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Alcohol-related cirrhosis – early abstinence is a key factor in prognosis, even in the most severe cases

Alcohol-related cirrhosis – early abstinence is a key factor in prognosis, even in the most severe cases
Alcohol-related cirrhosis – early abstinence is a key factor in prognosis, even in the most severe cases
Aims?
To determine the effect of pathological severity of cirrhosis on survival in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Design?
Liver biopsies from 100 patients were scored for Laennec score of severity of cirrhosis, and medical notes were reviewed to determine various clinical factors, including drinking status. Up-to-date mortality data were obtained using the National Health Service Strategic Tracing Service. Setting?
Southampton General Hospital between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2000. Participants?
A total of 100 consecutive patients with biopsy proven alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis. Measurements?
Laennec score of severity of cirrhosis and mortality. Findings?
Most surprisingly, the severity of cirrhosis on biopsy had little impact on survival; indeed, early death was more likely in patients with the least severe cirrhosis. Abstinence from alcohol at 1 month after diagnosis of cirrhosis was the more important factor determining survival with a 7-year survival of 72% for the abstinent patients versus 44% for the patients continuing to drink. Conclusions?
It is never too late to stop drinking, even with the most severe degrees of cirrhosis on biopsy. Early drinking status is the most important factor determining long-term survival in alcohol-related cirrhosis.
0965-2140
768-774
Verril, C.
dadb71f6-194d-4154-8417-a831e06aeabf
Markham, H.
de7b2315-6701-4747-aa92-aa8cef4a551f
Templeton, A.
c980e099-98c5-43e7-a891-345418125fc3
Carr, N.J.
810e44dc-90d5-496c-85b6-6b2fa1c07dd7
Sheron, N.
cbf852e3-cfaa-43b2-ab99-a954d96069f1
Verril, C.
dadb71f6-194d-4154-8417-a831e06aeabf
Markham, H.
de7b2315-6701-4747-aa92-aa8cef4a551f
Templeton, A.
c980e099-98c5-43e7-a891-345418125fc3
Carr, N.J.
810e44dc-90d5-496c-85b6-6b2fa1c07dd7
Sheron, N.
cbf852e3-cfaa-43b2-ab99-a954d96069f1

Verril, C., Markham, H., Templeton, A., Carr, N.J. and Sheron, N. (2009) Alcohol-related cirrhosis – early abstinence is a key factor in prognosis, even in the most severe cases. Addiction, 104 (5), 768-774. (doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02521.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Aims?
To determine the effect of pathological severity of cirrhosis on survival in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Design?
Liver biopsies from 100 patients were scored for Laennec score of severity of cirrhosis, and medical notes were reviewed to determine various clinical factors, including drinking status. Up-to-date mortality data were obtained using the National Health Service Strategic Tracing Service. Setting?
Southampton General Hospital between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2000. Participants?
A total of 100 consecutive patients with biopsy proven alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis. Measurements?
Laennec score of severity of cirrhosis and mortality. Findings?
Most surprisingly, the severity of cirrhosis on biopsy had little impact on survival; indeed, early death was more likely in patients with the least severe cirrhosis. Abstinence from alcohol at 1 month after diagnosis of cirrhosis was the more important factor determining survival with a 7-year survival of 72% for the abstinent patients versus 44% for the patients continuing to drink. Conclusions?
It is never too late to stop drinking, even with the most severe degrees of cirrhosis on biopsy. Early drinking status is the most important factor determining long-term survival in alcohol-related cirrhosis.

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More information

Published date: May 2009

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 67457
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/67457
ISSN: 0965-2140
PURE UUID: c4cb7ff9-36e1-4031-ac87-cccc21aa38c6
ORCID for N. Sheron: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-5232-8292

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 19 Aug 2009
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 18:52

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Contributors

Author: C. Verril
Author: H. Markham
Author: A. Templeton
Author: N.J. Carr
Author: N. Sheron ORCID iD

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