Concurrent liver diseases in liver transplant recipients in Australia

The proportion of Australians who have more than one liver disease is increasing, with unknown impacts on clinical severity and liver-related health outcomes.

In this study, we describe the prevalence and clinical impact of concurrent liver diseases among people undergoing liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in Australia and New Zealand.

Objective

We aim to:

• describe the prevalence of concurrent liver diseases among people undergoing liver transplantation for liver failure and liver cancer
• determine the additional proportion of liver transplants due to hepatitis B and C when multiple liver diagnoses are included, compared with primary diagnosis only
• determine the impact of concurrent liver disease on post-liver transplant survival.

Timeline

2020–2022.

Approach

This project is a longitudinal cohort study-analysis of the Australian and New Zealand Liver and Intestinal Transplant Registry data.

Community impact

Understanding the impact of having more than one liver disease on liver-related outcomes and mortality is vital to inform clinical management of people with chronic liver disease.

Moreover, correctly attributing adverse liver outcomes to all contributing liver diseases when more than one is present is vital to guide proportionate investment and health policy development in liver disease prevention programs.