The gut microbiome in alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease: A systematic review of clinical studies
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests a relationship between the gut microbiome and the pathogenesis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD). This systematic review identified studies which investigated the gut microbiome in individuals with an AUD or an AALD. Methods: A search was conducted on October 27, 2022, in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Results: Fifty studies satisfied eligibility criteria. Most studies found evidence for gut dysbiosis in individuals with AUD and AALD. Microbiome intervention studies have mostly been conducted in AALD patients; fecal microbial transplant interventions show the most promise. The majority of studies were conducted cross-sectionally; therefore, the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and alcohol use is unknown. Further, almost all studies have been conducted in predominantly male populations, leaving critical questions regarding sex differences and generalizability. Conclusions: The study summaries and recommendations provided in this review seek to identify areas for further research and to highlight potential gut microbial interventions for AUD and AALD.
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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