Psychiatric and social outcome following liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease: A controlled study

Psychiatric outcome, quality of life, and alcohol consumption were compared between patients transplanted for alcoholic liver disease and those transp lanted for other chronic liver diseases. Instruments used included the Clin ical Interview Schedule, the 28-item General Health Questionnaire, the Hosp ital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Nottingham Health Profile. There was no difference be tween the two groups with regard to median scores or "caseness" on these instruments, except for physical mobility on the Nottin gham Health Profile, where the alcoholic group was more likely to experienc e difficulties (p=0.03). The majority of those transplanted for alcoholic l iver disease remained abstinent, although 7 of the 31 in the alcoholic grou p (23%) were drinking above recommended safe limits. Psychosocial outcome i s similar for individuals transplanted for alcoholic liver disease and thos e transplanted for other chronic liver diseases. Patients should not be exc luded from transplantation on grounds of their drinking history. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science Inc.