Optimization of biliary drainage in inoperable distal malignant strictures.

BACKGROUND: Given most patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction present in the non-resectable stage, palliative endoscopic biliary drainage with fully covered metal stent (FCMS) or uncovered metal stent (UCMS) is the only available measure to improve patients' quality of life. Half covered metal stent (HCMS) has been recently introduced commercially. The adverse effects and stent function between FCMS and UCMS have been extensively discussed. AIM: To study the duration of stent patency of HCMS and compare it with FCMS and UCMS to optimize biliary drainage in inoperable patients with distal malignant obstruction. Secondary aims in our study included evaluation of patients' survival and the rates of adverse events for each type of stent. METHODS: We studied 210 patients and randomized them into three equal groups; HCMS, FCMS and UCMS were inserted endoscopically. RESULTS: Stent occlusion occurred in (18.6%, 17.1% and 15.7% in HCMS, FCMS and UCMS groups, respectively, P = 0.9). Stent migration occurred only in patients with FCMS (8.6% of patients). Cholangitis and cholecystitis occurred in 11.4% and 5.7% of patients, respectively, in FCMS. Tumor growth occurred only in 10 cases among patients with UCMS after a median of 140 d, sludge occurred in nine, seven and one patients in HCMS, FCMS and UCMS, respectively (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Given the prolonged stent functioning time, the use of HCMS is preferred over the use of UCMS and FCMS for optimizing biliary drainage in patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction.

Cost Analysis of Biliary Drainage Using Metal versus Plastic Stents in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Obstructive Jaundice.

BACKGROUND: The optimal method of biliary drainage for biliary obstruction caused by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial, and the possible endoscopic application of plastic and metal stents is the least invasive procedure to improve patients' quality of life. AIM: Our objective was to study cost evaluation based on a clinical efficacy of both procedures in a randomized trial comparing both approaches in patients with biliary obstruction caused by HCC. METHODS: The strategy of management was based on clinical effectiveness of biliary drainage with either metal or plastic stents in 90 patients over a 1-year follow-up period. Total (direct and indirect) costs were evaluated. RESULTS: The direct costs were EGP 40,857.84 and 21,802.62 per patient with plastic and metal stents, respectively. Concerning the indirect costs, EGP 888 and 454 were spent for each patient with plastic and metal stents, respectively. The differences in the costs resulted from patients with plastic stent insertion requiring more second endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures and more medication, medical consultation, and hospitalization during the year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this analysis, the use of metal stents rather than plastic stents in biliary drainage is more cost effective for this group of patients.

Elastography and serum markers of fibrosis versus liver biopsy in 1270 Egyptian patients with hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a leading cause of liver fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare utility of liver transient elastography, AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), Forns Index and Goteborg University cirrhosis index (GUCI) in predicting fibrosis stage assessed by liver biopsy in Egyptian CHC patients. METHODS: One thousand two-hundred and seventy CHC patients undergoing liver biopsy in preparation for therapy and 40 healthy potential living liver donors had transient elastography and calculation of APRI, FIB4, Forns and GUCI scores on the same day or day preceding the biopsy. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.89 (17-60 years) and most were males (70.7%). All donors had F0 fibrosis, most patients had F1-F2 fibrosis (n = 1011, 79.6%) and 259 (20.4%) had F3-F4 fibrosis. Patients with F3-F4 fibrosis had higher median values of APRI (0.99 vs. 0.46), FIB4 (2.15 vs. 0.95) and Forns (7.34 vs. 4.79) indices, GUCI score (1.16 vs. 0.49) and transient elastography (19.2 vs. 6.2 kPa) (all P = 0.001). For F1 discrimination, AUROC of transient elastography was higher than both Forns and GUCI scores (P = 0.001). APRI, FIB4 and GUCI had lower AUROC than transient elastography for predicting fibrosis stage in F2 and F3 patients (P = 0.001). Transient elastography had the best area under receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting fibrosis stage in F4 patients (P = 0.001). The transient elastography cutoff values (kPa) were F1 (>4.8), F2 (>8.3), F3 (>10.1) and F4 (>13.4). Age, APRI, FIB4, Forns, GUCI and transient elastography were independent predictors of F3-F4 fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Liver elastography is superior to APRI, FIB4, Forns and GUCI scores in predicting fibrosis in CHC patients.

Direct-acting antiviral drugs improve the female sexual burden associated with chronic HCV infection.

Background: The impact of patient cure by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) associated with HCV hasn't been studied.Aim: To study the impact of DAAs on associated FSD in patients with chronic HCV infection.Methods: In patients with chronic HCV infection who were eligible for DAAs, the self-administered female-sexual-function index (FSFI) questionnaire was completed by 300 sexually active females' patients before treatment and compared to equal number of age and socioeconomically matched controls. FSFI questionnaire results after treatment were compared to patients' baseline results.Results: The mean total score for the patients was significantly lower than that for controls (16.77 ± 1.36 versus 17.52 ± 0.99, P < 0.001). Patients after treatment with DAAs significantly scored better results than baseline results in the total score and all domains of the questionnaire and significantly less patients had FSD compared to baseline (2.7% versus 29.3% P < 0.05). Patients' mean FSFI score significantly improved after cure (18.8 ± 0.27 vs. 16.77 ± 1.36, P < 0.001).Conclusion: Hepatitis C has negative impacts on FSF and affecting all domains of FSFI. The DAAS improve the sexual burden associated with hepatitis C in patients who achieved sustained virologic response.

Optimizing the Diagnostic Role of Alpha-Fetoprotein and Abdominal Ultrasound by Adding Overexpressed Blood mRNA Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 for Diagnosis of HCV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) is involved in tumor invasiveness and metastasis and significantly overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of blood mRNA MMP-12 overexpression in patients with HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to June 2017, 100 patients with HCC (HCV-related cirrhosis) and 100 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis (without HCC) were included in this study. All patients were subjected to triphasic CT abdomen when indicated, liver profile, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and molecular characterization of metalloproteinase-12 expression. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding CBC parameters and liver profile (p value > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between patients with and without HCC regarding blood mRNA MMP-12 overexpression (p value < 0.01), blood mRNA MMP-12, and/or AFP (sensitivity 84.0%, specificity 60.0%, PPV 51.2%, and NPP 88.2%). The accuracy of mRNA MMP-12 and/or AFP in detection of HCC was 68.0%. CONCLUSION: Blood mRNA MMP-12 has a good sensitivity and a bad specificity but is accurate in HCC diagnosis. Adding blood mRNA MMP-12 to AFP optimizes the current screening program to improve early diagnosis of HCC and hence better prognosis.

Male Sexual Dysfunction Among Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Before and After Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health burden that affects quality of life, with a negative impact on sexual functioning (SF). AIM: To study male sexual dysfunction (MSD) among Egyptian men with chronic HCV infection and the impact of therapy with direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) on their sexual health. METHODS: The self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was completed by 400 sexually active male patients with chronic HCV infection without liver cirrhosis before the initiation of therapy with DAAs and then again at the completion of therapy. We compared these baseline questionnaires with those completed by a similar number of age-matched and socioeconomic status-matched controls. In the patients with HCV infection, we also compared IIEF questionnaires completed before and after DAA therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We determined the proportions of patients and controls who were dissatisfied with their sexual life and the impact of clearing HCV infection on MSD and evaluated the impact of DAA therapy on the total IIEF score and scores in all IIEF domains. RESULTS: Men with chronic HCV infection before DAA treatment had significantly higher erectile dysfunction (ED) scores compared with controls, and scores increased with age (P < .0001). The average scores in all IIEF domains was significantly lower in the patients compared with controls in all age groups. Men with chronic HCV infection had significantly higher ED scores before cure than after cure (P < .0001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Given the high prevalence of MSD in patients with chronic HCV infection, and given that curing the HCV virus can improve the MSD associated with HCV infection, it is recommended that sexual quality of life in men with HCV be addressed as part of the evaluation protocol before initiation of DAA treatment and again after cure in an effort to improve this particular aspect of quality of life. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This is the first study to report on MSD in the era of DAA therapy in Egyptian men with chronic HCV infection before the development of cirrhosis, with a relatively large study population. The use of a detailed version of the IIEF questionnaire reinforces the validity of our study. CONCLUSION: Chronic HCV infection negatively impacts MSD, affecting all domains of the IIEF, and effects increase with age. The MSD associated with HCV infection is significantly improved in patients who are cleared of the virus. These findings require further confirmation and need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive therapeutic plan to improve patients' quality of life. Elshimi E, Morad W, Mohamad NE. Male Sexual Dysfunction Among Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Before and After Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs. J Sex Rev 2019;16:402-409.

The relation of blood lead and QRS-T angle in American adults.

The QRS-T angle is a key ECG predictor for ventricular arrhythmia. Lead has a strong relation with cardiovascular diseases; however, no study has been conducted to investigate the association between lead exposure and QRS-T angle. Thus, we explored this association in a population-based representative sample: NHANES III. We used the standard 12-lead ECGs to calculate Spatial QRS-T angles. Blood lead concentration was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. We conducted multivariate weighted logistic regression to adjust for impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, poverty index, age, race, and smoking status. We found that when the log of blood lead increased by one unit, the odds of an abnormal QRS-T angle increased by 34% among men and 4% among women. We suggest the use of QRS-T angle deviation among those who are exposed to lead to detect individuals at risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes such as arrhythmias.

Association Between Urinary Cadmium and QRS|T Angle Among Adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Cadmium's effect on QRS|T angle has not been studied. An abnormal QRS|T angle deviation may increase the risk for ventricular dysrhythmias. METHODS: We calculated the orientation of spatial QRS|T angle using QRS and T amplitudes of leads V2, V5, V6, and AVF from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III. Cadmium concentration was measured in urine. We fit weighted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions to calculate odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A unit increase in the logarithm of urinary cadmium increased the odds of QRS|T angle deviation by 30% [1.30 (1.01 to 1.61)]. CONCLUSIONS: Cadmium exposure was associated with an abnormal QRS|T angle in women but not in men. Women exposed to cadmium should be periodically evaluated to detect QRS|T angle deviation, which can predispose them to ventricular dysrhythmias.

THE BENEFICIAL VALUES OF TRANSOESOPHAGEAL DOPPLER IN INTRAOPERATIVE FLUID GUIDANCE VERSUS STANDARD CLINICAL MONITORING PARAMETERS IN INFANTS UNDERGOING KASAI OPERATION.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload in infants can result from inappropriate volume expansion (VE). The aim of this work was to evaluate the beneficial values of Transoesophageal Doppler TED in intraoperative fluid guidance versus standard clinical monitoring parameters in infants undergoing Kasai operation. METHODS: Forty infants scheduled for Kasai procedure were randomly allocated into two groups (Doppler and clinical group). In Doppler group decided to provide VE (10-30 m1/kg of Hydroxyethyl starches HES) when the index stroke volume decreased by ≥ 15% from the baseline value, in clinical group, hemodynamic variables triggering colloid administration mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) less than 20% below baseline or central venous pressure (CVP) < 5 cmH2O in both groups: Ringer's acetate was infused at constant rate (6 m 1/kg/h). Standard and TED-derived data were recorded before and after VE. Follow up the postoperative outcome and hospital stay. RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean volume of HES (42.85 ± 3.93 versus 84 ± 14.29 ml) and percent of infants required it (30% versus 90%) associated with earlier tolerance to oral feeding (2 ± 0.66 versus 3.4 ± 0.51), shorter hospital stay (5.30 ± 0.47 versus 6.7 ± [symbols: see text] days) and lower rate of chest infection (15% versus 30%) in Doppler group than clinical group. There was no difference between the two studied groups regarding heart rate, MAP. CONCLUSIONS: TED guided intraoperative fluid intake in infants undergoing Kasai operation optimize fluid consumption and improve outcome associated with shorter hospital stay.

THE BENEFICIAL VALUES OF TRANSOESOPHAGEAL DOPPLER IN INTRAOPERATIVE FLUID GUIDANCE VERSUS STANDARD CLINICAL MONITORING PARAMETERS IN INFANTS UNDERGOING KASAI OPERATION.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload in infants can result from inappropriate volume expansion (VE). The aim of this work was to evaluate the beneficial values of Transoesophageal Doppler TED in intraoperative fluid guidance versus standard clinical monitoring parameters in infants undergoing Kasai operation. METHODS: Forty infants scheduled for Kasai procedure were randomly allocated into two groups (Doppler and clinical group). In Doppler group decided to provide VE (10-30 mI/kg of Eydroxyethyl starches HES) when the index stroke volume decreased by ≥ 15% from the baseline value, in clinical group, hemodynamic variables triggering colloid administration mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) less than 20% below baseline or central venous pressure (CVP) < 5 cmH2O in both groups: Ringer's acetate was infused at constant rate (6 m l/kg/h). Standard and TED-derived data were recorded before and after VE. Follow up the postoperative outcome and hospital stay. RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean volume of HES (42.85 ± 3.93 versus 84 14.29 ml) and percent of infants required it (30% versus 90%) associated with earlier tolerance to oral feeding (2 ± 0.66 versus 3.4 ± 0.51), shorter hospital stay (5.30 ± 0.47 versus 6.7 ± 0.92 days) and lower rate of chest infection (15% versus 30%) in Doppler group than clinical group. There was no difference between the two studied groups regarding heart rate, MAP. CONCLUSIONS: TED guided intraoperative fluid intake in infants undergoing Kasai operation optimize fluid consumption and improve outcome associated with shorter hospital stay.

Intravenous patient-controlled fentanyl with and without transversus abdominis plane block in cirrhotic patients post liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Coagulation changes can complicate liver resection, particularly in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this prospective hospital-based comparative study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) with and without transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. METHODS: Fifty patients with Child's A cirrhosis undergoing liver resection were randomly divided into two groups for postoperative analgesia, ie, an IVPCA group receiving a 10 µg/mL fentanyl bolus of 15 µg with a 10-minute lockout and a maximum hourly dose of 90 µg, and an IVPCA + TAP group that additionally received TAP block (15 mL of 0.375% bupivacaine) on both sides via a posterior approach with ultrasound guidance before skin incision. Postoperatively, bolus injections of bupivacaine 0.375% were given every 8 hours through a TAP catheter inserted by the surgeon in the open space during closure of the inverted L-shaped right subcostal with midline extension (subcostal approach) guided by the visual analog scale score (<3, 5 mL; 3 to <6, 10 mL; 6-10, 15-20 mL) according to weight (maximum 2 mg/kg). The top-up dosage of local anesthetic could be omitted if the patient was not in pain. Coagulation was monitored using standard coagulation tests. RESULTS: Age, weight, and sex were comparable between the groups (P>0.05). The visual analog scale score was significantly lower at 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours (P<0.01) in IVPCA + TAP group. The Ramsay sedation score was lower only after 72 hours in the IVPCA + TAP group when compared with the IVPCA group (1.57±0.74 versus 2.2±0.41, respectively, P<0.01). Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and fentanyl consumption were lower in the IVPCA + TAP group at 24, 48, and 72 hours (P<0.05). Intensive care unit stays were significantly shorter with TAP (2.61±0.74 days versus 4.35±0.79 days, P<0.01). Prothrombin time and International Normalized Ratio indicated temporary hypocoagulability in both groups. CONCLUSION: Combining TAP with IVPCA improved postoperative pain management and reduced fentanyl consumption, with a shorter stay in intensive care. TAP block can be included as part of a balanced multimodal postoperative pain regimen.

Female sexual dysfunction among Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis C is associated with many extrahepatic manifestations that impact and impair the quality of life. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a high prevalence in Egypt and carries with the diagnosis many social impacts and stigmatization correlates that further impair social function. This might negatively impact patients and their sexual function. Sexuality and sexual function have not been studied well in patients with HCV, especially in women. AIM: To investigate sexual dysfunction in Egyptian women with chronic hepatitis C. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores of patients with hepatitis C, both total and for individual domains, were compared with those of controls. METHODS: The self-administered FSFI questionnaire was completed by 112 sexually active female patients with chronic hepatitis C without liver cirrhosis prior to initiation of therapy by pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Their results were compared to those of 225 age- and socioeconomic class-matched sexually active healthy females. RESULTS: Significantly more patients than controls had questionnaire scores below the threshold of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) (79% vs. 21%, P < 0.05), and the mean total score for the patients was significantly lower than that for controls (19.54 ± 6.2 vs. 28.43 ± 4.9 P < 0.001). The patients' scores in all domains of the questionnaire were significantly lower than those of the controls. CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis C negatively impacts female sexual function, affecting all domains of the sex cycle; this warrants further studies and needs to be addressed as part of a comprehensive therapy plan to improve patients' quality of life.