A Rare Cause of Empyema and Bacteremia Due to Shewanella Species in Alcoholic Cirrhosis Patients: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of Literature

BACKGROUND Shewanella spp. are gram-negative facultative anaerobic, oxidase-positive, motile bacilli that are ubiquitous but commonly occur in seawater and can cause opportunistic infection. Reports on the risk factors for Shewanella infection, its severity, antibiotic susceptibility, and prognosis are limited. This report is of a 78-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis presenting with bacteremia and empyema due to infection with Shewanella spp. CASE REPORT A 78-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B) presented to our emergency room with a high fever. He had eaten raw fish one week prior to admission. Chest computed tomography showed a right unilateral pleural effusion, and he was hospitalized with suspected empyema. Shewanella spp. was detected in the pleural effusion and blood cultures. We initiated piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin empirically and switched to ceftriaxone; the effusion was successfully treated using antibiotics and pleural drainage. However, on hospitalization day 53, the patient died of aspiration pneumonia. In our literature review, we extracted 125 reported cases (including our case) and found that men were disproportionately affected (81%); median age was 61.6 (56-75) years; underlying diseases included hepatobiliary disease (33%), malignancy (25%), and cardiac disease (24%); Shewanella spp. infection sites were skin and soft tissue (35%), respiratory system (18%), and hepatobiliary system (11%); and management included antibiotics (100%), drainage (16%), and debridement (16%). The survival rate was 74% with antibiotics alone. CONCLUSIONS Our case highlights that clinicians should recognize Shewanella spp. as a cause of empyema and bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis, and that microbiological diagnosis with antibiotic sensitivity testing and treatment should be undertaken urgently to prevent fatal sepsis.

Handgrip strength: Best practice for a rapid nutrition screening and risk stratification in male patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, a classification and regression tree analysis study

BACKGROUND

Rapid nutrition screening (NS) is vital for apt management in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC).

AIM

To identify a quick method of NS having high reliability and prognostic significance.

METHODS

NS of patients with ALC was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), handgrip strength (HGS), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and the Royal Free Hospital-Global Assessment (RFH-GA). Baseline clinical and biochemical information were recorded along with 90-day survival data. The classification and regression tree method was used to classify HGS, MUAC, and FFMI values as well nourished (WN), moderately malnourished (MM), and severely malnourished (SM), and their concordance with RFH-GA categories was assessed using Kendall tau-b coefficient. The prognostic proficiency of each method was tested by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

According to the RFH-GA, of 140 male patients with ALC, 13 of 140 (9.3%) were WN, 93 of 140 (66.4%) were MM, and 34 of 140 (26.8%) were SM. HGS has the strongest association with the RFH-GA (Kendall tau-b = 0.772; diagnostic accuracy -81.4%). HGS was found to be the independent predictor of 90-day mortality (26 of 140 [18.6%]; hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98; P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, body mass index, and disease severity. The hazard of mortality was 8.5-times higher in patients with ALC with HGS < 22 kg as compared with those with HGS > 29.

CONCLUSION

HGS is a reliable tool for rapid NS. HGS < 22 kg suggests a high risk for severe malnutrition and is strongly associated with short-term mortality in male patients with ALC.

Fulminant necrotizing fasciitis by Edwardsiella tarda in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis: A case report

We herein present a unique and extremely rare fulminant case of Edwardsiella tarda infection-related necrotizing fasciitis. The patient had alcoholic cirrhosis and preferred to consume raw fish. He experienced painful swelling of the right forearm one day after he got a minor injury when falling from the ladder, and visited our hospital. His accompanied symptoms were diarrhea and general fatigue. His consciousness got deteriorated after the admission. The lesion of the right forearm had spread and the color had deteriorated with epidermolysis in a few hours. Necrotizing soft-tissue infection was suspected, and emergency debridement of the swollen forearm was performed 4 hours after the admission. However, unfortunately, he died of sepsis approximately 5 hours later. Histological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed features consistent with those of necrotizing fasciitis. The bacterial cultures of blood and the wound identified E. tarda. Since this microorganism is usually isolated from aquatic environments and can cause intestinal infection, sometimes followed by bacteremia especially in immunocompromised hosts, two possible infection routes were suspected. One route was from the skin injury, leading to bacteremia. Another possible route was per oral: orally taken E. tarda invaded deeper tissues from the intestine and reach the bloodstream, leading to extraintestinal infections, although direct evidence remains elusive. Raw fish eaten 1 week prior is considered to be the most possible contaminated food. Overall mortality rate of E. tarda bacteremia is very high and the clinician should pay attention on characteristic clinical findings of E. tarda infection on cirrhotic patients.

Patients with early-stage alcohol-associated liver disease are at increased risk of hospital readmission and death

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can develop alcohol-associated fatty liver disease (AFLD). However, the impact of AFLD on outcomes remains unclear. We studied the impact of AFLD on readmission, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality in patients admitted with AUD.

METHODS

Hospitalized patients with AUD between 2011 and 2019 at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively evaluated. Our population included patients with AUD with AFLD: AST and ALT elevation and serum bilirubin <3 mg/dl. Patients with AUD without evidence of liver disease served as control and were labeled as no ALD. Patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) and alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) were included for comparison. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable regression for predictors of mortality and survival were performed.

RESULTS

There were 7522 patients of which 32.44% were female with mean age of 51.86 ± 14.41 years. Patient distribution included no ALD (n = 3775), AFLD (n = 2192), AC (n = 1017) and AH (n = 538) groups. Compared to no ALD group, AFLD group was associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality [4.43% vs. 1.56%, hazard ratio (HR): 2.84; P  < 0.001], overall mortality [15.97% vs. 12.69%, HR 1.40, P  < 0.001], and 30-day readmission [21.85% vs. 18.49%, odds ratio: 1.21; P  < 0.01].

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that AFLD is not a benign entity and poses significant mortality risk. Our results suggest that AFLD may be under-recognized and highlight the need for focused management and close follow-up after discharge.

Meta-analysis: Prevalence and impact of alcohol abstinence in alcohol-associated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Although alcohol abstinence may be an effective intervention for alcohol-associated cirrhosis, its association with prognosis has not been systematically assessed or quantified.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of alcohol abstinence, factors associated with alcohol abstinence and the impact of abstinence on morbidity and overall survival in people with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

METHODS

We searched Medline and Embase from inception to 15 April 2023 for prospective and retrospective cohort studies describing alcohol abstinence in people with known alcohol-associated cirrhosis. Meta-analysis of proportions for pooled estimates was performed. The method of inverse variance, employing a random-effects model, was used to pool the hazard ratio (HR) comparing outcomes of abstinent against non-abstinent individuals with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies involving 18,833 people with alcohol-associated cirrhosis. The prevalence of alcohol abstinence was 53.8% (CI: 44.6%-62.7%). Over a mean follow-up duration of 48.6 months, individuals who continued to consume alcohol had significantly lower overall survival compared to those who were abstinent (HR: 0.611, 95% CI: 0.506-0.738). These findings remained consistent in sensitivity/subgroup analysis for the presence of decompensation, study design and studies that assessed abstinence throughout follow-up. Alcohol abstinence was associated with a significantly lower risk of hepatic decompensation (HR: 0.612, 95% CI: 0.473-0.792).

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol abstinence is associated with substantial improvement in overall survival in alcohol-associated cirrhosis. However, only half of the individuals with known alcohol-associated cirrhosis are abstinent.

Outcome of individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis hospitalized with first decompensation and their predictors

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES

Alcohol is one of most common aetiologies of cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis is linked to higher morbidity and death rates. This study looked at the outcomes and mortality associated risk variables of individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis who had hospitalization with their first episode of decompensation.

METHODS

Individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis who were hospitalized with the first episode of decompensation [acute decompensation (AD) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF)] were included in the study and were prospectively followed up until death or 90 days, whichever was earlier.

RESULTS

Of the 227 study participants analyzed, 167 (73.56%) and 60 (26.43%) participants presented as AD and ACLF, respectively. In the ACLF group, the mortality rate at 90 days was higher than in the AD group (48.3 vs 32.3%, P=0.02). In the AD group, participants who initially presented with ascites as opposed to variceal haemorrhage had a greater mortality rate at 90 days (36.4 vs 17.1%, P=0.041). The chronic liver failure-consortium AD score and the lactate-free Asian Pacific Association for the study of the Liver-ACLF research consortium score best-predicted mortality in individuals with AD and ACLF.

INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS

There is significant heterogeneity in the type of decompensation in individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis. We observed significantly high mortality rate among alcoholic participants hospitalized with initial decompensation; deaths occurring in more than one-third of study participants within 90 days.

Mucormycosis mimicking portal hypertensive haemorrhage as a complication of alcoholic liver cirrhosis: a case report

Mucor is a rare cause of gastrointestinal ulcers. This case describes a case of mucormycosis that occurred in a patient with liver cirrhosis who was hospitalized to accept a splenectomy for traumatic splenic rupture. During the perioperative period, the patient developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB), which was diagnosed as mucormycosis-related gastric ulcer according to gastroscopy. Patients with liver cirrhosis often get UGIB for Portal hypertension, but they also can develop UGIB for multiple other reasons, including infectious ulcers for immunosuppression. The case emphasizes the importance of excluding fungal-induced ulcer haemorrhage before diagnosing Portal hypertensive-induced variceal haemorrhage in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Prevalence of post-liver transplant complications and NASH-related cirrhosis in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Compared to premenopausal women, postmenopausal women are at greater risk of developing NAFLD and NASH, two common indications for liver transplantation (LT). We aim to determine the prevalence of NASH-related cirrhosis in postmenopausal women from a cohort of LT patients and investigate their post-LT complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chart review of 1200 LT patients from 2002-2020 was performed. Postmenopausal women were defined as women over 51 and compared to a control group of men over 51. Prevalence of LT indications was determined. Subgroup analysis assessed cardiovascular disease risk. BMI and ASCVD risk scores were calculated at the time of LT and after 1 year.

RESULTS

510 patients met the inclusion criteria: 189 (37.1%) women and 321 (62.9%) men. The most common indication was NASH for women (26.5%, p<0.001) and alcohol-related cirrhosis for men (23.1%). 53 men and 46 women underwent subgroup analysis. There was no significant difference in BMI or ASCVD 10-year risk post-LT between sexes. MI occurred more in men (n=9.17%) than women (n=1, 2%, p=0.015), with no significant differences in CAD, CHF, or stroke. LT complications occurred less in men (n=5.9%) than women (n=20, 43%, p=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Postmenopausal women were significantly more likely to have NASH as an indication for LT than men. Postmenopausal women had greater weight gain and more noncardiac complications than men. Women did not have increased cardiovascular outcomes, ASCVD risk, or mortality. Diet education and weight control in postmenopausal women with existing risk factors for NASH should be encouraged to modulate health outcomes.

Impact of continued alcohol use on liver-related outcomes of alcohol-associated cirrhosis: a retrospective study of 440 patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The prevalence of alcohol-associated cirrhosis is increasing. In this respect, we investigated the long-term impact of non-abstinence on the clinical course of alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 440 patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (compensated cirrhosis: n  = 190; decompensated cirrhosis: n  = 250) diagnosed between January 2000 and July 2017 who consumed alcohol until diagnosis of cirrhosis. We assessed liver-related outcomes including first and further decompensating events (ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy), and death in relation to continued alcohol use.

RESULTS

Overall, 53.6% of patients remained abstinent (compensated cirrhosis: 57.9%; decompensated cirrhosis: 50.4%). Non-abstinent versus abstinent patients with compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis showed significantly higher 5-year probability of first decompensation (80.2% vs. 36.8%; P  < 0.001) and further decompensation (87.9% vs. 20.6%; P  < 0.001), respectively. Five-year survival was substantially lower among non-abstinent patients with compensated cirrhosis (45.9% vs. 90.7%; P  < 0.001) and decompensated cirrhosis (22.9% vs. 73.8%; P  < 0.001) compared to abstinent. Non-abstinent versus abstinent patients of the total cohort showed an exceedingly lower 5-year survival (32.2% vs. 82.4%; P  < 0.001). Prolonged abstinence (≥2 years) was required to influence outcomes. Non-abstinence independently predicted mortality in the total cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 3.371; confidence interval [CI]: 2.388-4.882; P  < 0.001) along with the Child-Pugh class (HR: 4.453; CI: 2.907-6.823; P  < 0.001) and higher age (HR: 1.023; CI: 1.007-1.039; P  = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Liver-related outcomes are worse among non-abstinent patients with alcohol- associated cirrhosis prompting urgent interventions ensuring abstinence.

A study of genetic variants, genetic risk score and DNA methylation of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 in alcohol liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Genetic and epigenetic factors are associated with the development of alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD). The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs738409 in Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein (PNPLA3) and rs58542926 in Transmembrane 6 Superfamily Member 2 (TM6SF2) are strongly associated with AALD in different global populations, Hence, we analyzed the genetic risk score for these variants and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation levels of the PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genes among cases (alcohol liver cirrhosis) and controls (heavy drinkers without cirrhosis).

METHOD

We studied patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) with cirrhosis (AUD-C + ve, n = 136) and without cirrhosis (AUD-C-ve, n = 107) drawn from the clinical services of St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH) (Gastroenterology and Psychiatry) and Centre for Addiction Medicine (CAM), National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS). Genotype data was generated for rs738409 (PNPLA3) and rs58542926 (TM6SF2) and used to calculate unweighted genetic risk score (uGRS) and weighted genetic risk scores (wGRS). DNA methylation levels were estimated by pyrosequencing at PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 loci.

RESULTS

Overall we observed a significantly higher genetic risk score (weighted genetic risk score, wGRS) in individuals with alcohol use disorder compared to control population (p =  < 0.01). Further, uGRS and wGRS were associated with the diagnosis of cirrhosis, even after correcting for age of onset, quantity and frequency of drinking. We also found hypomethylation at CpG2 of TM6SF2 gene in AUD-C + ve compared to AUD-C-ve (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

We found that a genetic risk score based on SNPs in the PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genes was significantly associated with cirrhosis in patients with AUD, suggesting a potential utility in identifying patients at risk and providing pre-emptive interventions. These may include interventions that aim to alter DNA methylation, which may be one of the mechanisms through which elevated genetic risk may influence the development of cirrhosis.

Abstinence is associated with better outcomes in patients with alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Results of an observational study

BACKGROUND

Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may have reduced survival compared to those with HCC related to other causes. The impact of abstinence in alcohol-related HCC is unknown. We compared access to curative treatment and the prognosis of patients with HCC according to the cause of cirrhosis and evaluated the impact of abstinence on the prognosis of patients with alcohol-related HCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data for patients with cirrhosis and HCC were prospectively collected in a single center. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with access to curative treatment. Multivariate Fine and Gray proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with 5-year survival after adjustment for lead-time bias.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were included, 114 (57 %) with non-alcohol-related HCC and 86 (43 %) with alcohol-related HCC (35 abstainers, 51 consumers). During follow-up, 21 patients were transplanted and 156 died. The proportion of patients who had access to curative treatment was 65 % in abstainers, 44 % in consumers, and 57 % in patients with non-alcohol-related cirrhosis (p = 0.06). In multivariate analyses, abstinence was not associated with better access to curative treatment. After adjustment for lead-time bias, the 5-year cumulative incidence of overall death was significantly lower in abstainers than in consumers and in patients with non-alcohol-related cirrhosis (52 % vs. 78 % vs. 81 %, respectively, p = 0.04). In multivariate analyses, abstainers had lower risk of death than consumers (SHR: 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.28-0.80, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Abstinence improves the outcome of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis once HCC has occurred.

Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018 for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma in alcoholic liver cirrhosis and virus-related cirrhosis

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v2018 for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 3.0 cm on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI according to the etiology of cirrhosis.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) and 37 with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis (HCV) who underwent preoperative MRI and subsequent surgical resection or transplantation were included. For comparison groups, patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBV) were included by 1:1 matching with HCV and ALC groups according to age, lesion size, and Child-Pugh classification. The imaging characteristics of background liver and focal lesions were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of LI-RADS was compared between HCV and HBV groups, and between ALC and HBV groups.

RESULTS

ALC group showed significantly higher frequency of hepatic steatosis (25.8 % vs. 6.1 %, p =.04) and lower frequency of nonperipheral washout on portal venous-phase in HCC (63.2 % vs. 97.1 %, p <.001) compared with HBV group. ALC group showed significantly lower sensitivity than HBV group (52.6 % vs. 88.6 %, p<.001). No significant differences in diagnostic performance were found between HCV and HBV groups. In ALC group, hepatobiliary-phase hypointensity provided significantly higher sensitivity (76.3 % vs. 52.6 %, p =.008).

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of LI-RADS for diagnosing HCC ≤ 3.0 cm was significantly lower in the ALC group than in the HBV group.

Incidence, prevalence and mortality of chronic liver diseases in Sweden between 2005 and 2019

BACKGROUND

Updated data on the incidence, prevalence, and regional differences of chronic liver disease are missing from many countries. In this study, we aimed to describe time trends, incidence, prevalence, and mortality of a wide range of chronic liver diseases in Sweden.

METHODS

In this register-based, nationwide observational study, patients with a register-based diagnosis of chronic liver disease, during 2005-2019, were retrieved from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Annual age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, and prevalence per 100,000 inhabitants was calculated and stratified on age, sex, and geographical region.

RESULTS

The incidence of alcohol-related cirrhosis increased by 47% (2.6% annually), reaching an incidence rate of 13.1/100,000 inhabitants. The incidence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and unspecified liver cirrhosis increased by 217% and 87% (8.0 and 4.3% annually), respectively, reaching an incidence rate of 15.2 and 18.7/100,000 inhabitants, and a prevalence of 24.7 and 44.8/100,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, incidence rates of chronic hepatitis C declined steeply, but liver malignancies have become more common. The most common causes of liver-related mortality were alcohol-related liver disease and unspecified liver disease.

CONCLUSION

The incidence rates of diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-related cirrhosis, unspecified liver cirrhosis, and liver malignancies have increased during the last 15 years. Worryingly, mortality in several liver diseases increased, likely reflecting increasing incidences of cirrhosis in spite of a decreasing rate of hepatitis C. Significant disparities exist across sex and geographical regions, which need to be considered when allocating healthcare resources.

Alcohol Abstinence Improves Prognosis Across All Stages of Portal Hypertension in Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alcohol-related liver disease is a leading cause of liver-related mortality. The effect of alcohol abstinence on the natural history of alcohol-related cirrhosis across distinct stages of portal hypertension has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we assessed the clinical implications of abstinence in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension.

METHODS

Alcohol abstinence, hepatic decompensation, and mortality were assessed in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis who underwent a baseline hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and were diagnosed with clinically significant portal hypertension (HVPG ≥10 mm Hg).

RESULTS

A total of 320 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (median age: 57 [interquartile range (IQR), 49.7-63.1] years; 75.6% male; 87.5% decompensated) and a median HVPG of 20 (IQR, 17-23) mm Hg were followed up for a median of 36 (IQR, 14-80) months. Overall, 241 (75.3%) patients remained abstinent, while 79 (24.7%) patients had active alcohol consumption. Alcohol abstinence was linked to a significantly reduced risk of hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.391; P < .001), as well as liver-related (aHR, 0.428; P < .001) and all-cause (aHR, 0.453; P < .001) mortality, after adjusting for baseline HVPG, MELD, and previous decompensation. Importantly, alcohol abstinence significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation in both groups with HVPG 10-19 mm Hg (P < .001) and HVPG ≥20 mm Hg (P = .002). The 3-year decompensation probability was 32.4% vs 60.0% in HVPG 10-19 mm Hg and 57.5% vs 82.6% in HVPG ≥20 mm Hg for abstinent patients vs active drinkers, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol abstinence improves prognosis across all stages of portal hypertension in alcohol-related cirrhosis, including in patients who have already progressed to high-risk portal hypertension. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT03267615).

Decompensation as initial presentation in patients with liver cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of future decompensation and mortality

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The clinical course of patients with liver cirrhosis and adherence to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening guidelines are not well studied in the Netherlands. We investigated this and potential risk factors for decompensation and transplant-free survival (TFS) in a large regional cohort.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with confirmed liver cirrhosis in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Clinical parameters, decompensation events, development of HCC, and medication use were extracted from medical records.

RESULTS

In total, 681 hospitalized and outpatients were included. Mortality risk was increased by: age (aHR 1.07, p < 0.01), smoking (aHR 1.83, p < 0.01), decompensated initial presentation (aHR 1.43, p = 0.04) and increased MELD (aHR 1.07, p < 0.01). PPI use tended to increase mortality risk (aHR 1.35, p = 0.05). The risk of future decompensation was increased with increased age (aHR 1.02, p < 0.01), decompensated initial presentation (aHR 1.37, p = 0.03) and alcohol misuse as etiology (aHR 1.34, p = 0.04). Adequately screened patients for HCC had a longer TFS compared to patients who were not (48 vs 22 months), p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with cirrhosis, decompensation at initial presentation was associated with an increased risk of future decompensation and mortality. Alcoholic cirrhosis was associated with an increased risk of future decompensation. Adequate HCC surveillance was associated with markedly better survival.

Alcohol use and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES

Insights into risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (ALD cirrhosis) are important for decisions about HCC surveillance. We studied the effects of continued hazardous alcohol use in ALD cirrhosis on HCC risk.

METHODS

Within a nationwide registry-based cohort of patients with ALD cirrhosis, we compared HCC risk between patients with a continued hazardous alcohol use and matched comparators. We used Fine-Gray regression to compare the risk of HCC and Cox regression to compare all-cause mortality. We also included patients with ALD cirrhosis in a clinical case-control study. Cases had HCC, and controls did not. Alcohol use was quantified using the AUDIT-C-questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between hazardous alcohol use and HCC risk.

RESULTS

In the registry-based study, we included 8,616 patients with continued hazardous alcohol use and 8,616 matched comparators. Patients with a continued hazardous alcohol use had a lower HCC risk (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57 - 0.72) and higher mortality (hazard ratio: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.56 - 1.67). In the clinical study, we included 146 patients with ALD cirrhosis of whom 53 had newly diagnosed HCC. Hazardous alcohol use was insignificantly associated with a lower HCC risk (odds ratio: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.25 - 1.46).

CONCLUSIONS

Hazardous alcohol use in patients with ALD cirrhosis is associated with higher mortality and, consequently, a lower HCC risk. Even if alcohol is carcinogenic, HCC surveillance will therefore likely be more effective in patients with ALD cirrhosis without a hazardous alcohol use.

Testosterone is lower in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related cirrhosis and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Low serum testosterone is common in cirrhotic men, but the impact of disease aetiology remains uncertain. This study compares serum total testosterone (TT) levels by disease aetiology and assesses its prognostic value.

METHODS

Single-centre retrospective study of cirrhotic men who had TT levels measured between 2002 and 2020. A cut-off of 12 nmol/L was used to define low TT and 230 pmol/L for calculated free testosterone (cFT). Linear and logistic regression used to adjust for variables known to affect testosterone levels and assess for an association between levels and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 766 cirrhotic men, 33.3% had alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and 11.9% had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The median age was 56 years (interquartile range (IQR) 50-61), and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score 14 (IQR 9-20). TT levels were low in 53.3% of patients, (median 11.0 nmol/L; IQR 3.7-19.8) and cFT low in 79.6% (median 122 pmol/L; IQR 48.6-212). Median TT was lower in men with ALD (7.6 nmol/L; IQR 2.1-16.2) and NAFLD (9.8 nmol/L; IQR 2.75-15.6) compared to other aetiologies (11.0 nmol/L; IQR 3.73-19.8) (p < 0.001 for all), which remained true after adjustment for age and MELD score. TT was inversely associated with 12-month mortality or transplant (381 events, p = 0.02) and liver decompensation (345 events, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum testosterone is common in cirrhotic men and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. TT levels are significantly lower in ALD and NAFLD compared to other disease aetiologies. Further large-scale studies are required to assess the potential benefits of testosterone therapy.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis: a study across 10 years

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Available data regarding cardiomyopathy in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) are very limited because it often requires multidisciplinary assessments. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in ALC and their clinical correlations.

METHODS

Adult ALC patients without a previous diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. The prevalence rate of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in patients with ALC was calculated together with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using the Clopper-Pearson exact method.

RESULTS

A total of 1022 ALC patients were included. Male patients predominated (90.5%). ECG abnormalities were observed in 353 patients (34.5%). Prolonged QT interval was most common in ALC patients with ECG abnormalities, which occurred in 109. Thirty-five ALC patients underwent the cardiac MRI examination and only one patient was found with cardiomyopathy. The estimated prevalence rate of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in all the ALC patients was 0.0286 (95% CI, 0.0007-0.1492). There was no statistical difference regarding the prevalence rate between the group of patients with ECG abnormalities and the group without ECG abnormalities (0.0400 vs. 0.0000, P  = 1.000).

CONCLUSION

Although ECG abnormalities, especially QT prolongation, existed in a proportion of ALC patients, cardiomyopathy in the patient population was not common. Further larger-sample studies based on cardiac MRI are needed to verify our results.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence in Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, pooled estimates of HCC incidence in alcohol-associated cirrhosis have not been evaluated systematically. We performed a pooled analysis of time-to-event data to provide robust estimates for the incidence of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2021. Individual patient data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves, and a pooled analysis of cumulative HCC incidence was performed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

We screened 5022 articles and included 18 studies (148,333 patients). In the pooled analysis, the cumulative incidence of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis at 1, 5, and 10 years among studies that accounted for the competing risk of death without HCC was 1%, 3%, and 9%, respectively. A secondary analysis by traditional meta-analysis determined that the HCC incidence rate was higher in cohorts enrolled in a HCC surveillance program (18.6 vs 4.8 per 1000 person-years; P = .001) vs those who were not enrolled in a surveillance program. Meta-regression showed that diabetes, smoking, variceal bleeding, and hepatic decompensation were associated with a higher risk of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis determined that the 5- and 10- year cumulative risk of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis was 3% and 9%, respectively, with a higher incidence in cohorts that were enrolled in a HCC surveillance program. These data should be validated further in large prospective studies, and may have important implications for HCC screening and surveillance among patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

Baclofen Combined With Psychosocial Care is Useful and Safe in Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis Patients: A Real-Life Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Alcohol-related cirrhosis is a frequent and difficult-to-treat disease. Despite the low hepatic metabolism of baclofen, data on its use in this subgroup are scarce. The French multicenter Observatory of patients treated with Baclofen for Alcohol DEpendence real-life cohort assessed: (a) prescription modalities of baclofen in liver units; (b) safety profile of baclofen; and (c) declared alcohol intake, biological markers of excessive alcohol intake and hepatic function at 12 months.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with cirrhosis who received baclofen to reduce alcohol consumption or maintain abstinence were prospectively included. Psychosocial management was always associated. Clinical and biological data were collected every 3 months for 1 year.

RESULTS

Between November 2013 and December 2016, 71 in- or outpatients were included from 10 liver units. Of the patients, 25% had ascites. After 12 months, 52 patients (73%) were still being followed, and 41 (57.7%) were still receiving baclofen at a mean dosage of 75 mg/day (r30-210). The overall declared consumption decreased from 100.2 to 14.7 g/day (P < 0.0001), and 29 patients (40.8%) reached abstinence. Significant improvement in the usual biomarkers of excessive alcohol intake (AST, GGT and MCV) and liver function (Prothrombin ratio (PTr), albumin levels) were observed. The usual side effects such as drowsiness were frequent (22%) but no serious adverse events (AEs) or overt encephalopathy related to baclofen was reported.

CONCLUSION

In this 1-year follow-up series, baclofen was combined with psychosocial treatment in patients with cirrhosis and was well tolerated. This treatment was associated with a significant decrease in declared alcohol consumption as well as improvement in hepatic function.

Factors predicting mortality in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis visiting the emergency department

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is becoming a regional and healthcare burden. South Korea is one of the 10 countries with the highest age standardized prevalence of decompensated LC. Moreover, the proportion of patients with alcoholic LC is increasing and there has been no decrease in the incidence of decompensated alcoholic LC. Patients with decompensated LC frequently visit the emergency department (ED). Several studies focused on patients with LC who visited the ED, but the studies about alcoholic LC were limited. This study aimed to identify predicting factors for mortality in alcoholic LC patients visiting the ED. This was a retrospective study of alcoholic LC patients who visited an ED between November 2017 and June 2021. The baseline characteristics, complications of LC, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and laboratory values including lactate were assessed. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. In total, 433 patients with alcoholic LC were included for analysis and the in hospital mortality rate was 15.9% (n = 69). Univariate regression analyses identified that MELD score, lactate, platelet, international normalized ratio, bilirubin, creatinine, albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) predicted in-hospital mortality. Multivariate regression analysis showed that MELD score, lactate, albumin, and CRP were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. MELD score, lactate, albumin, and CRP predicted the mortality in alcoholic LC patients visiting the ED.

Genetic variation in TERT modifies the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in alcohol-related cirrhosis: results from a genome-wide case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often develops in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis at an annual risk of up to 2.5%. Some host genetic risk factors have been identified but do not account for the majority of the variance in occurrence. This study aimed to identify novel susceptibility loci for the development of HCC in people with alcohol related cirrhosis.

DESIGN

Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and HCC (cases: n=1214) and controls without HCC (n=1866), recruited from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the UK, were included in a two-stage genome-wide association study using a case-control design. A validation cohort of 1520 people misusing alcohol but with no evidence of liver disease was included to control for possible association effects with alcohol misuse. Genotyping was performed using the InfiniumGlobal Screening Array (V.24v2, Illumina) and the OmniExpress Array (V.24v1-0a, Illumina).

RESULTS

Associations with variants rs738409 in PNPLA3 and rs58542926 in TM6SF2 previously associated with an increased risk of HCC in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis were confirmed at genome-wide significance. A novel locus rs2242652(A) in TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) was also associated with a decreased risk of HCC, in the combined meta-analysis, at genome-wide significance (p=6.41×10-9, OR=0.61 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.70). This protective association remained significant after correction for sex, age, body mass index and type 2 diabetes (p=7.94×10-5, OR=0.63 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.79). Carriage of rs2242652(A) in TERT was associated with an increased leucocyte telomere length (p=2.12×10-44).

CONCLUSION

This study identifies rs2242652 in TERT as a novel protective factor for HCC in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

[An anatomical case of obstructive jaundice due to the rapid enlargement of hepatic peribiliary cysts in end-stage alcoholic liver cirrhosis]

A man in his 60s had end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis. About six months before his death, hepatic peribiliary cysts (HPBC) rapidly increased, and he developed jaundice and liver failure. The pathological autopsy performed after his death revealed that his intrahepatic bile duct was pressured due to multiple cysts caused by HPBC, which resulted in liver failure. Some cases of HPBC have been associated with alcoholic cirrhosis;however, no other cases of increased HPBC in a short period of time have been reported. Although identifying the cause of increased HPBC in a short time is difficult in this case, it may be have been caused by continuous alcohol drinking after the onset of HPBC. Most patients with HPBC have liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice that may promote liver failure as in this case. Therefore, patients with HPBC should not only be instructed for abstinence but also promptly consider effective treatments in the event of obstructive jaundice to prevent liver dysfunction.

Predictive Factors for the Prognosis of Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is a disease with multiple complications and is associated with poor prognosis and significant mortality. Identifying risk factors associated with a poor outcome is important to ensure effective treatment and increase life expectancy. We aimed to evaluate the predictive values of complications regarding mortality in ALC. We retrospectively analyzed 1429 patients with ALC hospitalized between January 2019 and April 2022 at the Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Iasi. The electronic medical records were interrogated to obtain information about demographic data, complications, comorbidities, and prognostic scores: MELD-Na (model for end-stage liver disease-sodium) and CTP (Child−Turcotte−Pugh). Based on uni- and multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 56.15 ± 11.49 years with a ratio of 2:1 in favor of males. There were 296 deaths (20.8%), most of them during the first hospitalization (208/14.6%). It was observed during the univariate analysis that complications of the disease negatively affected the survival rate, significant values being related to infections (sepsis; OR = 21.98; p < 0.001; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (OR = 11.94; p < 0.001) and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) (OR = 9.35; p < 0.001). The independent predictors, confirmed by multivariate analysis, were the association of variceal bleeding, infections, and hepatic encephalopathy or ascites, each combination being responsible for two out of 10 of the deaths during the first admission. The prognosis of the disease was negatively influenced by the worsening of liver dysfunction and the appearance of complications. The main predictors of mortality were infections, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, and hepatorenal syndrome. Improving compliance and strict application of specific follow-up and treatment strategies could contribute to a better prognosis of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Red blood cell distribution width derivatives in alcohol-related liver cirrhosis and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

Looking for undiscovered blood markers of liver fibrosis and steatosis still remains an issue worth exploring. There are still plenty of unresolved issues related to the actual role of hematological indices as potential markers of liver function.

AIM

To study red blood cell distribution width (RDW), RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR) and RDW-to-lymphocyte ratio (RLR) in alcohol-related liver cirrhosis (ALC) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

METHODS

The study group was composed of 302 people: 142 patients with ALC and 92 with MAFLD; 68 persons were included as controls. RDW, RPR and RLR were measured in each person. Indirect and direct parameters of liver fibrosis were also assessed [aspartate transaminase to alkaline transaminase ratio, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR), procollagen I carboxyterminal propeptide, procollagen III aminoterminal propeptide, transforming growth factor-α, platelet-derived growth factor AB, laminin]. MELD score in ALC patients and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score together with BARD score were obtained in the MAFLD group. The achieved results were compared to controls. Then a correlation between assessed markers was done. Diagnostic value of each investigated parameter and its suggested cut-off in the research group were evaluated with area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

RDW, RPR and RLR values turned out to be significantly higher in ALC and MAFLD groups compared to controls (ALC: P < 0.0001; NAFLD: P < 0.05, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). RPR correlated positively with MELD score (P < 0.01) and indirect indices of liver fibrosis (FIB-4 and GPR; P < 0.0001) in ALC patients; negative correlations were found between PDGF-AB and both: RDW and RPR (P < 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively). RPR correlated positively with NAFLD fibrosis score and APRI (P < 0.0001) in the MAFLD group; a positive relationship was observed between RDW and FIB-4, too (P < 0.05). AUC values and suggested cut-offs for RDW, RPR and RLR in ALC patients were: 0.912 (> 14.2%), 0.965 (> 0.075) and 0.914 (> 8.684), respectively. AUC values and suggested cut-offs for RDW, RPR and RLR in MAFLD patients were: 0.606 (> 12.8%), 0.724 (> 0.047) and 0.691 (> 6.25), respectively.

CONCLUSION

RDW with its derivatives appear to be valuable diagnostic markers in patients with ALC. They can also be associated with a deterioration of liver function in this group.

Risk of Fractures and Subsequent Mortality in Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alcohol-related cirrhosis is linked to increased risk of fractures, but this has seldom been quantified nationally or compared against control subjects without cirrhosis. Here, we determined the rate and risk of fractures and postfracture mortality in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis compared with individuals from the general population.

METHODS

In this nationwide population-based cohort study, data were retrieved from the Swedish National Patient Registry on 25,090 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis from 1969-2016. Patients were matched for sex, age, and municipality with 239,458 control subjects from the Swedish Total Population Registry. Cox regression models were fitted to investigate the rates of fractures and postfracture mortality. The cumulative incidence of fractures was calculated while accounting for competing risks (death or liver transplantation).

RESULTS

A total of 48,635 fractures occurred during 3,468,860 person-years of follow-up. Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis had a higher fracture rate per 1000 person-years (38.7) than control subjects (13.3; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.6-3.9). The cumulative incidence of fractures was elevated for patients the first 19 years of follow-up, with a 5-year risk of 9.6% compared with 4.5% for control subjects. Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis had a higher postfracture mortality rate compared with control subjects who also experienced a fracture, at both 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.8) and 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-2.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol-related cirrhosis is associated with an almost 4-fold increased fracture rate, a higher risk of fractures the first 2 decades after initial diagnosis, and higher postfracture mortality. Preventive interventions to reduce modifiable fracture risk factors in this population are justified.

Successful treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis with glucocorticoids and albumin: a case report

Glucocorticoids are used as a first-line treatment for severe alcoholic hepatitis, and albumin reduces both the number of hospitalizations and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. However, for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), there is no definitive evidence that glucocorticoid therapy is beneficial. In this case report, we describe a male patient who developed into ACLF based on alcoholic cirrhosis, whose symptoms and clinical indicators continued to deteriorate after initial symptomatic treatment. The patient's condition gradually improved after low-dose glucocorticoid therapy, and long-term albumin supplementation resulted in a satisfactory outcome.

Clinical Course and Risk Factors for Infection in Severe Forms of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Infection is a major driver of mortality in patients with advanced alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The epidemiology and clinical course of patients infected with life-threatening forms of ALD, including severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH) and decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis (DAC), and specific risk factors for infection remain mostly unknown.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

In this observational study, we assessed all infectious episodes occurring within a 90-day period from diagnosis in all consecutive patients with biopsy-proven sAH (modified Maddrey's discriminant function ≥ 32, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD] ≥ 18) and DAC (MELD ≥ 18) without alcohol-associated hepatitis in our tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2016. A total of 207 patients were included: 139 with sAH and 68 with DAC. One hundred seventeen (84%) patients with sAH and 41 (60%) patients with DAC experienced at least one infection episode at 90 days (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, factors associated with the development of infection were the presence of sAH and baseline MELD score. Bacterial infections represented the most common infection in the two groups, and only the MELD score was independently associated with the occurrence of bacterial infection. In both groups, pneumonia was the most prevalent bacterial infection, and gram-negative bacilli were the main pathogens. Invasive fungal infections (IFI) occurred in 20 (14.5%) patients with sAH and 3 (4.5%) with patients with DAC (P < 0.05). Multivariable regression showed that younger age, higher MELD, and corticosteroid therapy were independently associated with IFI. The 90-day cumulative incidence of death in patients infected with sAH and patients infected with DAC was 46% and 41.5%, respectively (P = 0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with sAH are more susceptible to develop infection than those with DAC. In life-threatening forms of ALD, patients who were infected share a similar mortality rate. Corticosteroid treatment, not sAH, seems to be the main risk factor triggering IFI.

Changing Trends in Liver Cirrhosis Etiology and Severity in Korea: the Increasing Impact of Alcohol

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in South Korea. However, alcoholic liver disease has shown an increasing trend. Although the clinical implications surrounding liver cirrhosis have been changing over the years, few studies have recently examined cirrhosis epidemiology. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in liver cirrhosis etiology and severity in Korea.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 16,888 records of cirrhotic patients from six tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2008 to 2017. Continuous and non-continuous variables were processed via linear and Poisson regression, expressed as beta (B) coefficients and as exponentiated values of coefficients (Exp[B]), respectively.

RESULTS

Chronic hepatitis B showed a decreasing trend (Exp[B] = 0.975, P < 0.001), whereas alcohol showed an increasing trend (Exp[B] = 1.013, P = 0.003), occupying the most common etiology in 2017. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and decompensated liver cirrhosis prevalence did not change over the 10-year period. The incidence of variceal bleeding, severe ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis significantly decreased from 12.3% to 7.7%, 7.8% to 4.1%, 1.0% to 0.5%, and 1.9% to 1.1%, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). In the subgroup analysis, the chronic hepatitis B group showed improving CTP scores (B = -0.025, P < 0.001) and decreasing decompensated liver cirrhosis rates (Exp[B] = 0.977, P = 0.016), whereas the alcohol group demonstrated increasing CTP class C (Exp[B] = 1.031, P = 0.005) and model for end-stage liver disease scores (B = 0.081, P = 0.005) over 10 years.

CONCLUSION

The chronic hepatitis B group exhibited improved results, whereas the alcohol group still presented poor liver functions and outcomes. Future national policies and systematic approaches addressing the incidence, prevention, and treatment of alcoholic liver cirrhosis are indispensable.

[Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis and related complications]

Alcohol is still the dominating cause of liver cirrhosis in Denmark. Only a minor fraction of individuals with alcohol abuse develop cirrhosis, and the pathophysiological mechanisms are only partly understood. About 50% of patients are diagnosed, when complications such as ascites, renal failure, or oesophageal varices occur. Treatment of alcohol-related cirrhosis is mainly symptomatic, and a summary is given in this review. It is, however, anticipated, that improved focus on nutrition, prevention of complications and therapeutic agents directed towards hepatic fibrogenesis will improve life and health of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Applicability and safety of discontinuous ADVanced Organ Support (ADVOS) in the treatment of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) outside of intensive care

BACKGROUND

ADVanced Organ Support (ADVOS) is a novel type of extracorporeal albumin dialysis and holds promise to sustain liver function and recovery of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Previously, ADVOS was tested as continuous treatment for intensive care patients with liver failure. Data related to the applicability and safety as discontinuous treatment outside of ICU is not available.

AIM

Evaluation of ADVOS as discontinuous treatment for patients with ACLF outside intensive care unit and comparison with a matched historic cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this retrospective study, 26 patients with ACLF and the indication for renal replacement therapy related to HRS-AKI were included. Majority of patients were male (65%) with alcoholic cirrhosis in 88% and infections as a trigger of ACLF in 96%. Liver function was severely compromised reflected by high median MELD and CLIF-C ACLF scores of 37 (IQR 32;40) and 56.5 (IQR 51;60), respectively. Patients were treated discontinuously with ADVOS over a median time of 12 days (IQR 8.25;17) and received 8 (IQR 4.25;9.75) treatment cycles on average. No treatment related adverse events were recorded, and safety laboratory parameters remained constant during the observation time. After 16 h cumulative dialysis therapy, ADVOS significantly reduced protein-bound bilirubin (14%), creatinine (11.8%) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN, 33%). Using a matched cohort with ACLF treated with hemodialysis, ADVOS achieved a stronger decrease in bilirubin (p = 0.01), while detoxification of water-soluble catabolites' including creatinine and BUN was comparable. The 28-days mortality in the ADVOS group was 56% (14/26) and was not inferior to predicted survival (predicted median 28-days mortality was 44%, IQR 30; 59).

CONCLUSION

Discontinuous ADVOS treatment was safe and effective in patients with ACLF outside intensive care and outperformed hemodialysis in reducing protein-bound metabolites.

COVID-19 in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which manifests mainly as a respiratory condition, has become a global pandemic that causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Although the symptoms remain mild in most patients, the elderly and patients with previous comorbidities have higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients with liver cirrhosis, especially after decompensation, may be more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to systemic immune dysfunction. CASE REPORT The patient was a 51-year-old man who was hypertensive, an ex-alcoholic abstinent for 6 months, and a smoker. He was diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis in July 2019, and was using norfloxacin at home for secondary prophylaxis of bacterial peritonitis. He was also using furosemide and spironolactone to control ascites and propranolol for primary prophylaxis of esophageal varices. The patient entered our hospital in July 2020 with cough, dyspnea, runny nose, diarrhea, and fever. During hospitalization, we confirmed infection by COVID-19 and secondary nosocomial pulmonary infection. Chest tomography compatible with ground-glass standard was performed. The patient developed the need for auxiliary oxygen but without invasive mechanical ventilation. The patient received dexamethasone 6 mg/day and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy (he was started on cefepime but switched to meropenem). At the end of the 14-day isolation period, he was discharged with improved respiratory status. CONCLUSIONS Despite high mortality rates in patients with advanced cirrhosis who become infected with COVID-19, we report a case with a favorable outcome. Success has been achieved with the use of medications in studies of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the rapid detection of complications caused by the virus. Further studies in SARS-CoV-2 patients with chronic liver disease are needed.

Global strategy for the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury in patients with liver cirrhosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome that complicates the course and worsens clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver diseases. It is a common complication in hospitalised patients with liver cirrhosis, especially those with decompensated cirrhosis, associated with a high mortality rate. Considering its impact on patient prognosis, efforts should be made to diagnose and tailor therapeutic interventions for AKI at an early stage. In the past decade, a significant progress has been made to understand the key events and define major prognostic factors for the onset and progression of AKI in the cirrhotic population leading hepatologists to redefine the classic definition of hepatorenal syndrome and renal failure in this specific population.

Analysis of novel serum markers of fibrosis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol consumption causes acute and chronic liver injury. The clinical forms of alcohol liver disease (ALD) include steatosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the levels of novel markers of fibrogenesis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Serum levels of angiopoietin-like peptide 4 (ANGPTL-4), asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGP-R1), and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) were assessed. Levels of hyaluronic acid (Hyal) and collagen IV (Coll IV) werealso determined at various stages of alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 72 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, while the control group included 22 healthy subjects without a history of alcohol abuse. The degree of liver cirrhosis was evaluated according to the Pugh-Child criteria (Pugh-Child score). Based on thse scores, patients were assigned to one of three groups: Pugh-Child (P-Ch) A - 21 with stage A, P-Ch B - 23 with stage B and P-Ch C - 28 with stage C liver cirrhosis. Serum levels of markers were determined using ELISA.

RESULTS

The study findings demonstrated higher levels of ANGPTL-4, ASGP-R1, S100A, hyaluronic acid and serum collagen IV in the group of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, compared to the control group. Furthermore, their levels increased with the progression of alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The biomarkers analysed in the study may be useful for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The micro-structural analysis of lumbar vertebrae in alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Although vertebral fracture is more common among alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients when compared to general population, current data on three-dimensional micro-architecture are scarce. Our study showed significant trabecular deterioration in lumbar vertebrae obtained from alcoholic liver cirrhosis donors, suggesting that they should be advised to undergo early-stage screening for osteoporosis.

PURPOSE

Recent studies showed an increased incidence of vertebral fractures in alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) patients, while data about vertebral micro-structure are still limited. The aim of this study was to compare trabecular and cortical micro-architecture of lumbar vertebrae between ALC patients and healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

METHODS

Our study included lumbar vertebral samples of male cadaveric donors, divided into ALC (n = 20, age: 59 ± 6 years) and control group (n = 20, age: 59 ± 8 years). Following pathohistological verification of liver cirrhosis, trabecular and cortical bone micro-architecture was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

RESULTS

Micro-CT evaluation of the trabecular bone in lumbar vertebrae showed a significant decrease in bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and connectivity (p < 0.01). In contrast to trabecular deterioration, prominent alteration in cortical parameters was not observed in lumbar vertebrae of ALC patients (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that susceptibility to non-traumatic fractures in ALC patients could be explained by alterations in trabecular bone micro-architecture. Thus, we genuinely recommend osteological screening of the lumbar spine for all ALC patients in order to evaluate individual fracture risk. Graphical abstract.

Long-Term Self-Expandable Metal Stent (SEMS) for Esophageal Variceal Bleeding: A Picture of the Natural History

INTRODUCTION

We aim to discuss the utility of self-expandable esophageal metal stent (SEMS) in variceal bleeding in challenging cases.

METHODS

Case description, discussion on patient management and decision-making process in an uncommon situation, from a multidisciplinary point of view.

RESULTS

We report a case of a cirrhotic patient with refractory variceal bleeding who underwent a SEMS placement, which remained in situ for 9 months. This decision was based on the initial poor status and short life expectancy, limiting the consideration of other options for lowering portal hypertension, along with an underlying prothrombotic predisposition. However, the patient's general and hepatic improvement and the development of dysphagia led to the SEMS removal, exposing a large esophageal-tracheal fistula.

DISCUSSION

Early patient evaluation, risks of long-term SEMS, and life expectancy should be taken in consideration before SEMS placement.

Low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban for acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis in a cirrhotic patient treated with multiple endoscopic variceal procedures

Acute portomesenteric vein thrombosis is potentially lethal. In the present paper, a cirrhotic patient with a previous history of esophageal variceal bleeding presented with acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis, but achieved complete recanalization by low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban. Notably, no bleeding episode occurred during anticoagulation therapy. This case supported early initiation of anticoagulation in such patients.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Diagnosed by a Breath Test and Improved by Rifaximin in a Patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy and Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

A 66-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with grade 2 hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Abdominal computed tomography and laboratory examinations revealed decompensated liver cirrhosis. Intravenous administration of branched-chain amino acids immediately ameliorated the HE, and lactulose was initiated. However, a breath test revealed small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO); therefore, rifaximin was additionally initiated. The breath test was repeated after discharge, when no evidence of SIBO or overt HE was identified. This case suggested that a breath test is effective for the identification of SIBO and that the administration of a poorly absorbed antibiotic should be considered in SIBO-positive HE patients taking lactulose.

Changes in Characteristics of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Visiting a Tertiary Hospital over 15 Years: a Retrospective Multi-Center Study in Korea

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis has become a heavy burden not only for patients, but also for our society. However, little is known about the recent changes in clinical outcomes and characteristics of patients with cirrhosis-related complications in Korea. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate changes in characteristics of patients with liver cirrhosis in Daegu-Gyeongbuk province in Korea over the past 15 years.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 15,716 liver cirrhotic patients from 5 university hospitals in Daegu-Gyeongbuk province from 2000 to 2014. The Korean Standard Classification of Diseases-6 code associated with cirrhosis was investigated through medical records and classified according to the year of first visit.

RESULTS

A total of 15,716 patients was diagnosed with cirrhosis. A number of patients newly diagnosed with cirrhosis has decreased each year. In 2000, patients were most likely to be diagnosed with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis, followed by alcoholic cirrhosis. There was a significant decrease in HBV (P < 0.001), but alcohol, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) showed a significant increase during the study period (alcohol, P = 0.036; HCV, P = 0.001; NAFLD, P = 0.001). At the time of initial diagnosis, the ratio of Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A gradually increased from 23.1% to 32.9% (P < 0.001). The most common cause of liver-related hospitalization in 2000 was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (25.5%); in 2014, gastrointestinal bleeding with esophageal and gastric varices (21.4%) was the most common cause. Cases of hospitalization with liver-related complication represented 76.4% of all cases in 2000 but 70.9% in 2014. Incidence rate of HCC has recently increased. In addition, HCC-free survival was significantly lower in CTP class A than in classes B and C. Finally, there was significant difference in HCC occurrence according to causes (P < 0.001). HBV and HCV cirrhosis had lower HCC-free survival than alcoholic and NAFLD cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

In recent years, the overall number of cirrhosis patients has decreased. This study confirmed the recent trend in decrease of cirrhosis, especially of cirrhosis due to HBV, and the increase of HCV, alcoholic and NAFLD cirrhosis. Targeted screening for at-risk patients will facilitate early detection of liver diseases allowing effective intervention and may have decreased the development of cirrhosis and its complications.

Aspirin and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis

Aspirin therapy has shown protective effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical studies. However, it is unclear whether aspirin therapy lowers the risk of HCC in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.A retrospective analysis of data from 949 consecutive patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who abstained from alcoholic drinking was performed. The primary and secondary outcomes were development of HCC and gastrointestinal bleeding events, respectively. Risk was compared between patients with aspirin treatment and patients who were not treated (non-aspirin group) using a time-varying Cox proportional hazards model for total population and propensity score-matching analysis.The aspirin group included 224 patients and the non-aspirin group had 725 patients. During the study period of median duration of 3.1 years, 133 patients (13.6%) developed HCC. In time-varying Cox proportional analyses, the aspirin group showed a significantly lower risk of HCC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-0.21; P < .001). In propensity score-matched pairs, aspirin therapy significantly reduced the risk of HCC (aHR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.09-0.22; P < .001). In bleeding risk, treatment with aspirin alone was not significantly associated with a higher bleeding risk (aHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.45-1.44; P = .46).Aspirin therapy was associated with the lower risk of HCC in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Calciphylaxis in Association with Alcoholic Cirrhosis and Hepatorenal Syndrome

A 45-year-old woman with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse was transferred from an outside hospital for management of a painful cutaneous eruption, progressively worsening over 2 weeks. On examination, the patient was a middle-aged white woman lying in bed in no acute distress, with jaundice and a protuberant abdomen consistent with ascites. The patient was afebrile (98.2°F), heart rate of 79 beats per minute, blood pressure of 105/61 mmHg, respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation of 93% on room air. She had multiple large stellate lesions of retiform purpura with central hemorrhagic necrosis on both thighs, with surrounding induration (Figures 1 and 2). These purpuric plaques and perilesional skin were exquisitely painful to palpation.

Renal actinomycosis with retroperitoneal abscess in a cirrhotic patient: A case report (CARE-complaint)

RATIONALE

Renal actinomycosis is a rare clinical infection, subacute to chronic presentation caused by the Actinomyces bacteria. Actinomyces israelii is diagnosed in the overpowering majority of reported cases. Abdominopelvic manifestation forms 10% to 20% of all actinomycosis, and may be misdiagnosed as either a malignancy or chronic inflammation due to the lower correct preoperative diagnostic rate (<10%).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 38-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis experienced right flank pain, abdominal pain, and fever for 3 days. Leukocytosis, acute kidney injury, and impaired liver function were found. A computed tomographic scan demonstrated multiple renal cystic lesions, along with fluid accumulation at the right subphrenic and retroperitoneal spaces.

DIAGNOSES

Renal actinomycosis was confirmed via cultures of both the abscess and nephrectomy specimen which grew A israelii and the pathological findings of multiple renal abscesses of actinomycosis with the characteristics of sulfur granules.

INTERVENTIONS

A nephrectomy was performed for an inadequate percutaneous drainage of renal abscess.

OUTCOMES

A full course of antibiotics with intravenous penicillin G (3 million units every 4 hours) was prescribed for 2 weeks, followed by oral penicillin V given at a dose of 2 grams per day for 6 months at our out-patient facility.

LESSONS

A precise diagnosis of primary renal actinomycosis depends on any histopathological findings and/or cultures of specimens. A high dose of intravenous penicillin G is the first choice, followed by oral penicillin V, with the duration of each being dependent upon the individual condition.

Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The clinical picture in cirrhosis is dominated by the classical complications such as ascites, bleeding varices, portal hypertension and encephalopathy. Cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis, which contributes significantly to the morbidity and, mortality though prevalent, is less studied and not widely recognized entity since it is largely asymptomatic at rest, with overt heart failure seen mainly during pharmacological stress, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, liver transplantation.

METHODS

It is a cross sectional study done on patients admitted in wards or attending to outpatient department of Liver unit, Bir Hospital, between May 2015 to May 2016. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical examination, lab parameters, ultrasound examination, endoscopy and/or liver biopsy. Cirrhotic patients after assessing the exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Child Pugh and model for end stage liver disease scores were calculated to assess the liver function. Cardiac function was evaluated by resting pulse, mean arterial pressure, electrocardiography, and 2 dimensional echocardiography.

RESULTS

Diastolic dysfunction was seen in 61.9%(48) and was more common in alcoholic group (63.2% Vs 58.6%). Systolic dysfunction was seen in 6.6% of alcoholic patients only. 51.4% had cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to the criteria (proposed by World congress of gastroenterology in 2005). Prolonged QTc of >0.44 seconds was noted in 79%, mainly in child pugh C, with model for end stage liver disease score >10.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac dysfunction is prevalent with sizeable number of patients with cirrhosis especially in the form of diastolic dysfunction independent of etiology. QTc prolongation might be an early indicator of cardiac dysfunction and is directly correlated with child pugh and model for end stage liver disease scores.

[A case of acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy with extensive cortical high-intensity lesions in diffusion weighted imaging]

A 49-year-old woman with hepatic failure owing to alcoholic liver cirrhosis went into a deep coma. Her serum ammonia concentration was elevated at 436 μg/dl, and she had a generalized convulsion. Electroencephalogram and cerebrospinal fluid examination did not suggest encephalitis and epilepsy. Hyperammonemia may be occur because of generalized convulsions; however, it can spontaneously resolve if the convulsions are stopped. If hyperammonemia is the primary cause of generalized convulsion, the serum ammonia concentration will remain high until the cause is eliminated. However, despite stopping the convulsions, her ammonia concentration remained high. Diffusion-weighted brain MRI revealed symmetric high-intensity lesions in the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, especially the cingulate and insular cortices of the bilateral hemispheres. These findings were in line with those of previous reports that revealed symmetric cortical lesions, including cingulate and insula cortices that are distinctive in acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy. Therefore, we diagnosed that the coma, generalized convulsions, and abnormal brain MRI findings were caused by acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy.