1. Transplantation for Alcohol-related Liver Disease: Is It Fair?
- Author
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Mellinger, Jessica L and Volk, Michael L
- Subjects
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COMPETENCY assessment (Law) , *ALCOHOLIC liver diseases , *COMPLICATIONS of alcoholism , *HEPATITIS , *LIVER failure , *LIVER transplantation , *MEDICAL needs assessment , *PHYSICAL fitness , *RESOURCE allocation , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *DISEASE complications - Abstract
Aims Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the second leading cause of liver transplantation performed in the USA and Europe. We aimed to provide a narrative review of the major ethical issues governing transplantation for ALD. Methods We performed a narrative review of the ethical concepts in organ allocation for ALD, including alcoholic hepatitis. Results Ethical concerns regarding organ allocation for ALD involve issues of urgency, utility and justice. Post-transplant outcomes for ALD patients are good and ethical considerations limiting organs solely because of alcohol etiology do not bear scrutiny. Conclusion ALD will continue to be a major cause for liver failure. The main criteria for transplant in ALD should be the patient's risk of return to harmful drinking, alongside standard assessments of physical and psychosocial fitness for transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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