Scand J Gastroenterol 1999 May;34(5):535-40

Follow-up after liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis: effects on survival, quality of life, and colitis

Saldeen K, Friman S, Olausson M, Olsson R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Except for primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis
(PSC) is now the commonest indication for liver transplantation in Sweden. There
are several specific problems related to post-transplantation life in these
patients. METHODS: We analyzed a 10-year cohort of 47 patients transplanted at
our center. RESULTS: Incidental biliary carcinoma was diagnosed in 13%,, with a
2-year survival of only 17%, compared with 70% in the other patients. The 2-year
survival has improved considerably (to 82%) in recent years. Quality of life was
much or slightly improved in 80%. The colitis was much or slightly improved in
65%, with some deterioration in only 6%. No patient developed colonic carcinoma.
Previous biliary tract surgery was identified as a risk factor for a worse
1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation for PSC is now associated
with a high survival rate and an improvement in the quality of life and course
of ulcerative colitis. Previous biliary tract surgery is a risk factor for
non-survival