Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index for fibrosis and cirrhosis prediction in chronic hepatitis C patients

In chronic hepatitis C (CHC), liver biopsy is the gold standard method for assessing liver histology, however it is invasive and can have complications. Non-invasive markers have been proposed and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) has been shown as an easy and inexpensive marker of liver fibrosis. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of APRI for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis prediction in CHC patients. This study included treatment-naive CHC patients who had undergone liver biopsy from January 2000 to August 2006. All histological slides were reviewed according to the METAVIR system. APRI was calculated based on laboratory results performed within four months from the biopsy. Twenty-eight (56 percent) patients had significant fibrosis (F2-F4) and 13 (26 percent) had cirrhosis (F4). The area under ROC curves of APRI for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.92 (0.83-1.00) and 0.92 (0.85-1.00), respectively. Using cut-off values recommended by prior studies, significant fibrosis could be identified, in accordance with liver biopsy, in 44 percent and cirrhosis in 66 percent of patients. APRI could identify significant fibrosis and cirrhosis at a high degree of accuracy in studied patients.

Preditores de qualidade de vida em pacientes com doença renalcrônica em hemodiálise / Predictors of quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients

Introdução: As terapias de caráter crônico apresentam três objetivos básicos: aumentar a longevidade, reduzir a morbidade e melhorar a qualidade devida (QV) dos pacientes. Possíveis associações entre dados demográficos e clínicos objetivos e a QV podem assegurar estratégias para melhoria do bemestarem portadores de doença renal crônica. Objetivo: Identificar fatores associados à QV de pacientes em hemodiálise regular. Metodologia: Foramentrevistados 114 renais crônicos em hemodiálise, utilizando-se o Medical Outcomes Study Questionaire 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) paramedida da QV, e o Beck Depression Inventory para identificar a presença de depressão na amostra. A relação entre o nível de QV, depressão e outrasvariáveis clínicas, laboratoriais e sócio-demográficas foi analisada através da aplicação de modelo de regressão, com ajuste para as diversas co-variáveis.O método de Backward foi utilizado para seleção dos preditores de QV mais significativos (p<0,05). Resultados: Os pacientes tinham em média 46,3 ±13,9 anos, sendo 59,7% homens. Depressão esteve significativa e independentemente associada a pior QV em todas 8 as dimensões do SF-36. Outrasco-morbidades (diabetes e doença vascular periférica), acesso vascular por cateter, gênero masculino, idade mais avançada, ausência de ocupação regulare baixo nível de escolaridade também estiveram significativamente associados a menores pontuações em pelo menos uma das dimensões do SF-36 apósmúltiplos ajustes. Conclusão: Depressão foi o maior preditor de QV da amostra. Esta associação de pior QV com variáveis modificáveis ou preveníveisressalta a importância de intervenções psicossociais e médicas para melhoria do bem-estar de pacientes em hemodiálise.

Background: Chronic therapies have three basic objectives: to increase longevity, reduce mortality and increase patients´ quality of life (QoL). Possibleassociations between objective measurements and QoL can ensure strategies to improve the well-being in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis.Objective: To identify variables associated with QoL among chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: One hundred and fourteen end-stage renal diseasepatients on hemodialysis were interviewed. The Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measurethe QoL level and the Beck Depression Inventory to identify depression. The association between QoL, depression and other clinical, laboratorial and sociodemographicvariables were assessed by means of multivariate regression analysis with adjustments for all baseline characteristics. The Backwardprocedure was used to correct P-values for multiple comparisons. Results: The patients were on average 46.3 ± 13.9 years old, and 59.7% were men.Depression was significantly and independently associated with worse QoL in all eight dimensions of the SF-36. Other comorbidities (diabetes andperipheral vascular disease), vascular access by catheter, male gender, advanced age, lack of a regular occupation, and low level of education were alsosignificantly associated with lower scores on at least one of the dimensions of the SF-36 after multiple adjustments. Conclusion: Depression was thestrongest predictor of QoL for the sample. Associations of poorer QoL with preventable or controllable factors emphasize the need for a greater focus onpsychosocial and medical interventions in order to improve the well-being of hemodialysis patients.