Lower relapse rates with good post-transplant outcome in alcoholic liver disease: Experience from a living donor liver transplant center

Introduction Post-transplant relapse is a major factor influencing the long-term outcome in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the relapse rates following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with ALD in the Indian context with strong family support. Methods Of 458 patients who underwent LDLT for ALD, 408 were included in the study. Post-transplant relapse was determined by information provided by the patient and/or family by means of outpatient and e-mail questionnaire, supported by clinical/biochemical parameters/liver histopathology. Results All except one were males, with a mean age of 46.9 ± 8.5 years. The overall rate of relapse was 9.5 % at 34.7 months (interquartile range (IQR) 15–57.6), lower than that reported in the literature from the West. The relapse rate was higher in patients with a shorter duration of pre-transplant abstinence (17.4 % and 15.4 % for recipients with pre-transplant abstinence of