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Background: A high proportion of patients suffering from end stage liver disease are from low socioeconomic classes, which limits their access to liver transplantation as the most effctive treatment of this condition because of cost barrier. Objectives: one of the most challenging aspects of liver transplantation is its affordability and utilization by those who need it the most. Patients and Methods: Since November 2005, Iran Ministry of Health had covered 100% of the costs of in-patient liver transplantation care. To determine the effects of this policy, patterns of utilization of liver transplantation were compared before and after implementation of the policy. Group one included 112 and group two included 120 individuals who received transplantation before (from early January 2003 to November 2005) and after (from November 2005 to the end of December 2007) the legislation entered into the effect, respectively. Socioeconomic characteristics of these patients were evaluated by data collected about house and car ownership, education level, employment status, and place of residence. Results: Coverage of the costs allowed more illiterate and semiliterate people (P = 0.032) as well as more unemployed or unskilled workers to receive transplantation (P = 0.021). The number of transplantations also increased in children and geriatric age group. This legislation also led to greater countrywide regional coverage of indigent patients. Conclusions: This survey provides evidence that coverage of the costs by Ministry of Health was effective in reducing social discrimination in utilization of liver transplantation, and narrowed the gap between low and high socioeconomic classes in Iranian society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently there are a number of reports on the cardiotoxicity of tacrolimus in post-transplant patients. There is no protocol for cardiovascular evaluation in these patients. This study was performed to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 63 post-liver transplant patients who received tacrolimus. They were evaluated for cardiovascular complications by physical examination, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations within three and six months following liver transplantation. Serum tacrolimus levels were checked by ELISA. For comparison, we selected 50 post-liver transplant patients who received no tacrolimus and evaluated them for cardiovascular function identically. Results: Among 63 patients, 42 were male (66.7%) and 21 were female (33.3%); 70% of the patients were adults, and 19 (30%) were within the pediatric age group. The cardiovascular examinations, electrocardiogram and echocardiography of all patients three months posttransplantation were normal except for two children who developed tacrolimus related cardiac complications. Both had high serum tacrolimus levels. No adults developed cardiovascular complications. In the control group, the results of the cardiovascular evaluations were normal in all cases. Conclusion: The cardiovascular toxicity of tacrolimus, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, may be observed in pediatric patients. Therefore, we recommend routine regular cardiovascular evaluation of children after liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver transplant can be challenging in cirrhotic patients with diabetes mellitus. In chronic liver disease, the glucose metabolism is altered; uncontrolled diabetes negatively influences the outcome of liver transplantation and poses difficulty in the management of immediate post transplantation period. Simultaneous liver-pancreas transplantation is an option to prevent early complications due to diabetes and also to improve the quality of life after transplantation in patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and chronic liver disease. We report the first en-bloc liver-pancreas transplant done in the transplant history of Iran. We describe the technical details of the procedure as well as the short term outcome after transplantation. In this case report, we also discuss in some details, the surgical, medical and immunological advantages of combined liver-pancreas transplantation as opposed to separate implantation of both organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Liver transplantation requires lifelong immunosuppression, which has significant psychological and physiological implications. While depression and anxiety are prevalent among transplant recipients, their potential relationship with immune tolerance remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association between depression, anxiety, and immune tolerance in liver transplant recipients., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 179 adult liver transplant recipients, categorized as tolerant (n=49) and non-tolerant (n=130) based on immunosuppressive status. Depression and anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with significance set at P<0.05., Results: A history of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, was observed in 19.0% and 53.1% of participants, respectively. No significant differences were found in BDI-II scores between tolerant (13.14±10.67) and non-tolerant (12.45±11.38) groups. Similarly, STAI-Y State and Trait anxiety scores did not differ significantly between groups (P=0.23 for both)., Conclusions: While depression and anxiety are common in liver transplant recipients, this study did not find a significant association with immune tolerance. Given the cross-sectional design and sample size limitations, further longitudinal research is needed to determine whether psychological factors influence transplant outcomes., Competing Interests: Source of Funding and Conflicts of Interest: This study was funded by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript., (Copyright © 2025 Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine.)

Background: In this study, we report the epidemiology of COVID-19 among recipients of organ transplantation and evaluate associated factors with death., Methods: We screened 6969 patients who had organ transplantations in our center for COVID-19. Specific data on presentation, clinical course, treatment, and prognosis were acquired., Results: We found 85 patients (66 liver, 16 kidney, 2 kidney-pancreas, and 1 liver-kidney recipient) who acquired COVID-19. Most common symptoms included fever (48.2%), cough (41.2%), myalgia (41.2%), and fatigue (40%). Dyspnea developed in 33% of patients. Overall, one-third of patients had an oxygen saturation of below 90% on admission. Patients were hospitalized for a median (interquartile range) of 9 (5, 13.7) days and had a 33.9% intensive care unit admission rate. Overall, 17 patients (20%) died, which included 31.3% of patients with kidney transplantations and 18.2% of patients with liver transplantations. All 4 pediatric patients in our series died. In our univariate analysis among adults, rates of leukopenia (38.4% versus 13.2%; P = 0.04), low albumin levels (53.8% versus 10.2%; P = 0.001), and shorter duration between transplantation and COVID-19 (P = 0.02), were higher among patients who died. In our least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model, low albumin levels (OR, 4.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-17.27) were associated with higher risk of death., Conclusions: This is the largest single-center report on abdominal transplantations and COVID-19. Liver and kidney transplant recipients have an increased risk of mortality compared with the general population due to COVID-19. More specifically, pediatric patients and those with low albumin levels are at higher risks of death due COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare no funding or conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication amongst patients with liver cirrhosis. The PVT risk factors and its impact on post liver transplant outcome has not been well defined, yet. This study aimed to investigate PVT prevalence, its risk factors and influence on early and long-term outcomes after liver transplantation., Methods: Adult (>18 years) patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation between March 2013 to March 2015 were included. Presence or absence of PVT was recorded at transplant. PVT risk factors in patients with liver cirrhosis and its impact on early and long-term outcomes were analysed., Results: Portal vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 174 patients (17.3%). Large oesophageal varices (grade II and III vs grade I) (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.46-4.26; P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus before transplantation (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.13-3.64; P = 0.017) and cryptogenic-NASH (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.08-1.72; P = 0.008) as a cause of underlying liver disease were the independent risk factors for PVT. PVT (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.10-3.81; P = 0.023) was an independent predictor of early (within 90 days) posttransplant mortality, but did not influence long-term survival., Conclusion: Portal vein thrombosis prevalence is high in pretransplant period. NASH related cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus might be risk factors for PVT. More intense screening of these patients for PVT is warranted., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Liver transplant can be challenging in cirrhotic patients with diabetes mellitus. In chronic liver disease, the glucose metabolism is altered; uncontrolled diabetes negatively influences the outcome of liver transplantation and poses difficulty in the management of immediate post transplantation period. Simultaneous liver-pancreas transplantation is an option to prevent early complications due to diabetes and also to improve the quality of life after transplantation in patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and chronic liver disease. We report the first en-bloc liver-pancreas transplant done in the transplant history of Iran. We describe the technical details of the procedure as well as the short term outcome after transplantation. In this case report, we also discuss in some details, the surgical, medical and immunological advantages of combined liver-pancreas transplantation as opposed to separate implantation of both organs.

Objectives: Neurologic complications are a significant cause of morbidity in children after liver transplant. In this study, we sought to evaluate the neurologic complications in children after liver transplant., Materials and Methods: All children aged younger than 18 years old who had undergone liver transplant between June 2004 and June 2007 were included in this prospective study. There were 30 boys (62.5%) and 18 girls (37.5%) (mean age, 9.6 -/+ 4.3 years; mean duration of follow-up, 21.6 -/+ 9.4 months). The most common indications for liver transplant were biliary atresia (n=12, 25%), Wilson disease (n=7, 14.6%), tyrosinemia (n=7, 14.6%), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (n=6, 12.5%), and autoimmune cirrhosis (n=5, 10.4%)., Results: Immunosuppressive medication consisted tacrolimus (n=44, 91.7%) or cyclosporine (n=4, 8.3%) combined with mycophenolate mofetil (n=33, 68.7%) and prednisolone (n=18, 37.5%). The most-common neurologic complications were tremor (n=8, 16.7%), convulsions (n=6, 12.5%), insomnia (n=6, 12.5%), headache (n=5, 10.4%), muscle cramps (n=5, 10.4%), paresthesia (n=3, 6.2%), and weakness (n=3, 6.2%)., Conclusions: We conclude that the most-common neurologic complication after liver transplant in children in contrast to other studies is tremor, same as adult patients. This may be due to higher rate of use of tacrolimus in our patients.

Background: Pancreas transplantation is the treatment of choice for selected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. We reviewed our first 40 patients who underwent pancreas transplantation in Shiraz Organ Transplant Center., Methods: Between April 2006 and April 2008, we performed pancreas transplantation on 40 recipients. The operation included portal venous drainage and exocrine enteric drainage. Immunosuppressive therapy included prednisolone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Ganciclovir was administered as prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus. Peri-operative and regular follow up data on survival and complication were gathered and analyzed., Results: The mean follow-up was 10.1+/-6.5 months (range: 1 - 24 months). Mean age of donors and recipients was 23.6+/-8.2 and 32.30+/-8.9 years, respectively. The mean pretransplant insulin consumption was 43.75+/-17.4 IU. Fasting blood glucose before transplantation was 275.5+/-72.3 mg/dL that decreased to 95.6+/-7.01 at six months follow-up (P<0.001). Complications were as follows: re-exploration (n=9), gastrointestinal complications (n=10), acute rejection episodes (n=12), and chronic rejection (n=4). We lost one patient due to diffuse cytomegalovirus and aspergillus infection three months after the operation with a functioning graft. Overall graft survival was 84.9% and patient survival 97.5%., Conclusion: Good patient and graft survival in these series encouraged us to continue the program with all its difficulties.

Objectives: Renal dysfunction is one of the most significant complications after liver transplant. It is attributed mainly to nephrotoxicity caused by calcineurin inhibitors. We evaluated the renal functioning in liver transplant recipients alive for at least 6 months after liver transplant., Materials and Methods: One hundred seventy patients (108 male [63.5%], 62 female [36.5%]; mean age, 31.4 +/- 13.3 years; age range, 13-61 years) were included in this study. Patients who had undergone a liver transplant between 1994 and 2006 at the Organ Transplantation Center of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran, and had been alive for at least 6 months after surgery were included. Data were collected regarding age, sex, body mass index, underlying liver disease, graft type, immunosuppressive medications, serum creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration rate before, 1, and 6 months after liver transplant. Renal dysfunction was defined as a serum creatinine level above 132.6 micromol/L or a glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, based on our reference range. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Schwartz formula (glomerular filtration rate mL/min/1.73 m2 = K x Ht (cm) / Cr mg/dL). Data were analyzed with SPSS software., Results: The mean follow-up was 25.9 +/- 23.5 months (range, 6-156 months). The main indications for liver transplant were cryptogenic cirrhosis (n=42), hepatitis B infection (n=34), autoimmune cirrhosis (n=30), Wilson's disease (n=21), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=18). The mean pretransplant glomerular filtration rate was 93.7 +/- 35.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean glomerular filtration rates in the first and sixth months after liver transplant were 81.6 +/- 29.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 83.6 +/- 32.9 mL/min/1.73 m2. Sex, body mass index, type of immunosuppressive medication, and underlying liver disease were not predictors of renal dysfunction (P > .05). Posttransplant renal dysfunction was significantly more common in older patients (ie, those aged 38.8 years and older) (P = .0001) and those with a family history of renal disease (P < .05)., Conclusions: Renal dysfunction may be a significant problem for patients after liver transplant, and early detection of renal dysfunction in patients after liver transplant is important. Of all the risk factors studied here, only older age and family history of renal disease were correlated with development of renal dysfunction after liver transplant.

Aim: To analyze records of patients listed for liver transplantation (LT) at our hospital, the first and the largest LT center in Iran., Methods: We analyzed medical records of patients aged 14 years or older, who were listed for LT for chronic liver disease between 1994 and 2004. Outcome was determined from records or follow-up data., Results: Among the 480 patients (mean age 39 [SD 13] years; 327 [68.1%] men) listed for LT, common causes of cirrhosis were cryptogenic (143; 29.9%) and hepatitis B (127; 26.5%). Child-Turcott-Pugh (CTP) class distribution of these patients was: A - 37 (7.7%), B - 258 (53.7%) and C - 185 (38.6%). Mean (SD) follow-up duration was 11.4 (11.8) months (range 1-108). One hundred and four (21.7%) patients received LT and 173 (36%) died while awaiting LT. CTP class influenced 1-year (90%, 73% and 55% in class A, B and C, respectively) and 2-year (84%, 48% and 25%, respectively) survival rates. MELD score also influenced survival. Survival was better in patients who underwent LT than in those who continued on the waiting list (p< 0.01)., Conclusion: Only about one-fifth of patients listed for LT in Iran received LT and a large proportion died without LT.