The prevalence of alcohol-associated cirrhosis is increasing. In this respect, we investigated the long-term impact of non-abstinence on the clinical course of alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

We retrospectively evaluated 440 patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (compensated cirrhosis: n = 190; decompensated cirrhosis: n = 250) diagnosed between January 2000 and July 2017 who consumed alcohol until diagnosis of cirrhosis. We assessed liver-related outcomes including first and further decompensating events (ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy), and death in relation to continued alcohol use.

Overall, 53.6% of patients remained abstinent (compensated cirrhosis: 57.9%; decompensated cirrhosis: 50.4%). Non-abstinent versus abstinent patients with compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis showed significantly higher 5-year probability of first decompensation (80.2% vs. 36.8%; P < 0.001) and further decompensation (87.9% vs. 20.6%; P < 0.001), respectively. Five-year survival was substantially lower among non-abstinent patients with compensated cirrhosis (45.9% vs. 90.7%; P < 0.001) and decompensated cirrhosis (22.9% vs. 73.8%; P < 0.001) compared to abstinent. Non-abstinent versus abstinent patients of the total cohort showed an exceedingly lower 5-year survival (32.2% vs. 82.4%; P < 0.001). Prolonged abstinence (≥2 years) was required to influence outcomes. Non-abstinence independently predicted mortality in the total cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 3.371; confidence interval [CI]: 2.388–4.882; P < 0.001) along with the Child-Pugh class (HR: 4.453; CI: 2.907–6.823; P < 0.001) and higher age (HR: 1.023; CI: 1.007–1.039; P = 0.005).

Liver-related outcomes are worse among non-abstinent patients with alcohol- associated cirrhosis prompting urgent interventions ensuring abstinence.