Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
SHR Neuro Krebs Kardio Lipid Stoffw Microb
Hartl, L; Tatscher, E; Weiss, M; Balcar, L; Strassl, R; Jachs, M; Mandorfer, M; Soliman, T; Stadlbauer, V; Schemmer, P; Berlakovich, G; Tilg, H; Schneeberger, S; Trauner, M; Fickert, P; Reiberger, T; Graziadei, I.
The impact of COVID-19 on liver transplantation programs in Austria.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2022; 134(23-24):875-882
Doi: 10.1007/s00508-022-02105-z
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- Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Fickert Peter
- Schemmer Peter
- Stadlbauer-Köllner Vanessa
- Tatscher Elisabeth
- Trauner Michael
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- Abstract:
- BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has affected liver disease management. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Austrian orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) programs, however, has not been systematically investigated. METHODS: All patients listed for OLT in Austria during 2020-2021 were studied. Data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing, vaccinations, infections, mortality and the overall number of OLTs (vs. pre-COVID-19: 2015-2019) were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 490 patients (median age: 58.0 years, 70.4% men, hepatocellular carcinoma: 27.3%) were listed for OLT in Austria in 2020-2021. Alcohol-related cirrhosis (35.3%), cholestatic (16.7%) and viral liver disease (13.9%) were the main etiologies. Of the patients 61.2% underwent OLT and 8.8% died while on the waiting list. The number of OLTs performed during COVID-19 (2020: n = 150; 2021: n = 150) remained unchanged compared to pre-COVID-19 (median: n = 152). Among waiting list patients, 7.7% (n = 31/401) were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 7 (22.6%) of these patients died. By the end of 2021, 45.1% (n = 176/390; 82.8% mRNA vaccinations) and 28.8% (105/365) of patients received 2 and 3 SARS-CoV‑2 vaccinations, respectively. After two SARS-CoV‑2 vaccinations, antibodies more often remained undetectable in patients vaccinated post-OLT (25.6% vs. 6.5% in patients vaccinated pre-OLT; p = 0.034). Patients with three vaccinations after OLT had lower antibody titers than patients vaccinated pre-OLT (post-OLT: 513.5, IQR 44.4-2500.0 vs. pre-OLT: 2500.0, IQR 1462.0-2500.0 BAU/mL; p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The number of OLTs in Austria remained unchanged during COVID-19. SARS-CoV‑2 infections were rare but associated with high mortality in patients on the Austrian OLT waiting lists. SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination rates at the end of 2021 were suboptimal, while serological response was better in patients vaccinated pre-OLT vs. post-OLT.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Male - administration & dosage
- Humans - administration & dosage
- Middle Aged - administration & dosage
- Female - administration & dosage
- Liver Transplantation - administration & dosage
- Pandemics - administration & dosage
- Austria - epidemiology
- COVID-19 Vaccines - administration & dosage
- COVID-19 - epidemiology
- SARS-CoV-2 - administration & dosage
- Liver Neoplasms - administration & dosage
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- SARS-CoV-2
- COVID-19
- Liver cirrhosis
- Liver transplantation
- Vaccination