Repository logo
 

Systematic review: Interventions for alcohol use disorder in patients with cirrhosis or alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Published version

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Change log

Authors

Oldroyd, Christopher  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4934-8345
Greenham, Olivia 
Martin, Graham 
Allison, Michael 
Notley, Caitlin 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is the most important factor in determining the prognosis of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and alcohol-associated hepatitis. AIM: To conduct a systematic review of interventions for alcohol use disorder specific to patients with cirrhosis or alcohol-associated hepatitis. METHODS: We searched five databases between inception and November 2022. The primary outcomes were abstinence, hepatic decompensation and mortality. We included randomised and non-randomised studies. Risk of bias was assessed using validated tools. Where possible, meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria including six randomised trials and 17 non-randomised studies of interventions. These included 104,298 patients with a mean/median age range from 44 to 65, of whom 75% were male. Interventions included psychological therapy, pharmacological therapies, specialist clinics, patient education and low alcohol drinks. Baclofen was the only intervention to demonstrate a statistically significant impact on the primary outcomes in a randomised trial (abstinence OR: 6.3, 95% CI: 2.4-16.1). Three non-randomised studies reported reductions in episodes of hepatic decompensation that were significant in multivariate models. This was in response to psychological therapy, use of any pharmacotherapy, and use of any treatment. A meta-analysis of non-randomised studies that examined the impact of psychological therapies revealed statistically non-significant improvements in abstinence (4 studies, OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 0.38-9.23) and mortality (4 studies, OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.12-1.77). CONCLUSIONS: Baclofen is the only intervention with randomised trial evidence for significant benefit in patients with cirrhosis. Non-randomised studies also point to non-pharmaceutical interventions possibly improving clinical outcomes.

Description

Keywords

alcohol use disorder, alcohol-associated hepatitis, alcohol-related cirrhosis, baclofen, meta-analysis, pharmacotherapy, psychological therapy, systematic review

Journal Title

Aliment Pharmacol Ther

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0269-2813
1365-2036

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health and Care Research (302571)