Liver Allograft Cirrhosis, Retransplant, and Mortality Secondary to Recurrent Disease After Transplant for MASH: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Sukhdeep Jatana; Daniel Krys; Kevin Verhoeff; Janice Y Kung; Uzair Jogiat; Aldo J Montano-Loza; A M James Shapiro; Khaled Dajani; Blaire Anderson; David L Bigam

doi:10.1097/TP.0000000000005276

Liver Allograft Cirrhosis, Retransplant, and Mortality Secondary to Recurrent Disease After Transplant for MASH: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Transplantation. 2024 Dec 11. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000005276. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
² Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
³ Geoffrey and Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
⁴ Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

PMID: 39658843
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000005276

Abstract

Background: Recurrent disease after liver transplant is well recognized for many diseases. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH) are leading indications for liver transplant, and there is scarce knowledge about recurrence-related end outcomes such as retransplant and mortality. This project aims to assess the proportion of patients transplanted for MASH who develop recurrent disease and adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review and pooled proportions meta-analysis was performed by searching the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were studies discussing adult patients with liver transplants secondary to MASH or presumed MASH with recurrent disease-related outcomes. Outcomes were assessed in time frames from <6 mo to ≥5 y.

Results: Of 5859 records, 40 were included (16 157 patients). Recurrent MASLD and MASH (28 studies each) occurred in frequencies of 35%-49% and 11%-24%, respectively. Fibrosis occurred in 4%-25% (13 studies). Recurrent disease-related cirrhosis (13 studies), graft failure (8 studies), and retransplant (9 studies) occurred in 0%-2%, 3%-9%, and 0%-1%, respectively. Recurrent disease-related hepatocellular carcinoma (1 study) and mortality (17 studies) both had a prevalence of 0%. Studies were of moderate or high quality using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies tool.

Conclusions: Recurrent MASLD and MASH after liver transplant occur frequently, but adverse clinical outcomes due to disease recurrence are infrequent, maybe due to insufficient data on long-term follow-up. Long-term outcomes after transplantation for MASLD appear favorable; however, identifying those more likely to have progressive recurrent disease leading to adverse clinical outcomes may allow for pre- and posttransplant interventions to improve outcomes further.