History of marijuana use does not affect outcomes on the liver transplant waitlist.

BACKGROUND:

Data are limited on marijuana use and its impact on liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes. We aimed to assess the risk of waitlist mortality/delisting and likelihood of LT among prior marijuana users, and to determine the prevalence and factors associated with marijuana use.

METHODS:

Retrospective cohort of adults evaluated for LT over 2 years at a large LT center. Marijuana use defined by self-report in psychosocial assessment and/or positive urine toxicology. Ongoing marijuana use was not permitted for LT listing during study period.

RESULTS:

884 adults were evaluated and 585 (66%) were listed for LT (median follow up 1.4 years, IQR 0.5-2.0). Prevalence of marijuana use was 48%, with 7% being recent users and 41% prior users. Marijuana use had statistically significant association with alcoholic cirrhosis (IRR=1.9) and hepatitis C (IRR=2.1) vs. hepatitis B, tobacco use (prior IRR=1.4; recent IRR=1.3 vs. never), alcohol use (never IRR 0.1; heavy use/abuse IRR 1.2 vs. social), and illicit drug use (prior IRR=2.3; recent =1.9 vs. never). In adjusted competing risk regression, marijuanause was not associated with the probability of LT (prior HR 0.9; recent HR=0.9 vs. never) or waitlist mortality/delisting (prior HR 1.0; recent HR 1.0 vs. never). However, recent illicit drug use was associated with higher risk of death or delisting (HR 1.8, p=0.004 vs. never).

CONCLUSIONS:

Unlike illicit drug use, marijuana use was not associated with worse outcomes on the LT waitlist. Prospective studies are needed to assess ongoing marijuana use on the LT waitlist and post-LT outcomes.