Liver Transplantation for Cryptogenic Cirrhosis: Where we are

Objectives: This study aimed to compare clinical and immunological features between patients undergoing liver transplantation with cryptogenic cirrhosis and those with determined etiologies.
Methods: Patients who underwent liver transplantation at our institute between March 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographics, laboratory results, and post-transplant outcomes were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Immunoglobulin levels, autoantibodies, and pathological findings were evaluated.
Results: Of 201 patients, 24.4% had cryptogenic cirrhosis. These patients were older (mean age 54.8 years) and had higher BMI (mean 27.3) compared to those with determined etiologies. Immunological biomarkers did not significantly differ between groups. Autoimmune hepatitis was the most common diagnosis upon pathological examination of cryptogenic cases.
Conclusion: Immunological biomarkers did not differentiate cryptogenic cirrhosis from other etiologies in liver transplant patients. Higher BMI was associated with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Pathological examination frequently revealed autoimmune hepatitis in cryptogenic cases.