Vaccination against upper respiratory infections is a matter of survival in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Background Chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, including those with ALD, are particularly susceptible to infections. Thus, respiratory infections such as seasonal flue or COVID 19 may be speculated to be a major threat to these patients. However, despite general recommendations for seasonal flu vaccinations systematic evaluations of the efficacy of such vaccinations are widely lacking. In the current pandemic, substantial evidence on the efficacy on vaccination against upper airway respiratory infection is essential to improve the outcome of patients with Alcoholic liver disease.

Methods Evaluating a large cohort of patients with alcoholic liver disease form the USA with a total of 4667 patients, we investigated the efficacy of vaccination of patients with ALD. As quality of hepatological treatment may have significantly changed and improved over the past several decades the analysis was limited to the years 2000 to 2020.

Results During the last decade vaccinations against several seasonal influenza A variants (H1N1 (p=0.000), H3N2 (p=0.000)), influenza B virus (p=0.000), Massachusetts-2–2010-liver variant (p=0.000), and B-Wisconsin-1-2010 (p=0.006) variant all demonstrated a highly significant survival benefit for these patients.

Discussion and Conclusion Vaccination against ongoing or seasonal viral upper airway infections improves survival of patients with ALD and should therefore be recommended and carried out consistently.

Publication History

Article published online:
26 January 2022