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Background Many concerns about liver transplantation in alcoholic patients are related to the risk of alcohol recidivism. Starting from 2002, an Alcohol Addiction Unit was formed within the Liver Transplant Centre for the management of alcoholic patients affected by end-stage liver disease and included in the waiting list for transplantation. We evaluated retrospectively the impact of the Alcohol Addiction Unit on alcohol recidivism after transplantation. The relationship between alcohol recidivism and the duration of alcohol abstinence before transplant was evaluated as well. Methods Between 1995 and 2010, 92 cirrhotic alcoholic patients underwent liver transplantation. Clinical evaluation and management of alcohol use in these patients was provided by psychiatrists with expertise in addiction medicine not affiliated to the Liver Transplant Centre before 2002 (n=37; group A), or by the clinical staff of the Alcohol Addiction Unit within the Liver Transplant Centre starting from 2002 (n=55; group B). Results Group B, as compared to group A, showed a significantly lower prevalence of alcohol recidivism (16.4% vs. 35.1%; p=0.038) and a significantly lower mortality (14.5% vs. 37.8%; p=0.01). Furthermore, an analysis of group B patients with either ≥6 months or <6 months of alcohol abstinence before transplantation showed no difference in the rate of alcohol recidivism (21.1% vs. 15.4%; p=ns). Conclusions The presence of an Alcohol Addiction Unit within a Liver Transplant Centre reduces the risk of alcohol recidivism after transplantation. A pre-transplant abstinence period <6 months might be considered, at least in selected patients managed by an Alcohol Addiction Unit.

This is provisional evidence of a dose-response effect for baclofen in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Within our sample showing low ghrelin levels probably related to the impaired nutritional status; patients with higher levels of ghrelin showed higher levels of alcohol craving. These preliminary data indicate that ghrelin could be implicated in the neurobiological mechanisms of alcohol craving, other than a hormone influenced by the nutritional status.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome may develop within 6–24 hours after the abrupt discontinuation or decrease of alcohol consumption. Symptoms can vary from autonomic hyperactivity and agitation to delirium tremens. The gold-standard treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome is represented by benzodiazepines. Among them, different agents (i.e., long-acting or short-acting) and different regimens (front-loading, fixed dose or symptom-triggered) may be chosen on the basis of patient characteristics. Severe withdrawal could require ICU admission and the use of barbiturates or propofol. Other drugs, such as alpha2-agonists (clonidine and dexmetedomidine) and beta-blockers can be used as adjunctive treatments to control neuroautonomic hyperactivity. Furthermore, neuroleptics can help control hallucinations. Finally, other medications for the treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome have been investigated with promising results. These include carbamazepine, valproate, sodium oxybate, baclofen, gabapentin, and topiramate. The usefulness of these agents will be discussed in the text.

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Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune gluten-dependent enteropathy characterized by atrophy of intestinal villi that improves after gluten-free diet (GFD). CD is often associated with extra-intestinal manifestations; among them, several skin diseases are described in CD patients. The present review reports all CD-associated skin manifestations described in the literature and tries to analyze the possible mechanisms involved in this association. The opportunity to evaluate the possible presence of CD in patients affected by skin disorders is discussed.