patients.
Results
All 19 centers that responded to the survey had been performing LT for patients with ALD for more than 5 years. Nine out of the 19 centers (47%) stated that a minimum abstinence period of 1–6 months from alcohol was required before evaluating LT and enrolling on the transplant waiting list. Only 2 (10%) and 5 (26%) centers had protocols for assessing alcohol consumption while awaiting LT or for treating alcohol consumption after transplantation, respectively. Monitoring abstinence from drinking before and after LT mostly relied on direct interviews, and alcohol biomarkers were not used.
Conclusion
Our findings emphasize the importance of consistent patient management guidelines for ALD-LTs in South Korea.

Keyword

Alcohol-related liver disease; Liver transplantation; Recidivism; Liver transplantation protocols; South Korea liver transplant centers

Figure

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  Figure 1 Number of liver transplantations performed at 19 centers in South Korea. (A) Number of liver transplantations performed at each center in 2022, (B) number of liver transplantations for alcohol-related hepatitis performed at each center in 2022, and (C) comparison of the number of liver transplantations and liver transplantations for alcohol-related hepatitis in 2022 by center.

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  Figure 2 Pre-transplant evaluation criteria for patients with alcohol-related liver disease.

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