Changing trends in the etiology of liver transplantation in Turkiye: A multicenter study

Background and Aim

This study aimed to identify the indications for liver transplantation (LT) based on underlying etiology and to characterize the patients who underwent LT.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional observational study across 11 tertiary centers in Turkiye from 2010 to 2020. The study included 5,080 adult patients.

Results

The mean age of patients was 50.3±15.2 years, with a predominance of female patients (70%). Chronic viral hepatitis (46%) was the leading etiological factor, with Hepatitis B virus infection at 35%, followed by cryptogenic cirrhosis (24%), Hepatitis C virus infection (8%), and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) (6%). Post-2015, there was a significant increase in both the number of liver transplants and the proportion of living donor liver transplants (p<0.001). A comparative analysis of patient characteristics before and after 2015 showed a significant decline in viral hepatitis-related LT (p<0.001), whereas fatty liver disease-related LT significantly increased (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Chronic viral hepatitis continues to be the primary indication for LT in Turkiye. However, the proportions of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and ALD-related LT have seen an upward trend over the years.

A combination of non-invasive tests for the detection of significant fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is not superior to magnetic resonance elastography alone

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the present study were to investigate a combination of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or MRE and fibrosis score 4 (FIB-4) in the detection of significant fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

METHODS

Between November 5, 2021, and March 4, 2022, a total of 119 consecutive patients with MASLD were included. Liver stiffness was measured using liver biopsy, MRE, VCTE, and FIB-4. Data were collected from outpatient visit charts. Significant fibrosis was defined as ≥ stage 2 fibrosis.

RESULTS

All 119 MASLD patients were Caucasian, and their median age was 55 years. MRE, VCTE, and FIB-4 demonstrated significant accuracy in the detection of significant fibrosis with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.848 ± 0.036 (p < 0.001), 0.632 ± 0.052 (p = 0.012), and 0.664 ± 0.051 (p = 0.001), respectively. However, the diagnostic performance of MRE was superior compared to that of VCTE (AUC difference: 0.216 ± 0.053, p < 0.001) and FIB-4 (AUC difference: 0.184 ± 0.058, p = 0.001). With logistic regression analysis, it was determined that when compared to MRE alone, a combination of MRE and TE (p = 0.880) or MRE and FIB-4 (p = 0.455) were not superior for detecting significant fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

MRE alone is an accurate and non-invasive method for the identification of MASLD patients with significant fibrosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Magnetic resonance elastography alone accurately detects significant fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

KEY POINTS

• In routine clinical practice, several non-invasive biochemical-based biomarkers and imaging methods are widely used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. • Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is more accurate than vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or fibrosis score 4 (FIB-4) for assessing liver fibrosis and identifying significant fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. • The combination of MRE and VCTE or MRE and FIB-4 was not superior to MRE alone.

The efficacy and tolerability of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment in a real-world chronic hepatitis C patients cohort

Background and Aim

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of glecaprevir (GLE)/pibrentasvir (PIB) in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Materials and Methods

Between May 2019 and May 2022, 686 patients with CHC, treated with GLE/PIB combination from 21 participating centers in Turkiye, were enrolled in the study.

Results

All patients were Caucasian, and their median age was 56 years. At the start of GLE/PIB treatment, the median serum Hepatitis C virus RNA and serum alanine amino transaminase (ALT) levels were 6.74 log10 IU/mL and 47 U/L, respectively. Fifty-three percent of the patients were infected with genotype 1b, followed by genotype 3 (17%). Diabetes was the more common concomitant disease. The sustained virological response (SVR12) was 91.4% with intent-to-treat analysis and 98.5% with per protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were statistically significant differences between the patients who were i.v. drug users and non-user (88.0% vs. 98.8%, p=0.025). From the baseline to SVR12, the serum ALT levels and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were significantly improved (p<0.001 and p=0.014, respectively). No severe adverse effect was observed.

Conclusion

GLE/PIB is an effective and tolerable treatment in patients with CHC.

TASL Practice Guidance on the Clinical Assessment and Management of Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease and is significantly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. NAFLD has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western countries, and the proportion of NAFLD-related cirrhosis among patients on liver transplantation waiting lists has increased. In light of the accumulated data about NAFLD, and to provide a common approach with multi-disciplines dealing with the subject, it has become necessary to create new guidance for diagnosing and treating NAFLD. This guidance was prepared following an interdisciplinary study under the leadership of the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), Fatty Liver Special Interest Group. This new TASL Guidance is a practical application guide on NAFLD and was prepared to standardize the clinical approach to diagnosing and treating NAFLD patients. This guidance reflects many advances in the field of NAFLD. The proposals in this guidance are meant to aid decision-making in clinical practice. The guidance is primarily intended for gastroenterology, endocrinology, metabolism diseases, cardiology, internal medicine, pediatric specialists, and family medicine specialists.

Factors associated with the development of extrahepatic malignancy in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a single-center longitudinal study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of the present study was to determine incident cases of extrahepatic malignancy in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to identify whether the factors are associated with cancer development.

METHODS

Between 15 January 2001 and 14 March 2021, a total of 1365 patients had been diagnosed with NAFLD were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 59.5 months. The mean age was 50.9 ± 10.9 years. The female gender was predominant (57%). During the follow-up period, 62 extrahepatic malignancies and 11 hepatocellular carcinomas were identified. Of all extrahepatic malignancies, 51 were solid organ malignancies and 11 were hematological malignancies. Female breast cancer was the most frequent (25.8%), followed by thyroid cancer (19.4%), lymphoma (12.9%), and lung cancer (9.7%). In univariate and multivariable analyses, after adjusting for age and sex, the presence of diabetes and high initial baseline gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were significantly associated with the development of extrahepatic malignancies [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3.20, P = 0.036] and HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14-3.38, P = 0.015, respectively). In 424 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients, the development of extrahepatic cancer was significantly associated with the severity of hepatic fibrosis (HR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.36-8.07; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Extrahepatic malignancies are frequently seen in patients with NAFLD. Diabetes mellitus, high baseline GGT levels, and significant hepatic fibrosis are associated with the development of extrahepatic cancer in patients with NAFLD.

Recommendations for Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin and Antiviral Prophylaxis Against Hepatitis B Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

The combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation is considered as the standard of care for prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence. However, the recommended doses, route of administration, and duration of HBIG administration remain unclear. Moreover, hepatitis B immunoglobulin-free prophylaxis with potent nucleos(t)ide analogs has shown promising disease outcomes in preventing hepatitis B virus recurrence. The current recommendations, produced by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver, Acute Liver Failure and Liver Transplantation Special Interest Group, suggest a reduced need for hepatitis B immunoglobulin administration with effective long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus replication using potent nucleos(t) ide analogs after liver transplantation.

Different bismuth-based therapies for eradicating Helicobacter pylori: Randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Bismuth salts are used for treating dyspepsia, and they exert antibacterial effects on Helicobacter pylori. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of three bismuth-containing combination regimens for H. pylori eradication in a Turkish population.

METHODS

In this single-center study, 149 patients, who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection with urea breath test and histopathological examination, were randomized to receive the following therapies for 14 days: (1) bismuth-containing clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CBS-LAC), (2) bismuth-containing levofloxacin-based triple therapy (CBS-LAL), and (3) bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BCQT). Eradication rates were evaluated six weeks after the treatment by performing intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. In addition, data on side effect profiles and patient compliance were collected.

RESULTS

PP and ITT analyses showed that eradication rates were 86% and 81.1%, respectively, with BCQT; 68.3% and 66.7%, respectively, with CBS-LAL therapy; and 65.3% and 59.3%, respectively, with CBS-LAC therapy. Eradication rates obtained using PP and ITT analyses were statistically significant for all the regimens.

CONCLUSION

Addition of bismuth to standard triple and levofloxacin-based regimen did not show an acceptable increase in eradication rates. Therefore, BCQT may be preferred for the first-line treatment of H. pylori infection.

Predictors of Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common tumor worldwide, with an incidence equal to the death rate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We aimed to detect the prognostic factors for HCC patients. We retrospectively analyzed 12 years data of 115 patients who have biopsy-proven HCC. Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with treatment modalities, survival rates, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 93 male patients, and the mean age was 63.5±11.8 years. Most patients had cirrhosis due to hepatitis virus infection. Median follow-up time was 17 months (1 month-9.5 years) after the diagnosis of HCC. The nodule was single in 43 (37.4%) patients, there were 2-3 nodules in 30 (26.1%), and >3 or diffuse nodules in 42 (36.5%) patients. Distribution of treatment modalities was as follows: 23 (20%) patients had liver transplantation, 15 (13%) had HCC resection, 12 patients (10.4%) had radiofrequency ablation (RFA), 26 patients (22.6%) had transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), 2 (1.7%) had alcohol ablation, and 37 patients (32.2%) had no treatment. Tumor sizes of 9 patients (39.1%) in the transplanted group exceeded the Milan criteria. Mean survival was 72±6.9, 78.8 ±12.5, 19.5±2.8, 20.6±4.2, 16.0±5.9 months in those that received transplantation, resection, RFA, TACE, and no treatment, respectively (p<0.001). Survival was significantly poorer in patients >63 years old (p=0.001), with serum albumin level ≤3.4 g/dL (p=0.01), and with diffuse HCC (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival was significantly better in patients who underwent liver transplantation or surgical resection. Tumor number, age, and serum albumin level were the most important prognostic factors related to overall survival.

Fractalkine receptor polymorphism may not be associated with the development and clinical course of ulcerative colitis

Fractalkine (CX3C), a chemokine expressed by epithelial cells within normal and inflamed colorectal mucosa, induces leukocyte adhesion and migration via fractalkine receptor. The aim of this study was to investigate two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the fractalkine receptor gene as a risk factor both for the development and clinical findings of ulcerative colitis. In this study, 51 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 80 controls were recruited. Genotypes of fractalkine receptorc.745G&gt;A (V249I) and c.839C&gt;T (T280M) polymorphisms were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses after polymerase chain reaction.Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of V249I and T280M were not statistically significantly different between UC and control groups (p&gt;0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between fractalkine receptor polymorphisms and clinical findings of UC. We observed no significant difference in fractalkine receptor polymorphism between patients and control group and no genotype-phenotype relation. Therefore, we concluded that fractalkine receptor polymorphisms may not contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of UC.

What is the impact of Helicobacter pylori density on the success of eradication therapy: a clinico-histopathological study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence of any possible association between H. pylori density in the stomach and the efficacy of triple (lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. and amoxicillin 1g b.i.d. for 14 days) and bismuth-containing quadruple (colloidal bismuth subcitrate 300 mg q.i.d., lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d., tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d. and metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d. for 14 days) eradication therapies.

METHODS

Eighty-five cases with H. pylori infection (proved by rapid urease test and histology) were studied. In each case, the density of H. pylori colonization was graded according to the updated Sydney classification. H. pylori eradication was determined via the (14)C-Urea breath test performed 4 weeks after the end of therapy.

RESULTS

The eradication rate of H. pylori was 50% (30 out of 60) in the triple therapy and 92% (23 of 25) in the quadruple therapy group. In the triple therapy group, the eradication rate of H. pylori decreased as the initial density of H. pylori increased (density of H. pylori: 1, 58.3%; 2, 54.5%; 3, 52.4%; 4, 38.5%; 5, 33.3%). In two cases with eradication failure after quadruple therapy, the grades of bacterial density were 1 and 3.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori density, as assessed by histological grading, may predict the usefulness of triple therapy. The higher the H. pylori density, the less effective triple therapy will be at successful eradication of H. pylori. Quadruple therapy does not seem to be negatively affected by bacterial density.

Malignancy risk of small polyps and related factors

The aim of this study was to determine the risk of polyps <6 and between 6 and 10 mm in terms of progression to malignancy and to evaluate the influence of age, gender, and colonic localization on malignancy development. Thirteen hundred sixty-nine polyps <10 mm identified in 680 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Sixty-seven and two-tenths percent of polyps <10 mm were of a neoplastic nature. The incidence of neoplasia was higher in left-sided and small polyps than diminutive polyps. In patients older than 60 years, small polyps showed a higher rate of high-risk histology than diminutive polyps,while the same relationship did not exist in other age groups. In male patients over 60 years of age, the rate of high-risk histology was higher in small polyps than in diminutive polyps.