Substance Use Disorders in Recently Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cirrhosis is often a consequence of substance use disorders (SUD) and can lead to significant morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations. We aimed to determine presence and impact of SUD in recently hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, which has not been previously described. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients with cirrhosis seen at a post-discharge hepatology clinic. The presence of clinically-recognized SUD and documented establishment of addiction treatment, as noted in routine clinical care, was determined through medical record review. Number of hospitalizations, 30-day readmissions, and all-cause mortality at 1 year were also examined. RESULTS: Among 99 patients, 72% were male and the median age was 55 years. The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis C infection. Alcohol use disorder was documented in 71%. Nearly all patients with clinically-recognized SUD underwent social work evaluation during hospitalization and 65% were referred to addiction treatment. Establishment of addiction care at follow up was documented in 35%. Documented SUD was associated with greater odds of hospitalization over 1 year (adjusted odds ratio 5.77, 95% confidence interval [1.36, 24.49], P = 0.017), but not with 30-day readmissions or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically-recognized SUD was common in recently hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and associated with at least 1 other hospitalization within a year. Establishment of addiction treatment was documented in only a minority of patients. Further research is needed to determine whether patients with cirrhosis and SUD experience unique barriers to addiction treatment and if integration of SUD care in hepatology settings may be beneficial.

Being accompanied to liver discharge clinic: An easy measure to identify potential liver transplant candidates among those previously considered ineligible.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis deemed ineligible for liver transplantation are usually followed in general hepatology or gastroenterology clinics, with the hope of re-evaluation once they meet the appropriate criteria. Specific strategies to achieve liver transplant eligibility for these patients have not been studied. AIM: To assess clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with future liver transplant eligibility among patients initially considered ineligible. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with cirrhosis considered non-transplant eligible, but without absolute contraindications, who were scheduled in our transitional care liver clinic (TCLC) after discharge from an inpatient liver service. Transplant candidacy was assessed 1 year after the first scheduled TCLC visit. Data on clinical and sociodemographic factors were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were identified and the vast majority were Caucasian men with alcoholic cirrhosis. 46 patients (67%) presented to the first TCLC visit. Seven of 46 patients that showed to the first TCLC visit became transplant candidates, while 0 of 23 patients that no-showed did (15.2% vs 0%, P = 0.08). Six of 7 patients who showed and became transplant eligible were accompanied by family or friends at the first TCLC appointment, compared to 13 of 39 patients who showed and did not become transplant eligible (85.7% vs 33.3%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients who attended the first post-discharge TCLC appointment had a trend for higher liver transplant eligibility at 1 year. Being accompanied by family or friends during the first TCLC visit correlated with higher liver transplant eligibility at 1 year (attendance by family or friends was not requested). Patient and family engagement in the immediate post-hospitalization period may predict future liver transplant eligibility for patients previously declined.

Advance Care Planning for Patients with Cirrhosis in a Structured Inpatient/Outpatient Hepatology Program.

Background: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have high mortality, but low utilization of palliative care. A transitional care liver clinic (TCLC), bridging inpatient hepatology care to outpatient clinics, should offer the ideal setting for advance care planning (ACP). Objective: To examine ACP and related outcomes for TCLC patients who died within one year of the initial TCLC visit. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Nontransplant eligible ESLD patients, seen in TCLC postdischarge from an inpatient liver unit. Measurements: Charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical data, ACP discussions, code status, location of death, and palliative care consultations. Results: Of the 58 patients who showed for the initial TCLC visit, 18 (31%) died within one year. Most patients were men (67%) with alcoholic cirrhosis (72%), Child-Pugh class C (55.5%) and median age of 56 years (37-72 years). There were no ACP discussions in any TCLC visits even after subsequent hospitalizations. Until their terminal hospitalization, 17 patients (94%) remained full code. Palliative care was consulted for 10 patients (56%). Despite late initiation, within two weeks of death for 6 of those 10 patients, palliative care consultation facilitated arrangements for out-of-hospital death: at home or inpatient hospice (70% vs. 12%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Despite a structured program for ESLD patients, there were no ACP discussions until the terminal hospitalization. These findings support the need to integrate palliative care interventions in the management of ESLD patients, especially taking advantage of postdischarge visits.

Colitis Following Initiation of Sofosbuvir and Simeprevir for Genotype 1 Hepatitis C.

Sofosbuvir and simeprevir are used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) genotype 1. Both drugs have been well-tolerated, with diarrhea noted in 6% cases with sofosbuvir, 16% with sofosbuvir plus simeprevir, and 0% with simeprevir. No prior reports exist of colitis secondary to either drug or their combination. We report a patient with no prior history of inflammatory bowel disease who developed significant bloody diarrhea within 2 weeks of sofosbuvir/simeprevir initiation. Colonoscopy and biopsy confirmed pancolitis, which responded to mesalamine and completion of sofosbuvir/simeprevir.

Pre-liver transplant protocols in dentistry.

The number of adults with end stage liver disease in the U.S., awaiting liver transplantation, has maintained a steady upward trend in recent years. Concurrently, the survival rate of liver transplant recipients has also been on the rise. To be able to safely treat this population, dentists should have familiarity with special management requirements of patients with end stage liver disease. This article reviews the historical background on liver transplantation and provides updated information on indications and evaluation protocols, treatment considerations in end stage liver disease, clinical dental management protocols prior to surgical procedures and dental considerations in the pre-liver transplant candidates.