Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury in African-Americans is associated with greater morbidity and mortality compared to Caucasians

Abstract

Background Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (DILI) is a rare but potentially serious liver disorder and a major cause of significant liver injury. Limited data exist on racial differences in DILI incidence, presentation and course.

Aim & Methods We compared the causative agents, clinical features and outcomes of DILI among self-described African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites (Caucasians) enrolled in the DILIN Prospective Study. Individuals with definite, highly likely, or probable DILI enrolled between Sept 2004 and Feb 2016 were included in this analysis.

Results 144 African-Americans and 841 Caucasian patients met the eligibility criteria. Causal medications varied by race: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole being the most common cause among African-Americans (7.6% vs 3.6%) followed by methyldopa (4% vs <1%), phenytoin (5% vs <1%), isoniazid (4% vs 4%) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (4.1% vs 13.4%). The severity of illness, however, tended to be greater in African-Americans than Caucasians as determined by peak mean bilirubin (14.3 vs 12.8 mg/dL), INR (1.9 vs 1.6) and DILIN severity score (3.0 vs 2.6). The frequency of severe cutaneous reactions was significantly higher in African-Americans (2.1 vs. 0.36% in Caucasians, p=0.048). African-Americans also had higher rates of hospitalization (76.7% vs 57.6%, p<0.001), liver transplantation or liver related death by 6 months (10.2% vs 5.8%, p=0.02 after controlling for selected covariates) and chronic DILI (24% vs. 16%, p=0.06).

Conclusions The most common DILI causative agents differ between African-Americans and Caucasians. African-Americans are more likely to have severe cutaneous reactions and more severe liver injury leading to worse outcomes, including death and liver transplant. [Word Count 250]