Self-reported alcohol use and depressive symptoms after liver transplantation.

Background: The prevalence of alcohol use among Finnish liver transplant recipients has not been studied before.

Methods: We used self-report questionnaires and correlations between alcohol use liver biochemistry and depressive symptoms at the only transplant unit of the country, during a 6-month period in 2013.

Results: The final study population consisted of 207 recipients. After verbal consent, participants filled in Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test C and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Twenty percent of patients had been transplanted because of alcoholic liver disease. Of the patients, 43% reported alcohol use any time after liver transplantation (LT) and 28% during the past 1 month. Nearly all of those who received LT during childhood reported alcohol use more often and more drinks per occasion. Statistically significant risk factors for harmful drinking were male sex, age younger than 18 years at transplantation, and years from transplantation. Neither cause nor the depression scores reached statistical significance. Alcohol users had statistically significant higher liver biochemistry markers.

Conclusion: Our results revealed a 43% overall use of alcohol after LT and 28% use of alcohol within the last month and low depression scores. Among participants with alcohol liver disease origin, 39% and 34% any time and during the past 1 month, respectively, reported relapse. The alcohol consumption revealed in this study is similar to that of the general alcohol consumption tradition in Finland. Young males transplanted during their childhood were at most risk for harmful drinking.