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Vogel AS, Roediger R, von Ahrens D, Fortune BE, Schwartz JM, Frager S, Chacko KR, Tow CY. The Impact of Metabolic Health and Obesity on Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:685. [PMID: 38929668 PMCID: PMC11204519 DOI: 10.3390/life14060685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Poor metabolic health and obesity have significant impacts on the outcomes of patients suffering from chronic liver disease, particularly those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Patients with such comorbidities who require liver transplant evaluation for advancing liver disease or liver failure require special consideration due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction, sarcopenic obesity, and cancer. Those who have had a history of prior bariatric surgery pose specific anatomical constraints and may also be at increased risk of alcohol use disorder. Pre-operative risk assessment as well as strict control of metabolic risk factors are essential to reduce intra-operative and post-liver transplant complications. As immunosuppressive therapy exacerbates metabolic dysfunction and risk for cancer, post-liver transplant care must focus on balancing the need to prevent rejection and the impact of progressive metabolic dysfunction in this unique, but growing, patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Clara Y. Tow
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-888-795-4837; Fax: +1-602-563-8224
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Czarnecka K, Czarnecka P, Tronina O, Bączkowska T, Durlik M. MASH Continues as a Significant Burden on Metabolic Health of Liver Recipients. Transplant Proc 2024; 56:822-831. [PMID: 38403537 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic complications are a recognized health concern in liver transplant recipients that result in inferior patient-reported outcomes. Patients with MASH are known to be disproportionately affected by metabolic diseases compared to other indications for transplantation. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of metabolic abnormalities in liver recipients with specific focus on differences between patients transplanted for MASH and non-MASH-causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS An observational, monocentric, and retrospective analysis was performed. Patients who received a cadaveric-donor-liver transplant between 2010 and 2019 were eligible. RESULTS 282 patients were enrolled with a median age of 52 years (66.7% males). Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) led to liver transplant in 8.2% of cases. De-novo metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 36% of the study population. Patients that underwent transplant owing to MASH showed significantly higher incidence of metabolic complications in both pre- and post-transplant period. Considerable differences were noted in the pattern of weight gain between patients transplanted for MASH and non-MASH patients. The MASH etiology (OR: 5.5; 95% CI: 1.624-22.868; P = .010), higher BMI at 1-year post-transplant (OR: 1.321; 95% CI: 1.214-1.449; P = <.001), and older age at transplant (OR: 1.038; 95% CI: 1.006-1.074; P = .022) were independently associated with new-onset metabolic syndrome in liver recipients. CONCLUSION Metabolic complications were prevalent in liver recipients. Liver recipients with underlying MASH significantly surpassed patients transplanted for other indications in terms of metabolic complications incidence and demonstrated an unfavorable trajectory of weight gain post-transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Czarnecka
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paulina Czarnecka
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Tronina
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Teresa Bączkowska
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Durlik
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Kozlitina J, Cohen NM, Sturtevant D, Cohen JC, Murphey-Half C, Saltarrelli JG, Jindra P, Askar M, Hwang CS, Vagefi PA, Lacelle C, Hobbs HH, MacConmara MP. Effect of donor HSD17B13 genotype on patient survival after liver transplant: a retrospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 67:102350. [PMID: 38169797 PMCID: PMC10758751 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several genetic variants are associated with chronic liver disease. The role of these variants in outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine if donor genotype at risk-associated variants in PNPLA3 (rs738409 C>G, p.I148M) and HSD17B13 (rs72613567 T>TA; rs80182459, p.A192Lfs∗8) influences post-LT survival. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data on 2346 adults who underwent first-time LT between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2020 and who had donor DNA samples available at five large Transplant Immunology Laboratories in Texas, USA, were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Duplicates, patients with insufficient donor DNA for genotyping, those who were <18 years of age at the time of transplant, had had a previous transplant or had missing genotype data were excluded. The primary outcomes were patient and graft survival after LT. The association between donor genotype and post-LT survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Findings Median age of LT recipients was 57 [interquartile range (IQR), 50-62] years; 837 (35.7%) were women; 1362 (58.1%) White, 713 (30.4%) Hispanic, 182 (7.8%) Black/African-American. Median follow-up time was 3.95 years. Post-LT survival was not affected by donor PNPLA3 genotype but was significantly reduced among recipients of livers with two HSD17B13 loss-of-function (LoF) variants compared to those receiving livers with no HSD17B13 LoF alleles (unadjusted one-year survival: 82.6% vs 93.9%, P < 0.0001; five-year survival: 73.1% vs 82.9%, P = 0.0017; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.25; 95% CI, 1.61-3.15 after adjustment for recipient age, sex, and self-reported ethnicity). Excess mortality was restricted to those receiving steroid induction immunosuppression (crude 90-day post-LT mortality, 9.3% [95% CI, 1.9%-16.1%] vs 1.9% [95% CI, 0.9%-2.9%] in recipients of livers with two vs no HSD17B13 LoF alleles, P = 0.0012; age, sex, and ethnicity-adjusted HR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.72-4.71, P < 0.0001). No reduction was seen among patients who did not receive steroid induction (90-day mortality 3.1% [95% CI, 0%-7.3%] vs 2% [95% CI, 0.9%-3.1%], P = 0.65; adjusted HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.66-2.08, P = 0.60). Interpretation Donor HSD17B13 genotype adversely affects post-LT survival in patients receiving steroid induction. Additional studies are required to confirm this association. Funding The National Institutes of Health and American Society of Transplant Surgeons Collaborative Scientist Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kozlitina
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Naomi M. Cohen
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Drew Sturtevant
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jonathan C. Cohen
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- The Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Cathi Murphey-Half
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Southwest Immunodiagnostics, Inc, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jerome G. Saltarrelli
- Histocompatibility and Immune Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Jindra
- Immune Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Medhat Askar
- Transplant Immunology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Christine S. Hwang
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Parsia A. Vagefi
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chantale Lacelle
- Transplant Immunology and Histocompatibility, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Helen H. Hobbs
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Malcolm P. MacConmara
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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Paklar N, Mijic M, Filipec-Kanizaj T. The Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in Severe Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Patients. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3096. [PMID: 38002096 PMCID: PMC10669065 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in the population can lead to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In Western industrialized countries, this has become a major problem with significant socioeconomic impacts. MASH is now a leading cause of liver transplantation (LT), especially in developed countries. However, the post-transplant outcomes of such patients are a major concern, and published data are limited and extremely variable. In this article, we discuss graft and patient survival after LT, complications, the recurrence of MASH, and MASH appearing de novo after transplantation. Recent studies suggest that patients with MASH have slightly worse short-term survival, potentially due to increased cardiovascular mortality. However, most studies found that longer-term outcomes for patients undergoing LT for MASH are similar or even better than those for other indications. Hepatocellular carcinoma due to MASH cirrhosis also has similar or even better outcomes after LT than other etiologies. In conclusion, we suggest questions and topics that require further research to enhance healthcare for this growing patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Paklar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Mijic
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tajana Filipec-Kanizaj
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Odenwald MA, Rinella ME. Recurrent NAFLD post-LT: Sisyphus' boulder or Proteus' parable? Liver Transpl 2023; 29:917-918. [PMID: 37071070 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Odenwald
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Shelley K, Articolo A, Luthra R, Charlton M. Clinical characteristics and management of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a real-world setting: analysis of the Ipsos NASH therapy monitor database. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:160. [PMID: 37208593 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02794-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the more severe, inflammatory type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH, a leading indication for liver transplantation, is growing in prevalence. The extent of liver fibrosis, ranging from fibrosis stage (FS) of none (F0) to cirrhosis (F4), is a strong predictor of health outcomes. There is little information on patient demographics and clinical characteristics by fibrosis stage and NASH treatment outside of academic medical centers. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using Ipsos' syndicated NASH Therapy Monitor database, consisting of medical chart audits provided by sampled NASH-treating physicians in the United States in 2016 (n = 174) and 2017 (n = 164). Data was collected online. RESULTS Of 2,366 patients reported on by participating physicians and included in the analysis, 68% had FS F0-F2, 21% had bridging fibrosis (F3), and 9% had cirrhosis (F4). Common comorbidities were type 2 diabetes (56%), hyperlipidemia (44%), hypertension (46%), and obesity (42%). Patients with more advanced fibrosis scores (F3-F4) had higher comorbidity rates than patients with F0-F2. Commonly used diagnostic tests included ultrasound (80%), liver biopsy (78%), AST/ALT ratio (43%), NAFLD fibrosis score (25%), transient elastography (23%), NAFLD liver fat score (22%), and Fatty Liver Index (19%). Most commonly prescribed medications were vitamin E (53%), statins (51%), metformin (47%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (28%), and beta blockers (22%). Medications were commonly prescribed for reasons other than their known effects. CONCLUSION Physicians in this study, drawn from a spectrum of practice settings, relied on ultrasound and liver biopsy for diagnosis and vitamin E, statins, and metformin for pharmacological treatment of NASH. These findings imply poor adherence to guidelines in the diagnosis and management of NAFLD and NASH. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a liver disease caused by excess fat in the liver which can lead to liver inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), ranging from stage F0 (no scarring) to F4 (advanced scarring). The stage of liver scarring can predict the likelihood of future health problems, including liver failure and liver cancer. However, we do not fully understand how patient characteristics may vary at different stages of liver scarring. We looked at medical information from physicians treating patients diagnosed with NASH to understand how patient characteristics might differ based on the severity of their liver scarring. The majority (68%) of patients were stage F0-F2, with 30% having advanced scarring (F3-F4). In addition to NASH, many patients also had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Patients with more advanced scarring (F3-F4) were more likely to have these diseases than patients with less severe disease (F0-F2). Diagnosis of NASH by participating physicians was based on tests including imaging (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI), liver biopsy, blood tests, and whether patients had other conditions that would put them at risk for NASH. The medications that the doctors prescribed most often to their patients included vitamin E and drugs to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Medications were frequently prescribed for reasons other than their known effects. By understanding how patient characteristics vary by stages of liver scarring and how NASH is currently managed may help guide the evaluation and treatment of NASH when NASH-specific therapies become available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy Articolo
- Novo Nordisk Inc, 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ, USA
| | - Rakesh Luthra
- Novo Nordisk Inc, 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ, USA.
| | - Michael Charlton
- Transplant Institute, Center for Liver Diseases, University of Chicago Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
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Lieber SR, Baldelli L, Kim HP, Nash RP, Noriega Ramirez A, Magee G, Barritt AS, Evon DM, Singal AG. Active coping, resilience, post-traumatic growth, and psychiatric symptoms among early and late liver transplant survivors. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:290-306. [PMID: 36811878 PMCID: PMC10197865 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Understanding survivorship experiences at different stages postliver transplantation (poat-LT) is essential to improving care. Patient-reported concepts including coping, resilience, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and anxiety/depression, have been implicated as important predictors of quality of life and health behaviors after LT. We aimed to descriptively characterize these concepts at different post-LT survivorship stages. This cross-sectional study featured self-reported surveys measuring sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported concepts including coping, resilience, PTG, anxiety, and depression. Survivorship periods were categorized as early (1 y or below), mid (1-5 y), late (5-10 y), and advanced (10 y or above). Univariable and multivariable logistic and linear regression modeling examined factors associated with patient-reported concepts. Among 191 adult LT survivors, the median survivorship stage was 7.7 years (interquartile range: 3.1-14.4) and median age was 63 years (range: 28-83); most were male (64.2%) and Caucasian (84.0%). High PTG was more prevalent in the early survivorship period (85.0%) than late survivorship (15.2%). High trait resilience was only reported by 33% of survivors and associated with higher income. Lower resilience was seen among patients with longer LT hospitalization stays and late survivorship stages. About 25% of survivors had clinically significant anxiety and depression, which was more frequent among early survivors and females with pre-LT mental health disorders. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with lower active coping included survivors ≥65 years, non-Caucasian race, lower levels of education, and nonviral liver disease. In a heterogeneous cohort including early and late LT survivors, there was variation in levels of PTG, resilience, anxiety, and depression at different survivorship stages. Factors associated with positive psychological traits were identified. Understanding determinants of LT survivorship has important implications for how we should monitor and support LT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Lieber
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Luke Baldelli
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hannah P Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rebekah P Nash
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alvaro Noriega Ramirez
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Gabrielle Magee
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alfred S Barritt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Donna M Evon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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