Effects of liver transplantation on the nutritional status of patients with cystic fibrosis

The long-term effects of liver transplantation on nutritional status, body composition and pulmonary function in patients with liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) are poorly defined. We studied 15 patients with CF-associated biliary cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension. Seven underwent liver transplantation (age: 14.8 plus or minus 6.2 years), and eight were treated conservatively (age: 15.9 plus or minus 6.7 years). All patients were evaluated at baseline and thereafter yearly for a median duration of 5 years. During follow-up, transplanted patients gained weight and showed a significant increment in body mass index (P<0.004), whereas patients without transplantation remained stable (P=0.063). Baseline bone mineral content (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan) was lower than normal in all patients (more in transplanted patients) and increased in transplanted patients (P<0.05), but not in patients without transplantation. In both groups percent body fat did not change, whereas fat free mass increased only in the transplant group (P=0.06) (P<0.03 versus nontransplanted patients). Only in transplanted patients' plasma concentrations of vitamin E and A increased (P<0.05 versus nontransplanted patients). Forced respiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity showed similar deterioration in transplanted and in nontransplanted patients. Liver transplantation is associated with long-term beneficial effects on the nutritional status of CF patients and seems to favor bone mineralization.