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Objective To compare the value of Child-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD-Na) score, CLIF Consortium Acute Decompensation (CLIF-C AD) score, and Freiburg index of post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) survival (FIPS) score in predicting the survival of patients undergoing TIPS. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 447 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TIPS in several hospitals in southwest China, among whom there were 306 patients in the survival group and 62 in the death group. The scores of the above five models were calculated, and a survival analysis was performed based on these models. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the Pearson chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; a multivariate Cox regression analysis was used for correction analysis of known influencing factors with statistical significance which were not included in the scoring models; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability of each model in identifying risks in the surgical population, and the log-rank test was used for analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), C-index at different time points, and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive ability of each scoring model. Results Compared with the death group, the survival group had significantly lower age ( Z =2.884, P < 0.05), higher albumin ( t =3.577, P < 0.05), and Na + ( Z =-3.756, P < 0.05) and significantly lower proportion of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis ( χ 2 =22.674, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z =2.141, P < 0.05), prothrombin time ( Z =2.486, P < 0.05), international normalized ratio ( Z =2.429, P < 0.05), total bilirubin ( Z =3.754, P < 0.05), severity of ascites ( χ 2 =14.186, P < 0.05), and scores of the five models (all P < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that all scoring models effectively stratified the prognostic risk of the patients undergoing TIPS. Comparison of the C-index of each scoring model at different time points showed that Child-Pugh score had the strongest ability in predicting postoperative survival, followed by MELD-Na score, MELD score, and CLIF-C AD score, and FIPS score had a relatively poor predictive ability; in addition, the prediction efficiency of each score gradually decreased over time. Child-Pugh score had the largest AUC of 0.832 in predicting 1-year survival rate after surgery, and MELD-Na score had the largest AUC of 0.726 in predicting 3-year survival rate after surgery, but FIPS score had a poor ability in predicting 1- and 3-year survival rates. Conclusion All five scoring models can predict the survival of patients with liver cirrhosis after TIPS and can provide effective stratification of prognostic risk for such patients. Child-Pugh score has a better ability in predicting short-term survival, while MELD-Na score has a better ability in predicting long-term survival, but FIPS score has a relatively poor predictive ability in predicting both short-term and long-term survival.
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Objective:To investigate the characteristics of digestive system symptoms and its relation with the time of nucleic acid continuous positive in population infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant, and to analyze the abdominal computed tomography (CT) features of patients infected with Omicron variant.Methods:From April 11 to May 23, 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted in patients infected with Omicron variant admitted to the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center Fangcang Hospital. The questionnaire included basic information, the start time of nucleic acid positive, respiratory symptoms, digestive system syptoms and outcomes, etc.Combined with the clinical data, the relation between digestive tract symptoms and the time of nucleic acid continuous positive were analyzed. Thoracic and abdominal CT were performed for patients with continuous positive nucleic acid results ≥10 d, and the relationship between the abdominal CT imaging characteristics and the time of nucleic acid continuous positive was analyzed. Independent sample t-test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 4 360 valid questionnaires were collected, including 2 475 males and 1 885 females, with a hospital stay of (6.8±4.9) d. Among the 4 360 patients, 1 979 patients (45.4%) had gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort or pain, constipation and diarrhea. The time of nucleic acid continuous positive in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms was (7.4±5.5) d, which was longer than that of patients without gastrointestinal symptoms (6.5±3.6) d, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.78, P<0.001). During the isolation period in the Fangcang Hospital, the time of nucleic acid continuous positive in patients with complete remission of digestive tract symptoms was shorter than that of patients with no remission of digestive tract symptoms ((7.3±5.2) d vs. (8.5±5.7) d), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.25, P=0.025). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the combination of gastrointestinal symptoms was an independent risk factor for continuous positive nucleic acid result ≥10 d ( OR=1.316, 95% confidence interval 1.294 to 2.205, P=0.046). Among the 299 patients with continuous positive nucleic acid results≥10 d, 187 cases (62.5%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, and 146 cases (48.8%) had abdominal CT findings of thickening of the gastroduodenal wall, thickening of the small intestinal wall, indistinct mesenteric vessels of the small intestine, and dilatation and pneumatosis of the colon. In patients with continuous positive nucleic acid results ≥10 d, abdominal CT indicated that patients with gastrointestinal imaging changes had a longer time of nucleic acid continuous positive than those without gastrointestinal imaging changes ((16.0±2.8) d vs. (13.0±2.1) d), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.62, P=0.009). Conclusions:Digestive system symptoms are common in patients infected with Omicron variant. The time of nucleic acid continuous positive in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms is longer than those without gastrointestinal symptoms. Some patients may have gastrointestinal lesions on abdominal CT.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of patients with hepatic myelopathy (HM) in China. MethodsThe articles on HM, published in China from January 2009 to December 2018, were collected to analyze the clinical features, laboratory examination results, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of HM patients. ResultsA total of 94 articles were included, with 562 patients in total, among whom there were 489 male patients and 73 female patients. Their age ranged from 17-81 years, with a mean age of 46.3±17.5 years. Hepatitis B cirrhosis was the most common etiology (64.4%), followed by alcoholic cirrhosis (10.3%) and hepatitis C cirrhosis (9.2%). The clinical manifestations of HM mainly included decline of muscle strength (89.50%), tendon hyperreflexia (76.87%), ataxia, and movement disorder (76.51%). Laboratory examination showed an increase in blood ammonia by 92.31% and a reduction in albumin by 88.96%. Imaging diagnosis mainly depended on electromyography (64.92%) and spinal cord MRI (22.82%), and abdominal color Doppler ultrasound, CT, or MRI alone has limited clinical value. After comprehensive medical treatment, no patient (0%) was cured, 106 patients (18.86%) were improved, 211 patients (37.54%) had no response, 31 patients (5.52%) worsened, 129 patients (22.95%) died, and 53 patients (9.43%) were not explained. A total of 39 patients underwent liver transplantation, with an improvement rate of 5641%. ConclusionHM is a rare complication of end-stage liver disease and is mainly observed in middle-aged men. It has the main manifestation of chronic and progressive spastic paraplegia of both lower limbs. Currently, there is no effective treatment method, and liver transplantation is feasible for some patients, with poor treatment response and poor prognosis.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the gastroscopic manifestations of gastric mucosa in portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and the association of PHG with gastroesophageal varices, ulcers, and liver cirrhosis complications. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 867 patients with liver cirrhosis who were treated in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University from August 2012 to June 2018, and the incidence rates of gastroesophageal varices, PHG, and ulcers were recorded. Meanwhile, the data of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were collected. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and a Spearman correlation analysis was also performed. ResultsThe incidence rate of PHG in the patients with liver cirrhosis reached 66.2% (574/867), and gastric mucosa abnormalities in mild PHG were mainly red-spot lesions (68.6%) and snakeskin (56.8%), while diffuse erythema (76.5%) was the main gastric mucosa abnormality in severe PHG. There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with different severities of esophageal varices (χ2=304712, P＜0.05), and the severity of PHG increased with the aggravation of esophageal varices (r=0.515, P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with different severities of gastric varices (χ2=81.004, P＜0.05), and the severity of PHG was positively correlated with that of gastric varices (r=0.292, P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with varices at different locations (χ2=41.361, P＜0.05); the patients with gastric varices alone had the lowest incidence rate of PHG (34.8%) and only had mild PHG, and those with gastroesophageal varices had the highest incidence rate of PHG (85.6%). Among the patients without PHG, 71 (24.2%) were hospitalized due to hematemesis and/or tarry stool, and among the 574 patients with PHG, 316 (55.1%) were hospitalized, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (χ2=74562, P＜0.05). ConclusionPatients with different severities of PHG have different features of gastric mucosa abnormalities. The development and severity of PHG are closely associated with the severity of gastroesophageal varices and are important causes of gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis. PHG should be treated and prevented to reduce the risk and complications of gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Objective:To investigate the awareness of digestive system injury caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in gastroenterologists.Methods:From February 21 to 23 in 2020, the electronic questionnaire was used to learn about the condition of the basic knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of digestive system injury caused by COVID-19 among the gastroenterologists across the country. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 2 216 gastroenterologists from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide completed the survey. 99.7% (2 209/2 216) of gastroenterologists stated that they had read the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment guidelines. The percentages of physicians who knew clearly about the diagnostic criteria of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 34.9% (774/2 216) and 39.4% (874/2 216), respectively. The percentages of physician who gave the right answers of COVID-19 detectable methods and pulmonary imaging was 68.4% (1 516/2 216) and 71.6% (1 586/2 216), respectively. The percentages of correct answers of digestive system injury caused by COVID-19 were physicians and chief physicians was 30.9% (134/433) in residents, 33.9% (234/691) attending physicians, 32.4% (213/657) associated chief physicians and 34.9% (152/435) chief physicians, respectively, however there were no statistically significant differences among physicians with different professional titles ( χ2=6.60, P> 0.05). 95.6% (2 119/2 216) of gastroenterologists believed that probiotics could effectively improve bowel function, and 94.0% (2 082/2 216) of gastroenterologists considered that enteral nutrition support could improve patients’ prognosis. Conclusions:The knowledge and dynamic progress of the digestive system injury caused by COVID-19 are still insufficiently grasped by gastroenterologists in China. So it is necessary to carry out systematic and pertinent training programmes for them.
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Objective@#To investigate awareness of digestive system injury caused by corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in gastroenterologists.@*Methods@#From February 21 to 23 in 2020, the electronic questionnaire was sent out to explore the condition of the basic knowledge of COVID-19 and knowledge of digestive system injury caused by COVID-19 grasped by gastroenterologists. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.@*Results@#A total of 2 216 gastroenterologists from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide completed the survey. 99.7% (2 209/2 216) of gastroenterologists stated that they had read the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment guidelines. The percentage of physicians who well knew the diagnostic criteria of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 34.9% (774/2 216) and 39.4% (874/2 216), respectively. The percentage of physician who gave the right answer of COVID-19 detectable methods and lung imaging was 68.4% (1 516/2 216) and 71.6% (1 586/2 216), respectively. The percentage of correct answer of digestive system injury caused by COVID-19 in residents, attending physicians, associate chief physicians and chief physicians was 30.9% (134/433), 33.9% (234/691), 32.4% (213/657) and 34.9% (152/435), respectively, however there were no statistically significant differences among physicians of different level (χ2=6.60, P> 0.05). 95.6% (2 119/2 216) of gastroenterologists believed that probiotics could effectively improve bowel function, and 94.0% (2 082/2 216) of gastroenterologists considered that enteral nutrition support could improve patients’ prognosis.@*Conclusions@#The knowledge and dynamic progress of the digestive system injury caused of COVID-19 are still insufficiently grasped by gastroenterologists in China. So it is necessary to carry out systematic and pertinent training for them.
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Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor. Although the overall incidence and mortality rates of liver cancer has been decreasing in recent years, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated liver cancer tends to increase. The health and social issues brought by NAFLD-associated liver cancer have attracted more and more attention, and its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis and treatment await further research. This article summarizes the current epidemiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated liver cancer.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the gastroscopic manifestations of gastric mucosa in portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and the association of PHG with gastroesophageal varices, ulcers, and liver cirrhosis complications. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 867 patients with liver cirrhosis who were treated in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University from August 2012 to June 2018, and the incidence rates of gastroesophageal varices, PHG, and ulcers were recorded. Meanwhile, the data of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were collected. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and a Spearman correlation analysis was also performed. ResultsThe incidence rate of PHG in the patients with liver cirrhosis reached 66.2% (574/867), and gastric mucosa abnormalities in mild PHG were mainly red-spot lesions (68.6%) and snakeskin (56.8%), while diffuse erythema (76.5%) was the main gastric mucosa abnormality in severe PHG. There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with different severities of esophageal varices (χ2=304712, P＜0.05), and the severity of PHG increased with the aggravation of esophageal varices (r=0.515, P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with different severities of gastric varices (χ2=81.004, P＜0.05), and the severity of PHG was positively correlated with that of gastric varices (r=0.292, P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of PHG between the patients with varices at different locations (χ2=41.361, P＜0.05); the patients with gastric varices alone had the lowest incidence rate of PHG (34.8%) and only had mild PHG, and those with gastroesophageal varices had the highest incidence rate of PHG (85.6%). Among the patients without PHG, 71 (24.2%) were hospitalized due to hematemesis and/or tarry stool, and among the 574 patients with PHG, 316 (55.1%) were hospitalized, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (χ2=74562, P＜0.05). ConclusionPatients with different severities of PHG have different features of gastric mucosa abnormalities. The development and severity of PHG are closely associated with the severity of gastroesophageal varices and are important causes of gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis. PHG should be treated and prevented to reduce the risk and complications of gastrointestinal bleeding.