Anticoagulation Achieves Recanalization of PVT in Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
However, the benefit of recanalization for overall patient outcomes has yet to be addressed.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 27, 2012
Covering:
Delgado MG et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Jul; 10:776
Patients with Hemochromatosis Often Have Normal Liver Enzyme Tests
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Family history and transferrin saturation should also be used to diagnose this disorder.
Outcomes in Cirrhotic Patients with Variceal Bleeding Despite Primary Prophylaxis with a β-Blocker
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Even with the addition of endoscopic band ligation, such patients are at increased risk for recurrent bleeding and death.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 22, 2012
Covering:
de Souza AR et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Jun; 10:670
Practice Guidelines for Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Three U.S. medical associations issue their first joint recommendations on diagnosing and managing NAFLD.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 22, 2012
Covering:
Chalasani N et al., Hepatology 2012 Jun; 55:2005
CD4 Discordance in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients
In patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus, the combination of a low CD4-cell count with a relatively well-preserved CD4 percentage is associated with ongoing HCV replication, advanced liver disease, and marked lymphopenia.
By Kathryn M. Hollins and Helmut Albrecht, MD
June 18, 2012
Covering:
Claassen CW et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 15; 54:1806
Hull MW et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 15; 54:1798
HCV Coinfection Increases Mortality in Patients with AIDS
Among patients with AIDS, chronic HCV infection is associated with a 50% increase in mortality.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 18, 2012
Covering:
Branch AD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jul 1; 55:137
In HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients, Should Ribavirin Dosing Be Weight-Based?
A randomized study suggests that weight-based dosing is not better than using a fixed dose, but controversy persists.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 4, 2012
Covering:
Rodriguez-Torres M et al., HIV Clin Trials 2012 May/Jun; 13:142
Telbivudine Prevents Mother-to-Child HBV Transmission
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a small, open-label, case-control trial conducted in China, none of the women who received telbivudine during pregnancy passed the hepatitis B virus to her infant.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 1, 2012
Covering:
Pan CQ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 May; 10:520
HBV Reactivation in an HIV-Infected Patient: A Cautionary Tale
Interaction between an inhaled corticosteroid and the patient's antiretroviral regimen apparently triggered the event.
What's the Best Way to Screen HIV-Infected MSM for Acute Hepatitis C?
A comparison of 10 screening strategies identified two that increase life expectancy and are cost-effective.
By Brian R. Wood, MD, and Paul E. Sax, MD
May 25, 2012
Covering:
Linas BP et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 21
Care of Ascites in Patients with Cirrhosis Needs Improvement
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a large database study, less than two thirds of patients received care that met all quality standards. Visiting a gastroenterologist was a predictor of higher-quality care.
News on HIV and HCV Testing, and in Praise of Accurate Screening Tests
Dr. Paul Sax puts the latest news in context in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Radiofrequency Ablation Is Locally Curative for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Also, 5-year survival was similar for RFA and surgical resection in select patients.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 18, 2012
Covering:
Shiina S et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Apr; 107:569
A Review of Drug Interactions of Telaprevir and Boceprevir
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A compendium of information on how these protease inhibitors interact with other drugs often needed by patients with HCV infection
Eating Certain Fish Might Prevent Liver Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a large prospective study in Japan, higher consumption of fish with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids translated to lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Time to Broaden HCV Testing?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Improvements in treatment are changing the calculus of screening the general population for hepatitis C virus infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 8, 2012
Covering:
Coffin PO et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1259
High Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Level Increases Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The finding was for patients with a low hepatitis B virus DNA level.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 4, 2012
Covering:
Tseng T-C et al., Gastroenterology 2012 May; 142:1140
New Tests Predict Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
A battery of quantitative liver-function tests might provide a noninvasive method of risk assessment.
Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use Associated with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A higher rate of recent PPI use was seen in patients with cirrhosis who had SBP versus those who did not.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Goel GA et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Apr; 10:422
HCV Genotype Might Affect Response in Interferon-Free Regimens
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a small exploratory analysis, patients with <$EMPH_O>IL28B<$EMPH_C> genotype CC trended towards greater reductions in viral load than those with genotypes TT or CT.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Chu TW et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Apr; 142:790
Albumin for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: For High-Risk Patients Only
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
More evidence that patients with cirrhosis who have intact renal function and low serum bilirubin levels probably do not need albumin during SBP
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 13, 2012
Covering:
Poca M et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Mar; 10:309
Triple-Drug HCV Therapy for HIV-Coinfected Patients?
In studies presented at CROI 2012, triple-drug therapy led to more side effects and drug interactions than standard regimens — but also had a dramatically higher success rate.
Response to Interferon-Based Therapy in HBV Varies by IL28B Polymorphisms
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
More evidence that host factors matter in the pursuit of successful antiviral therapy
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 30, 2012
Covering:
Sonneveld MJ et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Mar; 142:513
Severe Muscle Wasting Increases Mortality Risk in Patients with Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Clinicians can evaluate their patients using routine computed tomography scans for liver cancer surveillance.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Montano-Loza AJ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Feb; 10:166
Can Coffee Help Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
It seems so. A cross-sectional study suggests that drinking caffeinated coffee might reduce their risk for fibrosis.
