Metabolic Syndrome After Liver Transplantation: Five-Year Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has increased over the last decades, focusing on the metabolic complications that contribute to patient morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), its components, and its associated factors in patients who underwent OLT in a hospital in Spain. From November 2001 to January 2014, we performed 415 transplantations in 386 patients. We analyzed 204 patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year (77.6% were male and the mean age was 54.2+/-9.5 years). The most frequent etiology was alcohol (41%), followed by hepatitis C virus (29.1%). The indication was decompensated cirrhosis in 51.8% and hepatocellular carcinoma in 34%. According to modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria, 5 years post-transplantation MS was diagnosed in 38.2% of patients. Significant independent predictors of post-transplantation MS on logistic regression analysis were as follows: pretransplantation obesity (odds ratio [OR], 3.09; P = .056), 1-year post-transplantation obesity (OR, 3.95; P = .009), pretransplantation diabetes (OR, 4.63; P = .001), 1-year post-transplantation diabetes (OR, 3.01; P = .015), 1-year post-transplantation hypertension (OR, 1.85; P = .176), and hypertriglyceridemia at the first year after transplantation (OR, 2.32; P = .063). In our center the prevalence of MS at 5 years after OLT is slightly lower than published. The most important risk factors were obesity and diabetes (both pretransplantation and the first year post-transplantation).

Cutaneous mucormycosis infection by Absidia in two consecutive liver transplant patients.

Mucormycosis, although an infrequent fungal infection, has a high mortality in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. We present two cases of cutaneous Absidia mucormycosis in two successive patients undergoing liver transplantation in our hospital. In our literature search, we encountered only one published case of Absidia infection in liver transplantation.

Indications and effectiveness of the mammalian target of rapamycin in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are new immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplantation. They are interesting for liver transplantation because of their absence of nephrotoxicity and potential antitumor effects, because calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are associated with renal dysfunction post-CNI and tumors. We sought to analyze the indications, safety, and efficacy of mTOR among liver transplant patients at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who were treated with mTOR for their indications for liver transplantation, type of immunosuppressive therapy, acute rejection episodes, and evolution of kidney function. RESULTS: We identified 43 (19.02%) patients treated with mTOR including 35 (81.4%) males and 8 (18.6%) females of overall average age of 56.7 (range, 44-68). In 30% of patients, the drug was introduced for kidney failure, and in 23% for actual or a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence. The average time to introduction of the mTOR was 6.4 months (range, 1-46). The final immunosuppressive regimen was mTOR alone (73%), or mTOR plus CNI (23%), or mTOR plus mycophenolate mofetil (4%). The average values of creatinine and urea were lower after conversion to mTOR (P < .05) with a 6.9% incidence of acute rejection episodes. CONCLUSION: The mTOR immunosuppressive drugs are safe for liver transplant patients, effectively controlling renal dysfunction. They can be used in other indications, such as neurotoxicity, de novo tumors, and high risk of HCC recurrence. More studies are needed to clarify their long-term effectiveness.

Covered metal stents for the treatment of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Biliary complications, a major source of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), are increasingly being treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Endoscopic management has been shown to be superior to percutaneous therapy and surgery. Covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMSs) may be an alternative to the current endoscopic standard treatment with periodic plastic stent replacement. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of temporary CSEMS insertion for biliary complications after OLT. METHODS: From November 2001 to December 2009, the 242 OLT performed in 226 patients included 67 cases that developed post-OLT leaks or strictures (29.6%), excluding ischemic biliary complications. CSEMSs were used in 22 patients (33%), 18 male and 4 female, with an overall median age of 55 years (range, 29-69). In-house OLT patients underwent an index ERCP at 26 days (range, 8-784) after OLT. Their records were reviewed to determine ERCP findings, technical success, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: ERCP with sphincterotomy was performed in all 22 patients, revealing 18 with biliary strictures alone (82%), 3 with strictures and leaks (14%), and 1 with strictures and choledocholithiasis (4%). All strictures were anastomotic. All patients had 1-2 plastic stents inserted across the anastomosis (11 had prior balloon dilation); stones were successfully removed, for an initial technical success rate of 100% (22/22). CSEMSs, were placed at the second ERCP in 14 patients, at the third in 7, and at the fourth in 1. With a median follow-up of 12.5 months (range, 3-25) after CSEMS removal, 21/22 patients (95.5%) remain stricture free and one relapsed, requiring repeat CSEMS insertion. Four patients experienced pain after CSEMS insertion. At CSEMS removal, migration was noted in 5 cases, into either the distal duodenum (n=4) or the proximal biliary tree (n=1), and embedding was seen in 1 case. There were no serious complications; no patients needed hepatojejunostomy. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is a safe first-line approach for post-OLT biliary complications. It was highly successful in a population with anastomotic leaks and strictures. The therapeutic role of ERCP to manage biliary complications after OLT in the long term is not well known. In our experience, the high rate (close to 95%) of efficacy and its relative safety allowed us to use CSEMS to manage refractory biliary post-OLT strictures. CSEMS insertion may preclude most post-OLT hepatojejunostomies.

A retrospective study of pediatric endoscopy as performed in an adult endoscopy unit.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe, efficient technique with minimal complications, and a useful diagnostic tool for the pediatric population. Under ideal conditions endoscopies for children should be performed by experienced pediatric endoscopists. In this study we report our experience with pediatric endoscopy at the general adult endoscopy unit in our hospital. Our goal is to quantify the number of endoscopies performed in children, as well as their indications and findings, the type of sedation or anesthesia used, and the time waiting for the test to occur. Our experience demonstrates that endoscopists in a general adult gastroenterology department, working together with pediatricians, may perform a relevant number of endoscopies in children in a fast, safe, effective manner.

Risk of development of the metabolic syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Longer survival for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients over the last decade has focused emphasis on the metabolic complications that contribute to patient morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to analyze the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and other risk factors after OLT among our patients at 1 year follow-up. From 2001 to 2008, we performed OLT in 210 patients with 62 exclusions leaving 148 patients for the study. We recorded age, gender, liver disease, smoking status, pre- and post-OLT body mass index, pre- and post-OLT arterial blood pressure, pre- and post-OLT fasting blood glucose, pre- and post-OLT high-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, family history of diabetes, hepatitis B and C virus status, immunosuppressive therapy, and corticosteroid bolus for rejection episodes. The MS was defined according to modified ATP III criteria. At month 12 after OLT, 29/148 patients (19.6%) developed the MS. The associated factors were obesity and hyperlipidemia pre-OLT, familial and personal history of diabetes as well as alcoholic cirrhosis. By multivariate analysis, pre-OLT body mass index (odds ratio, 3.7 [1.3-10.5]) and pre-OLT diabetes (odds ratio, 2.9 [1.1-7.9]) were independent risk factors.

Estudio retrospectivo sobre la endoscopia pediátrica desarrollada en un servicio de endoscopias de adultos / A retrospective study of pediatric endoscopy as performed in an adult endoscopy unit

La endoscopia gastrointestinal es una técnica segura y eficientecon mínimas complicaciones, así como una útil herramienta diagnósticaen la población pediátrica. En condiciones ideales, las endoscopiasen niños deberían ser realizadas por endoscopistas pediátricosexperimentados. En este estudio reportamos nuestraexperiencia en la realización de endoscopias pediátricas en la Unidadde Endoscopias general de adultos de nuestro hospital.El objetivo es cuantificar la cantidad de endoscopias realizadasen niños, así como las indicaciones y hallazgos de las mismas, eltipo de sedación o anestesia empleado y el tiempo de espera parala realización de la prueba. Nuestra experiencia demuestra que losendoscopistas de un servicio de gastroenterología general de adultos,en colaboración con pediatras, pueden realizar un númeroimportante de endoscopias a niños, de forma rápida, segura y eficaz(AU)

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe, efficient technique withminimal complications, and a useful diagnostic tool for the pediatricpopulation. Under ideal conditions endoscopies for childrenshould be performed by experienced pediatric endoscopists. Inthis study we report our experience with pediatric endoscopy atthe general adult endoscopy unit in our hospital. Our goal is toquantify the number of endoscopies performed in children, as wellas their indications and findings, the type of sedation or anesthesiaused, and the time waiting for the test to occur. Our experiencedemonstrates that endoscopists in a general adult gastroenterologydepartment, working together with pediatricians, mayperform a relevant number of endoscopies in children in a fast,safe, effective manner(AU)

Comparison of two vaccination strategies against hepatitis A and B in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: although the vaccination against hepatitis A (VAH) and hepatitis B (VBH) is recommended in patients with HCV, the most cost-effective strategy has not been established. Our objective was to compare the cost-effectiveness of universal strategy (vaccination all patients) with selective strategy (vaccination only patients against virus they lack immunity to) in patients with HCV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we compared the direct medical costs of the two vaccination strategies against both viruses in 313 patients with HC. Serological markers for HAV (anti-HAV) and HBV (HbsAg, anti HBs, anti HBc) were determined in the 313 patients and the costs of the vaccines and the blood tests necessary to determinate the immunity state in our care system were considered. RESULTS: the prevalence of anti-HAV was 81,2% and of anti-HBc was 24,6%. The prevalence of anti-HAV increases with age. HAV vaccination with universal strategy has a cost of 19.806,64 euro and with selective one of 9.899,62 euro. HBV vaccination with universal strategy rose to 18.780 euro and to 20.385,57 euro with selective one (employing anti-HBc). Costs were analysed in different groups of age and several hepatitis HBV risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: the selective vaccination strategy against HAV was most cost-effective in our patients with HCV. However, when the prevalence of the anti-HAV decreased to less than 20% universal strategy will be the best option. Difference of cost-effective between the two vaccination strategies against HBV was small, on behalf of universal one, so in groups with higher anti-HBc prevalence, like parenteral drugs users and tattoos, the selective strategy could be the best option.

FibroScan evaluation of liver fibrosis in liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Liver biopsy remains the gold standard to evaluate fibrosis. However, it is invasive and uncomfortable as well as associated with complications. Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a simple and noninvasive method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness in kilopascals. Body mass index (BMI) greater than 28 is associated with high rates of invalid tests. Liver transplant patients show increased rates of obesity. We do not yet have many data about the usefulness of FibroScan in liver transplantation. AIMS: To analyze the applicability of FibroScan to assess fibrosis in liver transplantation and study the association between obesity and valid tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively assessed the performance of transient elastography in 29 liver transplant patients from February to May 2008. We prospectively studied the success rate, the elasticity (stiffness) in kilopascals, and the BMI. RESULTS: The BMI was greater than 30 kg/m(2) in four patients; 25 to 30 kg/m(2) in eight; and 17 had BMI < 25 kg/m(2). The overall success of FibroScan was 24/29 (82.7%). However, among patients with BMI > 30 kg/m(2), it was 2/4 (50%), whereas for BMI <25 kg/m(2) it climbed to 100%. The average duration of the procedure was 211.52 seconds for BMI <25 kg/m(2); 236 seconds for BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m(2); and 361 seconds in patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m(2)-differences that were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: FibroScan seemed to be a promising approach to assess liver fibrosis.BMI is a limiting factor toward achieving a valid test; FibroScan had limited usefulness in obese patients.

Comparación de dos estrategias de vacunación frente a la hepatitis A y B en individuos con hepatitis crónica C / Comparison of two vaccination strategies against hepatitis A and B in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Objetivo: aunque se recomienda vacunar frente al virus de la hepatitis A (VHA) y al virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) a los pacientes con infección crónica por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), la estrategia de vacunación más costo-efectiva aún no está establecida. Nuestro objetivo fue comparar la vacunación universal (de todos los individuos) con la selectiva (únicamente de los individuos no inmunizados) frente al VHA y al VHB de los pacientes con infección crónica por VHC en nuestro medio. Pacientes y métodos: comparamos los costes directos de las dos estrategias de vacunación frente a ambos virus en 313 individuos con infección crónica por VHC. Determinamos los marcadores serológicos del VHA (anti-VHA) y del VHB (HBsAg, anti-HBs y anti-HBc) y tuvimos en cuenta los costes de vacunas y reactivos en nuestro ámbito. Resultados: la prevalencia de anti-VHA fue del 81,2% y la de anti-HBc del 24,6%. La prevalencia de anti-VHA aumentaba progresivamente con la edad. La inmunización frente al VHA suponía 19.806,64 € con la estrategia universal y 9.899,62 € con la selectiva. La vacunación frente al VHB ascendía a 18.780 € con la inmunización universal y a 20.385,57 € con la selectiva (mediante el anti-HBc). Se analizaron los costes considerando distintos grupos etarios y diversos factores de riesgo. Conclusiones: en nuestros individuos con infección crónica por VHC la vacunación selectiva frente al VHA es la más costoefectiva. Pero cuando el porcentaje de inmunización frente al VHA desciende por debajo del 20% la mejor opción es la universal. La diferencia en la costoefectividad de ambas estrategias de vacunación frente al VHB es pequeña, a favor de la universal, por lo que en subgrupos con elevada prevalencia de anti-HBc, como adictos a drogas y tatuados, la selectiva podría ser la mejor alternativa(AU)

Objective: although the vaccination against hepatitis A (VAH) and hepatitis B (VBH) is recommended in patients with HCV, the most cost-effective strategy has not been established. Our objective was to compare the cost-effectiveness of universal strategy (vaccination all patients) with selective strategy (vaccination only patients against virus they lack immunity to) in patients with HCV. Patients and methods: we compared the direct medical costs of the two vaccination strategies against both viruses in 313 patients with HC. Serological markers for HAV (anti-HAV) and HBV (HbsAg, anti HBs, anti HBc) were determined in the 313 patients and the costs of the vaccines and the blood tests necessary to determinate the immunity state in our care system were considered. Results: the prevalence of anti-HAV was 81,2% and of anti-HBc was 24,6%. The prevalence of anti-HAV increases with age. HAV vaccination with universal strategy has a cost of 19.806,64 € and with selective one of 9.899,62 €. HBV vaccination with universal strategy rose to 18.780 € and to 20.385,57 € with selective one (employing anti-HBc). Costs were analysed in different groups of age and several hepatitis HBV risk factors. Conclusions: the selective vaccination strategy against HAV was most cost-effective in our patients with HCV. However, when the prevalence of the anti-HAV decreased to less than 20% universal strategy will be the best option. Difference of cost-effective between the two vaccination strategies against HBV was small, on behalf of universal one, so in groups with higher anti-HBc prevalence, like parenteral drugs users and tattoos, the selective strategy could be the best option(AU)

Interleucina-18 (IL-18) y otros parámetros inmunológicos como marcadores de gravedad en la pancreatitis aguda / No disponible

Objetivo: se trata de comparar prospectivamente el comportamientodurante la primera semana del ingreso de los niveles de interleucina-18 (IL-18), y otros parámetros inmunológicos entre pacientescon pancreatitis aguda con y sin criterios de gravedad, así comoentre pacientes con y sin desarrollo ulterior de seudoquiste.Pacientes y métodos: se compararon en 36 pacientes conpancreatitis aguda los resultados de sTNF-RI, IL-1Ra, IL-6 e IL-18los días 1, 2, 3 y 7 desde el ingreso entre pancretitis leve, grave y ungrupo control (13 pacientes) con cólico biliar simple, así como entrepacientes con o sin seudoquiste.Resultados: al comparar pancreatitis leve con grave, IL-18 fuesignificativamente superior sólo el primer día en las pancreatitis gravesy los otros parámetros a partir del segundo día de forma mantenida.También en pacientes que desarrollaron seudoquiste, IL-18 estuvosignificativamente elevada el primer día.Conclusiones: IL-18 resultó el marcador más precoz de complicacionesy gravedad de la pancreatitis aguda a nivel sistémico y local(seudoquiste)

Objective: our aim was to prospectively compare the behaviorof interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels and other immunological parametersduring the first week of hospitalization between acute pancreatitispatients with and without severity criteria, as well asbetween patients with and without late pseudocyst development.Patients and methods: in 36 patients with acute pancreatitiswe compared sTNF-RI, IL-1Ra, IL-6, and IL-18 levels at days1, 2, 3 and 7 after hospitalization between mild pancreatitis, severepancreatitis, and a “control” group (13 patients) with uncomplicatedbiliary colic, as well as between patients with and withoutpseudocyst.Results: on comparing mild to severe pancreatitis, IL-18 wassignificantly higher only the first day in severe pancreatitis, whilethe other parameters were steadily higher after the second day. Inpatients developing pseudocyst, IL-18 was also noticeably higherthe first day.Conclusions: IL-18 appears to be the earliest marker of complicationsand severity in acute pancreatitis at both the systemicand local level (pseudocyst)

Colitis ulcerosa, tacrolimus y curación mucosa / No disponible

No disponible

Esofagitis necrotizante aguda. Una patología poco conocida / No disponible

La esofagitis necrotizante aguda (ENA) es una rara entidadcuya etiología es desconocida, siendo el mecanismo patogénicomultifactorial, participando fundamentalmente el compromiso isquémico,la malnutrición y la obstrucción del tracto digestivo alto.Los hallazgos endoscópicos muestran una coloración negruzca dela mucosa esofágica con transición brusca a nivel de la unión esofagogástrica.El pronóstico depende de las enfermedades de base.Se revisan los casos de ENA, excluyendo los secundarios a caústicos,recogidos de forma retrospectiva durante los últimos 2 años.Se analizan los factores de riesgo, la presentación clínica, los hallazgosendoscópicos, la histología, el tratamiento y la evolución.En nuestro departamento, se han diagnosticado 7 casos de ENAen 6.003 gastroscopias realizadas en el periodo de estudio, representandoasí la ENA el 0,11% de la exploraciones

Acute esophageal necrosis is a rare disorder, and its etiology isunknown, the mechanism of damage being usually multifactorialand secondary to ischemic compromise, acute gastric outlet obstruction,and malnutrition. Endoscopic findings show circumferentialblack discoloration of the distal esophagus with proximal extensionending sharply at the gastroesophageal junction, which isthe most common presentation. Prognosis depends on comorbidillnesses. In this study we analyze all cases reported in a retrospectiveanalysis over a 2-year period to define risk factors, clinicalpresentation, endoscopic features, histological appearance, treatmentand outcome. Our department has recorded 7 cases from6,003 endoscopies performed in the last 2 years. The finding of a"black esophagus" represented 0.11% of cases