1
|
John BV, Dang Y, Kaplan DE, Jou JH, Taddei TH, Spector SA, Martin P, Bastaich DR, Chao HH, Dahman B. Liver Stiffness Measurement and Risk Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After HCV Eradication in Veterans With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:778-788.e7. [PMID: 38061410 PMCID: PMC10960676 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite a sustained virological response (SVR). We examined whether post-SVR liver stiffness measurement (LSM) could be used to stratify HCC risk. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of 1850 participants identified from the Veterans Health Administration, with HCV cirrhosis and SVR, followed up over 5099 person-years, from the time of post-SVR elastography until death, HCC, or the end of the study. RESULTS The risk of HCC increased by 3% with every 1-kPa increase in LSM (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04; P < .001) and decreased with the number of years from SVR (aHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.90; P = .0003). The adjusted annual risk of HCC was 2.03% among participants with post-SVR LSM <10 kPa, 2.48% in LSM 10-14.9 kPa (aHR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01-2.88; P = .046), 3.22% for LSM 15-19.9 kPa (aHR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.78-3.20; P = .20), 5.07% among LSM 20-24.9 kPa (aHR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.30-5.01; P = .01), and 5.44% in LSM ≥25 kPa (aHR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.74-5.26; P < .0001). The adjusted annual risk of HCC was < 0.4% in participants with LSM <5 kPa and without diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS LSM predicts rates of HCC in patients with HCV cirrhosis after SVR at multiple cutoff levels and offers a single test to predict portal hypertension-related complications and HCC. Patients with LSM <5 kPa in the absence of diabetes mellitus had a low risk of HCC in which surveillance could be discontinued.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical System, Miami, Florida; Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| | - Yangyang Dang
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - David E Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Janice H Jou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Portland VA Medical Center and Oregon Health University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Tamar H Taddei
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Seth A Spector
- Department of Surgery, Miami VA Medical System, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Paul Martin
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Dustin R Bastaich
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Hann-Hsiang Chao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Central Virginia Health System and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chin A, Bastaich DR, Dahman B, Kaplan DE, Taddei TH, John BV. Refractory hepatic hydrothorax is associated with increased mortality with death occurring at lower MELD-Na compared to cirrhosis and refractory ascites. Hepatology 2024; 79:844-856. [PMID: 37625139 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although refractory hepatic hydrothorax (RH) is a serious complication of cirrhosis, waitlisted patients do not receive standardized Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) exemption because of inadequate evidence suggesting mortality above biochemical MELD. This study aimed to examine liver-related death (LRD) associated with RH compared to refractory ascites (RA). APPROACH AND RESULTS This was a retrospective cohort study of Veterans with cirrhosis. Eligibility criteria included participants with RH or RA, followed from their first therapeutic thoracentesis/second paracentesis until death or transplantation. The primary outcome was LRD with non-LRD or transplantation as competing risk. Of 2552 patients with cirrhosis who underwent therapeutic thoracentesis/paracentesis, 177 met criteria for RH and 422 for RA. RH was associated with a significantly higher risk of LRD (adjusted HR [aHR] 4.63, 95% CI 3.31-6.48) than RA overall and within all MELD-sodium (MELD-Na) strata (<10 aHR 4.08, 95% CI 2.30-7.24, 10-14.9 aHR 5.68, 95% CI 2.63-12.28, 15-24.9 aHR 4.14, 95% CI 2.34-7.34, ≥25 aHR 7.75, 95% CI 2.99-20.12). LRD was higher among participants requiring 1 (aHR 3.54, 95% CI 2.29-5.48), 2-3 (aHR 4.39, 95% CI 2.91-6.63), and ≥4 (aHR 7.89, 95% CI 4.82-12.93) thoracenteses relative to RA. Although participants with RH and RA had similar baseline MELD-Na, LRD occurred in RH versus RA at a lower MELD-Na (16.5 vs. 21.82, p =0.002) but higher MELD 3.0 (27.85 vs. 22.48, p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS RH was associated with higher risk of LRD than RA at equivalent MELD-Na. By contrast, MELD 3.0 may better predict risk of LRD in RH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison Chin
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dustin R Bastaich
- Department of Biostatistics, Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - David E Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tamar H Taddei
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical System, Miami, Florida, USA
- Division of Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Z, Hu Y, Zou B. The vaccine-response in patients with cirrhosis after COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic analysis of 168,245 patients with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2023; 79:e157-e162. [PMID: 37400016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Department of Paediatric Genetics, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Bingwen Zou
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Luxenburger H, Thimme R. SARS-CoV-2 and the liver: clinical and immunological features in chronic liver disease. Gut 2023; 72:1783-1794. [PMID: 37316169 PMCID: PMC10423489 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect the liver in healthy individuals but also influences the course of COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). As described in healthy individuals, a strong SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immune response is important for the outcome of COVID-19, however, knowledge on the adaptive immune response in CLD is limited.Here, we review the clinical and immunological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with CLD. Acute liver injury occurs in many cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be induced by multiple factors, such as cytokines, direct viral infection or toxic effects of COVID-19 drugs. In individuals with CLD, SARS-CoV-2 infection may have a more severe course and promote decompensation and particularly in patients with cirrhosis. Compared with healthy individuals, the SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immune responses is impaired in patients with CLD after both, natural infection and vaccination but improves at least partially after booster vaccination.Following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, rare cases of acute vaccine-induced liver injury and the development of autoimmune-like hepatitis have been reported. However, the concomitant elevation of liver enzymes is reversible under steroid treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Luxenburger
- Department of Medicine II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases), Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases), Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
John BV, Bastaich D, Webb G, Brevini T, Moon A, Ferreira RD, Chin AM, Kaplan DE, Taddei TH, Serper M, Mahmud N, Deng Y, Chao HH, Sampaziotis F, Dahman B. Ursodeoxycholic acid is associated with a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced severity of COVID-19 in patients with cirrhosis. J Intern Med 2023; 293:636-647. [PMID: 37018129 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies have demonstrated that reducing farnesoid X receptor activity with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) downregulates angiotensin-converting enzyme in human lung, intestinal and cholangiocytes organoids in vitro, in human lungs and livers perfused ex situ, reducing internalization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the host cell. This offers a potential novel target against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of our study was to compare the association between UDCA exposure and SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as varying severities of COVID-19, in a large national cohort of participants with cirrhosis. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study among participants with cirrhosis in the Veterans Outcomes and Costs Associated with Liver cohort, we compared participants with exposure to UDCA, with a propensity score (PS) matched group of participants without UDCA exposure, matched for clinical characteristics, and vaccination status. The outcomes included SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic, at least moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19, and COVID-19-related death. RESULTS We compared 1607 participants with cirrhosis who were on UDCA, with 1607 PS-matched controls. On multivariable logistic regression, UDCA exposure was associated with reduced odds of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.71, p < 0.0001). Among patients who developed COVID-19, UDCA use was associated with reduced disease severity, including symptomatic COVID-19 (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39-0.73, p < 0.0001), at least moderate COVID-19 (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.81, p = 0.005), and severe or critical COVID-19 (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.94, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS In participants with cirrhosis, UDCA exposure was associated with both a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and reduction in symptomatic, at least moderate, and severe/critical COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical System, Miami, Florida, USA
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dustin Bastaich
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gwilym Webb
- Cambridge Liver Unit, Cambridge University Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Teresa Brevini
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Moon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Raphaella D Ferreira
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical System, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Allison M Chin
- Herbert Wertheim Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - David E Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tamar H Taddei
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Section of Gastroenterology, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Marina Serper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nadim Mahmud
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yangyang Deng
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Hann-Hsiang Chao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Central Virginia Health System, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Fotios Sampaziotis
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Liver Unit, Cambridge University Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020452. [PMID: 36851329 PMCID: PMC9966438 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to a pandemic with more than 6.5 million deaths worldwide. Patients with liver cirrhosis (PWLC) are regarded as prone to severe COVID-19. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been proven to be the most effective measure against COVID-19 and a variety of different vaccines have been approved for use; namely mRNA and vector-based, inactivated, whole virion, and protein subunit vaccines. Unfortunately, only a small number of PWLC were included in phase I-III vaccine trials, raising concerns regarding their efficacy and safety in this population. The authors, in this review, present available data regarding safety and efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in PWLC and discuss post-vaccination antibody responses. Overall, all vaccines seem to be extremely safe, with only a few and insignificant adverse events, and efficient, leading to lower rates of hospitalization and COVID-19-related mortality. T- and B-cell responses, on the other hand, remain an enigma, especially in patients with decompensated disease, since these patients show lower titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in some studies, with a more rapid waning. However, this finding is not consistent, and its clinical impact is still undetermined.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ferreira RD, John BV. Viral Vector Vaccines Are Victorious Against COVID-19 in Patients with Cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:349-351. [PMID: 35947303 PMCID: PMC9363849 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07644-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raphaella D Ferreira
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
John BV, Dahman B. Reply. Hepatology 2023; 77:E14-E16. [PMID: 36054711 PMCID: PMC9538554 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Binu V. John
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMiami VA Health SystemMiamiFloridaUSA
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and PolicyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Guo R, Zhou Y, Lin F, Li M, Tan C, Xu B. A novel gene signature based on the hub genes of COVID-19 predicts the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:981604. [PMID: 36147332 PMCID: PMC9489050 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.981604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence has demonstrated that there was a strong correlation between COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the studies are limited, and the real biological mechanisms behind the IPF progression were still uncleared.Methods: GSE70866 and GSE 157103 datasets were downloaded. The weight gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) algorithms were conducted to identify the most correlated gene module with COVID-19. Then the genes were extracted to construct a risk signature in IPF patients by performing Univariate and Lasso Cox Regression analysis. Univariate and Multivariate Cox Regression analyses were used to identify the independent value for predicting the prognosis of IPF patients. What’s more, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to unveil the potential biological pathways. CIBERSORT algorithms were performed to calculate the correlation between the risk score and immune cells infiltrating levels.Results: Two hundred thirty three differentially expressed genes were calculated as the hub genes in COVID-19. Fourteen of these genes were identified as the prognostic differentially expressed genes in IPF. Three (MET, UCHL1, and IGF1) of the fourteen genes were chosen to construct the risk signature. The risk signature can greatly predict the prognosis of high-risk and low-risk groups based on the calculated risk score. The functional pathway enrichment analysis and immune infiltrating analysis showed that the risk signature may regulate the immune-related pathways and immune cells.Conclusion: We identified prognostic differentially expressed hub genes related to COVID-19 in IPF. A risk signature was constructed based on those genes and showed great value for predicting the prognosis in IPF patients. What’s more, three genes in the risk signature may be clinically valuable as potential targets for treating IPF patients and IPF patients with COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Run Guo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuefei Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang Lin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxing Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunting Tan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chunting Tan, ; Bo Xu,
| | - Bo Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chunting Tan, ; Bo Xu,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
John BV, Dahman B. Reply. Hepatology 2022; 77:E33-E34. [PMID: 36053772 PMCID: PMC9537866 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Binu V. John
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMiami Veterans Affairs Health SystemMiamiFloridaUSA,Division of Digestive Health and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and PolicyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| |
Collapse
|