ABSTRACT
Background: Ascitic decompensation is a common major complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor outcome. In 5-10% of patients, ascites become resistant to treatment [either do not respond to a high dose of diuretics or because these drugs induce complications], which is called refractory ascites [RA]. RA is associated with poor survival: 20-50% at 1 year. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of RA
Methods: Retrospective study including consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted for controlling ascites between January 2010 and April 2013. Patients and cirrhosis characteristics were studied. Development of RA during follow-up was investigated. The impact of RA on the outcome [cirrhosis complications and survival] was evaluated
Results: We included 124 cirrhotic patients: 59 females [47.6%]; mean age was 58 years. Ascites was grade 3 in 38.5% and was the first episode in 45.1% of patients. Etiology of cirrhosis was mainly viral [57.3%]. Child-Pugh score was B in 39.5% and C in 28.2%. Mean MELD score was 16 [6-40]. During follow-up, 27 patients developed RA, meaning a prevalence of 21.8%. RA type was diuretic intractable in all cases. Survival without complications was significantly reduced in patients with RA [4 vs 17 monthsp<10-3]. RA was an independent predictive factor of global complications, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatic encephalopathy. Global survival was reduced in patients with RA [12 vs 16 months, p=0.069]. One year survival was 45% for patients with RA vs 63% for other cirrhotics. In multivariate analysis, only Child-Pugh score, but not RA was an independent prognostic factor
Conclusion: In this Tunisian sample we confirm that RA reduces survival and increases risk of cirrhosis complications, especially hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Therefore, these patients should be promptly listed for liver transplantation, over and above the MELD score
ABSTRACT
Background: Malnutrition is commonly seen in cirrhotic patients and has been shown to adversely affect outcome. However, it remains associated with the severity of cirrhosis. Therefore, its role as an independent prognostic factor is still under debate. The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in cirrhotic patients and determine whether this condition was an independent prognostic factor
Patients and methods: We prospectively analyzed the nutritional status of 104 consecutive patients with cirrhosis Subjective global nutritional assessment [SGA] and anthropometry [dry body mass index [BMI], triceps skinfold [TSF], arm muscle circumference [AMC]] were used for the evaluation of the nutritional status. Complications of cirrhosis during follow-up and patient's survival were recorded. Global survival and survival without complications was studied by Kaplan Meier method and using Log Rank test
Results: Prevalence of malnutrition ranged from 16.3 and 62.5% according to the method of nutritional assessment used. Survival without complications was reduced in malnourished patients. This difference was significant when assessing malnutrition by dry BMI [p=0.001]. In multivariate analysis, malnutrition defined by dry BMI<18.5 kg/m2 was an independent predictor of complications [p<0.001; RR 3.2] especially hepatic encephalopathy [p=0.001; RR 2.66]. In univariate analysis, global survival was worse in malnourished patients [by BMI and SGA; p=0.03 and p=0.0014 respectively], but this trend was lost in multivariate analysis
Conclusion: In our study, malnutrition was an independent predictor of complications in cirrhosis. However, it did not appear as an independent prognostic factor for global survival. These results raise again difficulties to clarify whether malnutrition influence itself the prognosis of cirrhosis or if it is only related to the severity of cirrhosis
ABSTRACT
Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality encountered in cirrhotic patients. Recent studies have shown that hyponatremia was correlated with severity of cirrhosis and associated with increased risk of complications and mortality. However this relationship is still unclear. The aims of the present study were to search predictive factors for hyponatremia in cirrhosis and to assess its prognostic value
Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to our department between January 2011 and April 2014. Patients and cirrhosis characteristics were studied. Serum sodium levels were determined at admission. The cutoff level of 130 mmol/l was chosen because it is widely accepted to define hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis. Predictive factors of hyponatremia development and its impact on the outcome [cirrhosis complications and survival] were evaluated
Results: We included 143 cirrhotic patients: 67 females [46.9%] and 76 males [53.1%] with a mean age of 58 years. Etiology of cirrhosis was mainly viral [56.7%]. Child-Pugh stage was B in 41.2% and C in 25.9%. Mean MELD score was 15 [6-40]. The prevalence of dilutional hyponatremia as defined by a serum sodium concentration 16 [OR=6.76; p=0.001]. Survival without complications was reduced in patients with hyponatremia but was only significant if a serum sodium concentration
Conclusion: Low serum sodium level was correlated with severity of cirrhosis. Hyponatremia was a negative prognostic factor associated with increased short-term morbi-mortality
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, has recently been shown to improve overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] but only a handful of reports of complete remission on sorafenib have been issued
Case report: We report an intriguing case of advanced HCC complicating HCV infection with cirrhosis, in which the patient achieved complete remission by prolonged administration of sorafenib
Conclusion: Identifying factors that could be associated with good response to this therapy are needed
ABSTRACT
Background: Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy [UGE] is an increasing and reliable procedure. Given the high costs and potential risks, appropriate indication of UGE may be facilitated by referring to qualifying criteria such as those devised by the European Panel [EPAGE]. This prospective study evaluates the applicability and efficacy of these criteria in clinical practice
Methods: Cross sectional study. Consecutive patients were referred to our unit endoscopy for diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2011 and June 2011. Demographic data, indication of the procedure, and endoscopic diagnosis were collected. The appropriateness of UGE was assessed based on EPAGE II criteria before the procedure
Results:EPAGE criteria were applicable in 89.1% of cases. They were 78 men [48.1%] and mean age was 49 years [14 - 91]. Indications for UGE were extremely appropriate, appropriate, inappropriate and uncertain in 21.6%, 47.4%%, 8.8% and 22.2% respectively. Among patients with clinically significant lesions detected by UGE, 70.7% had an appropriate indication. Clinically significant lesions were disclosed in 59% of the appropriate group and 54% of the inappropriate group. All cancers were observed in patients with appropriate indications. Patients with appropriate indication were older than patients belonging to the inappropriate group [53.6 years versus 39.9 years, p =0,0001]
Conclusion: In this present study, EPAGE criteria were applicable in 89.1% and indication was judged appropriate in more than two-third of cases. However, clinical significant lesions were observed in a proportion of patients with inappropriate indication, and in some relevant clinical situations EPAGE criteria were not applicable. Therefore, even if these criteria are helpful for decision-making, final decision must however rely upon practitioner. Qualifying criteria for an appropriate selection of endoscopical procedure adapted to our population are advisable
ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the first liver tumor worldwide. Therefore, it is a matter of debate whether surgical treatment or percutaneous treatment should be preferred for the treatment of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of our study was to compare the long-term outcome and the survival between surgically and percutaneously treated small hepatocellular carcinomas. A retrospective study was performed in the department of hepatology during a period of 2009-2012. The study included all patients carrying small hepatocellular carcinoma which were divided in: group 1 including patients who underwent surgical treatment, and group 2 including patients who underwent percutaneous treatment. Among the 63 patients who were diagnosed for hepatocellular carcinoma, 28 carried a small hepatocellular carcinoma with a mean age of 63 years and sex-ratio of 0.64. Etiology of cirrhosis was viral in 96% cases. Surgical treatment [hepatic resection] was performed in 53.5% cases while percutaneous treatment was proposed for 46.5%: radiofrequency ablation in 69% and alcoholic injection in 31%. No major complications for both surgical and percutaneous treatment occurred in our study. Overall survival was significantly lower in the surgical resection group. The corresponding 6 months and 1-year overall survival rates for the surgical resection group and the percutaneous treatment group were 100%, 100%, 20%, and 52%, respectively [p=0,04]. The disease free survival were not significantly different. Our results showed the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ablation treatments which were better than those of surgical treatment in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma
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Little is known in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] regarding risk factors for psychological distress. The aims of our work were to evaluate the frequency of anxiety and depression among patients with IBD and to determine the factors associated with these psychological disorders in Tunisian patients. From June 2012 to April 2013, 60 consecutive patients with IBD answered a questionnaire about psychological and socioeconomic factors and adherence to treatment. In this study we focused the analysis on the characteristics of IBD [type, localization, severity, treatment] and socioeconomic factors [professional, educational, and marital status]. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]. According to the HADS, 25 patients [41.6%] were anxious while 4 [6.6%] were depressed. Three had anxiety and depression at the same time. Twelve patients had a probable anxiety, 2 patients had a probable depression and 3 patients had a probable depression and anxiety at the same time. By univariate analysis, factors associated with anxiety and depression were: female gender [p<0.03], rent [p<0.03], high school graduation [p<0.009], IBD type ulcerative colitis [p<0.05]. By multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with these emotional disorders were: female gender [p=0.005, OR 11.3], the high school graduation [p=0.004, OR 12.1]. In our cohort, risk factors for anxiety and depression were the high school graduation and IBD type ulcerative colitis. Consequently, psychological interventions would be useful when these factors are identified
ABSTRACT
The Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare disease, often fatal if not treated optimally. It is characterized by a blocked hepatic venous outflow tract. This review attempted to present pathophysiology, aetiologies,diagnosis and therapeutic modalities of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. Review of literature. Budd-Chiari syndrome is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of aetiologies and presentations. Hematologic abnormalities, particularly myeloproliferative disorders, are the most common causes of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. The clinical presentation is governed by the extent and rapidity of the hepatic vein occlusion. Doppler-ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic veins and inferior vena cava are usually successful in demonstrating non-invasively the obstacle or its consequences. A therapeutic strategy has been proposed where anticoagulation, correction of risk factors, diuretics and prophylaxis for portal hypertension are used first; then angioplasty for shortlength venous stenosis; then Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt [TIPS]; and ultimately liver transplantation. Treatment progression is dictated by the response to previous therapy. This strategy has achieved 5-year survival rates approaching 70%.Medium-term prognosis depends on the severity of liver disease. The diagnosis of the Budd-Chiari syndrome must be considered in any patients with acute or chronic liver disease. Management of this syndrome should follow a step by step strategy
ABSTRACT
The efficiency of bowel preparation directly affects the quality and the reliability of total colonoscopy. Inadequate bowel cleansing is a common cause of incomplete colonoscopy with a risk of ignoring pre-neoplastic lesions represented primarily as adenomas with a size below centimetre. Due to the numerous factors interfering with preparation, an adapted choice of the type of preparation and the follow-up of diverse methods to optimize bowel preparation allows to improve diagnostic accuracy and to reduce costs while guaranteeing to the patient good tolerabilty and safety. To report the news about the terms of the bowel preparation for colonoscopy quality and to propose practical ways to optimize it. Review of literature and lecture of recommendations. The pre-colonoscopy consultation, prescription of a split dose bowel preparation and a brief time between the last dose of preparation and colonoscopy are the means currently available to optimize bowel preparation. A better understanding of terms of bowel preparation and the factors influencing the degree of preparation improve the diagnostic efficacy of colonoscopy especially in the detection and treatment of colorectal cancer