Telemedicine in alcohol liver disease and transplantation care: Addiction therapy through video-conferencing—A case report

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder is a major public health concern, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol-associated liver disease is a major consequence of alcohol use disorder, with liver transplantation becoming the leading indication for this condition. This abstract describes a case study of a 39-year-old Native American man with severe alcohol-associated liver disease, illustrating the challenges and solutions in providing comprehensive care in a remote location. The patient’s treatment involved a multidisciplinary approach, combining hepatology, addiction therapy, and telemedicine services. Despite initial difficulties, the patient achieved complete abstinence and significant improvement in liver function, avoiding the need for transplantation. This case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary care and the potential of telemedicine for managing complex cases of alcohol-associated liver disease and alcohol use disorder in remote areas, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.