Hepatic steatosis after liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

NAFLD can occur after liver transplantation (LT), as recurrence or de novo hepatic steatosis (HS). We aimed to evaluate the literature on prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of post-LT HS. Systematic review with meta-analysis through a search on: PUBMED, Scopus, and Web-of-Science, from inception until the September 30, 2021. Forty studies were included, representing 6979 patients. The post-LT HS prevalence was 39.76% (95% CI, 34.06–45.46), with a rising kinetics (11.06% increase per decade, p=0.04), and a geographical distribution (15.10% more prevalent in American continent compared with Europe and Asia). Recurrent HS was up to 5-fold more likely than de novo HS [OR: 5.38 (2.69–10.76)]. Metabolic disturbances were stronger risk factors in the post-LT recipient [obesity: OR: 4.62 (3.07–6.96); metabolic syndrome: OR: 3.26 (2.03–5.25)] as compared with pre-LT recipients, with the exception of diabetes mellitus, which doubled the risk at any set [pre-LT diabetes mellitus: OR: 2.06 (1.58–2.68); post-LT diabetes mellitus: OR: 2.12 (1.73–2.59)]. Donor factors were not the relevant risk factors for post-LT HS and the only immunosuppressive drug associated with increased risk was sirolimus [OR: 1.68 (1.07–2.64)]. The prevalence of post-LT steatohepatitis was 28.82% (19.62–38.03) and the strongest risk factor was pre-LT NAFLD. Limited outcomes data suggest that post-LT HS did not increase the risk for liver cirrhosis or mortality in these studies. Two out of 5 patients submitted to LT will develop post-LT HS, being recurrent HS more common than de novo HS. Diabetes mellitus and post-LT metabolic syndrome are the strongest risk factors for HS and baseline NAFLD for steatohepatitis. All transplanted patients should be enrolled in lifestyle interventions to prevent post-LT metabolic syndrome, and sirolimus should be avoided in high-risk patients.