David Yamini1, Scott Hyunsoo Lee2, Armine Avanesyan2, Michael Walter2, Bruce Runyon3. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA davidyamini@gmail.com. 2. Department of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. 3. Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract
AIM: To report the efficacy and safety of baclofen in improving clinical state in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. METHOD: Single center, open, retrospective study analyzing the effects of baclofen utilized over 12 months in patients with alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis and alcohol dependence on these liver parameters: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (Tbili), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), albumin and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. RESULTS: Out of 40 patients, 35 were treated with baclofen. On average, baclofen was used for 5.8 months. A significant decrease in the mean AST, ALT, Tbili, INR, PT and MELD score was seen when comparing pre-baclofen use compared with post-baclofen use. Of the 35 patients who were started on baclofen, 34 (97%) remained abstinent. There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Baclofen's safety and efficacy in improving the clinical condition patients with alcoholic liver disease has been supported. Randomized prospective studies with longer duration of baclofen in this population may further optimize its use and corroborate efficacy.
AIM: To report the efficacy and safety of baclofen in improving clinical state in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. METHOD: Single center, open, retrospective study analyzing the effects of baclofen utilized over 12 months in patients with alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis and alcohol dependence on these liver parameters: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (Tbili), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), albumin and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. RESULTS: Out of 40 patients, 35 were treated with baclofen. On average, baclofen was used for 5.8 months. A significant decrease in the mean AST, ALT, Tbili, INR, PT and MELD score was seen when comparing pre-baclofen use compared with post-baclofen use. Of the 35 patients who were started on baclofen, 34 (97%) remained abstinent. There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS:Baclofen's safety and efficacy in improving the clinical condition patients with alcoholic liver disease has been supported. Randomized prospective studies with longer duration of baclofen in this population may further optimize its use and corroborate efficacy.
Authors: Ashwani K Singal; Sudha Kodali; Lee A Vucovich; Victor Darley-Usmar; Thomas D Schiano Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2016-06-02 Impact factor: 3.455