Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use in Patients With Steatotic Liver Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) help manage type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and may have efficacy in steatotic liver disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of GLP-1 RA use in patients with T2DM and liver disease. Methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients with T2DM and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) between 1/1/21-12/31/21. Patients with hepatitis B or C, or on pioglitazone were excluded. Eligible patients treated with a GLP-1 RA were compared to controls. The primary outcome was change in Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, with NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) as a secondary outcome. Follow-up scores were calculated from labs within 3 to 15 months after baseline. Results: Of 242 eligible patients, 79 patients (32.6%) were treated with a GLP-1 RA. At baseline, FIB-4 score was lower and NFS was higher in the GLP-1 RA group vs controls (1.80 vs 2.33; P = .101, .36 vs -.47, P < .001; respectively). At follow up, FIB-4 score decreased to 1.77 in the GLP-1 RA group and increased to 2.71 in controls (P = .045). Follow up NFS was stable in the GLP-1 RA group and increased in the control group (.36 vs -.43; P = .308). Conclusion: Patients treated with GLP-1 RAs had less evidence of liver fibrosis progression compared to no treatment, although the differences were small. These results suggest that treatment with GLP-1 RAs may have clinical impact on slowing liver fibrosis, however results should be confirmed in a larger, more diverse sample.

Incidence of transaminitis in adults with cystic fibrosis taking elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator modulators are a cornerstone of CF treatment. However, many patients develop CF liver disease (CFLD) over time, and previous data indicate a risk for transaminase elevation with modulator use. Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor is a commonly prescribed modulator with broad efficacy among CF genomic profiles. Theoretically, elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor drug-induced liver injury could exacerbate and further worsen CFLD, but holding modulators can cause a decline in clinical status. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the real-world incidence of transaminase elevations in adult patients with CF taking elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. METHODS: This exploratory, retrospective descriptive study included all adults with CF-prescribed elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor at our institution's outpatient CF clinic. We explored transaminase elevations in 2 separate outcomes: incidence of transaminase elevations of more than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), and transaminase elevations of 25% or more above baseline. RESULTS: 83 patients were prescribed elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. Nine patients (11%) experienced an elevation of more than 3 times ULN and 62 (75%) experienced an elevation of 25% or more above baseline. The median days to transaminase elevation were 108 and 135 days, respectively. Therapy was not discontinued due to transaminase elevations in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Transaminase elevations among adults taking elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor were common but did not result in discontinuation of therapy. Pharmacists should be reassured of the liver safety profile of this important medication for patients with CF.

From Child-Pugh to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease: Deciding Who Needs a Liver Transplant.

This article reviews the historical evolution of the liver transplant organ allocation policy and the indications/contraindications for liver transplant, and provides an overview of the liver transplant evaluation process. The article is intended to help internists determine whether and when referral to a liver transplant center is indicated, and to help internists to counsel patients whose initial evaluation at a transplant center is pending.

Clostridium difficile infection and inflammatory bowel disease.

The prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a focus of increased attention, as the C. difficile epidemic continues to grow. Although first documented more than 20 years ago, only in recent years has the relationship between these 2 entities been better clarified, and recent epidemiologic studies have shown that IBD patients are at increased susceptibility for CDI compared with the general population. Despite this increased attention, much still remains unknown, and the overlapping clinical presentations of CDI and IBD pose barriers to diagnosis and standardized treatment. Moreover, given the relationship between mortality and severity of CDI in IBD patients, early recognition of those who are at increased risk for infection is of paramount importance to improve patient outcome.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent clostridium difficile infection.

With the increasing prevalence of recurrent/refractory Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), alternative treatments to the standard antibiotic therapies are being sought. One of the more controversial of such alternative treatments is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Although the notion of FMT is foreign-even startling-and not esthetic to most people, the concept has been around for many decades. Its benefit and efficacy dates back >50 years to its use for staphylococcal pseudomembranous colitis, and now FMT is showing a great promise as an inexpensive, safe, and highly efficient treatment for recurrent and refractory CDI. Moreover, with a better understanding of the intricacies of the colonic microbiome and its role in colonic pathophysiology, FMT has the potential to become the standard of care for CDI treatment, and a potential answer to other intestinal disorders in years to come.