Hospital Readmissions Common Among Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Many such readmissions are predictable and — perhaps — preventable.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Volk ML et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Feb; 107:247
Mortality from Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Rising in the U.S.
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Age-adjusted mortality for HCV infection surpassed that for HIV infection as of 2007.
Mortality Rate Now Higher for HCV Than HIV Infection in the U.S.
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
As many as 75% of people with HCV infection do not know that they are infected; a one-time screening holds promise for identifying and treating them.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 9, 2012
Covering:
Ly KN et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:271
Rein DB et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:263
Mortality Rates of Live Liver Donors
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Although 90-day rates were higher in such donors than in the general population, long-term rates were similar between groups.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 2, 2012
Covering:
Muzaale AD et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Feb; 142:273
Boceprevir Interacts with Boosted HIV Protease Inhibitors
The interaction could reduce the effectiveness of both drugs.
α-Fetoprotein Screening in Patients with Hepatitis C
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Positive predictive value for hepatocellular cancer was low; AFP screening is not recommended.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 7, 2012
Covering:
Sterling RK et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Jan; 107:64
Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens in Injection-Drug Users
Hepatitis B virus and HIV are coming under control because of harm-reduction programs, but hepatitis C virus continues to be a problem.
Support for a 6-Month Surveillance Interval for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
In patients with cirrhosis, a 6-month interval detected as many cancers as a 3-month interval.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Trinchet JC et al., Hepatology 2011 Dec; 54:1987
Acute Kidney Injury Predicts Mortality in Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
New criteria for renal failure are superior to traditional criteria in predicting 90-day mortality and should be put to use in clinical settings.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Altamirano J et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Jan; 10:65
Serum Ferritin Level Predicts Histologic Severity of NAFLD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Elevated serum ferritin was associated with a twofold increased risk for advanced disease among patients with NAFLD.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Kowdley KV et al., Hepatology 2012 Jan; 55:77
Elevated IgG4 in PSC Might Indicate More-Severe Disease
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Serum immunoglobulin G4 levels >104 mg/dL were found in 22% of patients and were associated with higher Mayo risk scores.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Alswat K et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Jan; 107:56
Highlights from the Conference on Chronic Viral Hepatitis Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Medical models that improve screening and effectiveness of treatment in the community setting are required to reduce the disease burden.
New Antivirals Show Promise for an Interferon-Free Hepatitis C Treatment
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Patients with HCV genotype 1 and previous null response achieved a 36% sustained virologic response at 24 weeks of therapy with daclatasvir and asunaprevir alone.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 18, 2012
Covering:
Lok AS et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366:216
Chung RT., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366:273
Transplant-Associated HCV Transmission
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Stricter guidelines or more-careful adherence to current ones might have prevented hepatitis C virus transmission to kidney and cardiopulmonary-patch recipients.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 11, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Dec 23; 60:1697
New HCV Treatments Look Promising for HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients
Initial efficacy data for boceprevir and telaprevir are favorable, but other options under investigation may prove to be even better.
New Hepatitis C Drugs Improve Genotype 1 Response Rates
The cost: complex regimens and lots of drug toxicity
Liver Fibrosis Progression After Acute HCV Infection in HIV-Positive Patients
The rate of fibrosis progression is initially rapid but subsequently seems to slow down.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury — Or Hepatitis E Virus Infection?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Acute HEV infection is a small but important cause of liver injury that is suspected to be drug induced.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
December 9, 2011
Covering:
Davern TJ et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1665
Entecavir Protects Against Recurrent HBV Infection After Liver Transplantation
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
No episodes of hepatitis B virus flares or graft loss caused by recurrent infection were observed.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
December 9, 2011
Covering:
Fung J et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Oct; 141:1212
Histologic Features Can Differentiate Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Autoimmune Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Investigators report progress in using histologic data to more accurately distinguish between the two conditions.
Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality with NAFLD and Advanced Fibrosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
At 7 years of follow-up, about 20% of patients with NAFLD developed liver complications and 13% died or received a transplant. Adjusted outcomes were favorable compared with similar patients with HCV infection.
Perioperative Death Rate from Bariatric Surgery Is Higher with Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Clinicians should assess whether patients receiving bariatric surgery for obesity have cirrhosis and, if so, possibly refer them to a high-volume center for the procedure.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 18, 2011
Covering:
Mosko JD and Nguyen GC., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011 Oct; 9:897
HCV Treatment Studies at AASLD: Wow . . . and I Mean WOW!
Dr. Paul Sax reviews the "breathtaking" results just presented at The Liver Meeting, in his blog HIV and ID Observations <$EMPH_O>.<$EMPH_C>
Emerging Treatment Options for Severe Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Adding <$EMPH_O>N<$EMPH_C>-acetylcysteine to glucocorticoid therapy did not improve 6-month survival. Early liver transplant did, but in a selectively chosen subgroup.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 10, 2011
Covering:
Nguyen-Khac E et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 10; 365:1781
Mathurin P et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 10; 365:1790
Brown RS Jr., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 10; 365:1836
A Blood Test for Subclinical Hepatic Encephalopathy?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a pilot study of patients with cirrhosis, 3-nitro-tyrosine showed high accuracy in detecting or excluding MHE.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 28, 2011
Covering:
Montoliu C et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2011 Sep; 106:1629
