Accuracy of visceral adiposity indices and lipid accumulation products in the identification of adults at high cardiovascular risk / Exactitud de los índices de adiposidad visceral y productos de acumulación de lípidos en la identificación de adultos de alto riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adipose index (VAI) are clinical markers of visceral obesity and were proposed as simple tools to estimate cardiovascular risk and mortality. The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of the VAI and LAP for high cardiovascular risk patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of accuracy was carried out in 193 patients of both sexes. In addition to the variables VAI and LAP, presence of comorbidities, education, level of physical activity and anthropometric data were obtained. Cardiovascular risk was determined by the Framingham score. Results: No significant difference was observed in the sample in gender distribution (44.6% women; 55.4% men), 24.4% had low cardiovascular risk, 48.7% intermediate risk and 26.9% high cardiovascular risk. Linear regression analysis showed that VAI and LAP explain, respectively, only 2.4% and 5.2% of the variation in cardiovascular risk expressed by the Framingham score. The analysis of areas under the curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) indicated a significant effect only of LAP to diagnose individuals with high cardiovascular risk, but with low sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Our results indicate that VAI and LAP explain only a small percentage of the variation in the Framingham cardiovascular risk score. LAP index still deserves more attention in a cohort study, because, even with the limitations of a cross-sectional study, we observed an acceptable sensitivity for it so that the LAP can be used as a screening criterion for requesting more accurate tests. (AU)

Introducción: El producto de acumulación de lípidos (LAP) y el índice adiposo visceral (VAI) son marcadores clínicos de obesidad visceral y fueron propuestos como herramientas simples, económicas y precisas para estimar el riesgo cardiovascular y la mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la precisión de los índices VAI y LAP para el diagnóstico de personas con alto riesgo cardiovascular. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal de precisión en 193 pacientes de ambos sexos en la unidad de cardiología de un hospital universitario. Además de las variables VAI y LAP, se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, presencia de comorbilidades, escolaridad, nivel de actividad física y datos antropométricos para caracterizar la muestra. El riesgo cardiovascular se determinó mediante el Framingham Score. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias significativas en la muestra en la distribución por género (44,6% mujeres; 55,4% hombres), 24,4% riesgo cardiovascular bajo, 48,7% riesgo intermedio y 26,9% riesgo cardiovascular alto. El análisis de regresión lineal mostró que VAI y LAP explican, respectivamente, solo el 2,4% y el 5,2% de la variación del riesgo cardiovascular expresado por el Framingham Score. El análisis de áreas bajo la curva (AUC) para la característica operativa del receptor (ROC) indicó un efecto significativo solo de LAP para diagnosticar individuos con alto riesgo cardiovascular, pero con baja sensibilidad y especificidad. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados indican que VAI y LAP explican solo un pequeño porcentaje de la variación en la puntuación de riesgo cardiovascular de Framingham. El índice LAP aún merece más atención en un estudio de cohortes, ya que, aún con las limitaciones de un estudio transversal, observamos una sensibilidad aceptable del mismo para que el LAP pueda ser utilizado como criterio de cribado para solicitar pruebas más precisas. (AU)

COVID-19 in hospitalized solid organ transplant recipients in a nationwide registry study.

OBJECTIVES: Underlying immunodeficiency has been associated with worse clinical presentation and increased mortality in patients with COVID-19. We evaluated the mortality of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients (SOTR) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19. METHODS: Nationwide, retrospective, observational analysis of all adults hospitalized because of COVID-19 in Spain during 2020. Stratification was made according to SOT status. The National Registry of Hospital Discharges was used, using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision coding list. RESULTS: Of the 117,694 adults hospitalized during this period, 491 were SOTR: kidney 390 (79.4%), liver 59 (12%), lung 27 (5.5%), and heart 19 (3.9%). Overall, the mortality of SOTR was 13.8%. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, SOTR was not associated with higher mortality risk (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-1.03). However, lung transplantation was an independent factor related to mortality (OR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.33-7.43), while kidney, liver, and heart transplantation were not. Being a lung transplant recipient was the strongest prognostic factor in SOT patients (OR = 5.12, 95% CI 1.88-13.98). CONCLUSION: This nationwide study supports that the COVID-19 mortality rate in SOTR in Spain during 2020 did not differ from the general population, except for lung transplant recipients, who presented worse outcomes. Efforts should be focused on the optimal management of lung transplant recipients with COVID-19.

Accuracy of visceral adiposity indices and lipid accumulation products in the identification of adults at high cardiovascular risk.

INTRODUCTION: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adipose index (VAI) are clinical markers of visceral obesity and were proposed as simple tools to estimate cardiovascular risk and mortality. The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of the VAI and LAP for high cardiovascular risk patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study of accuracy was carried out in 193 patients of both sexes. In addition to the variables VAI and LAP, presence of comorbidities, education, level of physical activity and anthropometric data were obtained. Cardiovascular risk was determined by the Framingham score. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the sample in gender distribution (44.6% women; 55.4% men), 24.4% had low cardiovascular risk, 48.7% intermediate risk and 26.9% high cardiovascular risk. Linear regression analysis showed that VAI and LAP explain, respectively, only 2.4% and 5.2% of the variation in cardiovascular risk expressed by the Framingham score. The analysis of areas under the curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) indicated a significant effect only of LAP to diagnose individuals with high cardiovascular risk, but with low sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that VAI and LAP explain only a small percentage of the variation in the Framingham cardiovascular risk score. LAP index still deserves more attention in a cohort study, because, even with the limitations of a cross-sectional study, we observed an acceptable sensitivity for it so that the LAP can be used as a screening criterion for requesting more accurate tests.

Long term SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immunity after COVID-19 in liver transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: Long-term immunity after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in immunosuppressed patients is not well characterized. We aimed to explore the long-term natural immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in liver transplant (LT) recipients compared to the non-transplanted population (control group). METHODS: Fifteen LT recipients and 15 controls matched according to variables associated with disease severity were included at 12 months following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) onset. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with peptide pools covering spike (S), nucleocapside (N), and membrane (M) proteins. Reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were identified using flow cytometry, and cytokine production was evaluated in the culture supernatants using cytometric bead array. Serum anti-N and anti-S IgG antibodies were detected with chemiluminescence. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with a positive response in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against each viral protein and IL2, IL10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels was similar between LT recipients and controls. IFN-γ levels were positively correlated with the percentage of reactive CD4+ (p = 0.022) and CD8+ (p = 0.043) T cells to a mixture of M + N + S peptide pools. The prevalence and levels of anti-N and anti-S IgG antibodies were slightly lower in the LT recipients, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: LT recipients exhibited a similar T cell response compared to non-transplanted individuals one year after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Frecuentación del servicio de urgencias y reingresos no programados durante el primer año del trasplante de hígado y su repercusión en la supervivencia / Emergency department frequentation and unscheduled readmissions within the first year after liver transplantation, and their impact on survival

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la frecuentación de la sala de emergencias, las causas de las visitas y los reingresos no programados dentro del primer año después del alta hospitalaria después del trasplante de hígado. También se evaluó su impacto en la supervivencia del injerto y del paciente. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de 98 pacientes (edad media, 55,6 ± 8,59 años, 77,6 % varones) que fueron dados de alta hospitalaria de forma consecutiva tras someterse a un primer trasplante hepático en nuestra institución durante 2012-2015. Se analizaron todas las visitas a urgencias durante los primeros años tras el trasplante y se calculó la supervivencia a los dos años tras el trasplante. Cincuenta y seis de los 98 pacientes (57,15 %) acudieron a urgencias en 117 ocasiones durante el primer año postrasplante. Fiebre (n = 34; 29,05 %) y síntomas digestivos (n = 32; 27. 35 %) fueron las causas más comunes de consulta y dieron lugar a más de la mitad de las visitas. Treinta y cinco de estos 56 pacientes (62,5 %) requirieron un reingreso urgente durante 50 de las 117 (42,7 %) visitas. Esto se debió principalmente a complicaciones infecciosas (44 %) de diversas causas (neumonía bacteriana, colangitis, colitis por Clostridium difficile) y problemas relacionados con las vías biliares. La probabilidad de reingreso aumentó del 11,22 % a los 30 días del alta al 22,4 % a los 90 días del alta. La supervivencia de los pacientes al año y 2 años después del trasplante fue menor para los pacientes que reingresaron (88,4 % y 80,7 %, respectivamente) en comparación con los que no reingresaron (95,56 % y 91,17 %, respectivamente, p = 0,002). (AU)

Emergency department frequentation and unscheduled readmissions within the first year after liver transplantation, and their impact on survival.

The aim of this study was to assess emergency room frequentation, visit causes, and unscheduled readmissions within the first year after discharge from hospital following liver transplantation. Their impact on graft and patient survival was also assessed. This was a retrospective study of the medical records of 98 patients (mean age, 55.6 ± 8.59 years, 77.6 % males) who were consecutively discharged from hospital after undergoing a first liver transplant in our institution during 2012-2015. All visits to the emergency room during the first years after transplantation were analyzed, and survival at two years after transplantation was calculated. Fifty-six of the 98 patients (57.15 %) visited the emergency room on 117 occasions within the first year post-transplantation. Fever (n = 34; 29.05 %) and digestive symptoms (n = 32; 27.35 %) were the most common causes of consultation, and resulted in over half of visits. Thirty-five of these 56 patients (62.5 %) required an urgent readmission during 50 of the 117 (42.7 %) visits. This was primarily due to infectious complications (44 %) of diverse causes (bacterial pneumonia, cholangitis, Clostridium difficile colitis) and biliary tract-related issues. The likelihood of readmission increased from 11.22 % at 30 days after discharge to 22.4 % at 90 days after discharge. Patient survival at 1 and 2 years after transplantation was lower for patients who were readmitted (88.4 % and 80.7 %, respectively) when compared to those who were not readmitted (95.56 % and 91.17 %, respectively, p = 0.002).

Decreased Long-Term Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Specific Humoral Immunity in Liver Transplantation Recipients 12 Months After Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Long-term humoral immunity and its protective role in liver transplantation (LT) patients have not been elucidated. We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in LT recipients 12 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 65 LT recipients were matched with 65 nontransplanted patients by a propensity score including variables with recognized impact on COVID-19. LT recipients showed a lower prevalence of anti-nucleocapsid (27.7% versus 49.2%; P = 0.02) and anti-spike IgG antibodies (88.2% versus 100.0%; P = 0.02) at 12 months. Lower index values of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies were also observed in transplantation patients 1 year after COVID-19 (median, 0.49 [interquartile range, 0.15-1.40] versus 1.36 [interquartile range, 0.53-2.91]; P < 0.001). Vaccinated LT recipients showed higher antibody levels compared with unvaccinated patients (P < 0.001); antibody levels reached after vaccination were comparable to those observed in nontransplanted individuals (P = 0.70). In LT patients, a longer interval since transplantation (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.20) was independently associated with persistence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies 1 year after infection. In conclusion, compared with nontransplanted patients, LT recipients show a lower long-term persistence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after COVID-19 in LT patients achieves a significant increase in antibody levels, comparable to that of nontransplanted patients.

Changes in humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection in liver transplant recipients compared to immunocompetent patients.

The protective capacity and duration of humoral immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection are not yet understood in solid organ transplant recipients. A prospective multicenter study was performed to evaluate the persistence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in liver transplant recipients 6 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resolution. A total of 71 liver transplant recipients were matched with 71 immunocompetent controls by a propensity score including variables with a well-known prognostic impact in COVID-19. Paired case-control serological data were also available in 62 liver transplant patients and 62 controls at month 3 after COVID-19. Liver transplant recipients showed a lower incidence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at 3 months (77.4% vs. 100%, p < .001) and at 6 months (63.4% vs. 90.1%, p < .001). Lower levels of antibodies were also observed in liver transplant patients at 3 (p = .001) and 6 months (p < .001) after COVID-19. In transplant patients, female gender (OR = 13.49, 95% CI: 2.17-83.8), a longer interval since transplantation (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36), and therapy with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (OR = 7.11, 95% CI: 1.47-34.50) were independently associated with persistence of antibodies beyond 6 months after COVID-19. Therefore, as compared with immunocompetent patients, liver transplant recipients show a lower prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and more pronounced antibody levels decline.

Epidemiological pattern, incidence, and outcomes of COVID-19 in liver transplant patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The incidence and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in immunocompromised patients are a matter of debate. METHODS: We performed a prospective nationwide study including a consecutive cohort of liver transplant patients with COVID-19 recruited during the Spanish outbreak from 28 February to 7 April, 2020. The primary outcome was severe COVID-19, defined as the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care, and/or death. Age- and gender-standardised incidence and mortality ratios (SIR and SMR) were calculated using data from the Ministry of Health and the Spanish liver transplant registry. Independent predictors of severe COVID-19 among hospitalised patients were analysed using multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: A total of 111 liver transplant patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (SIR = 191.2 [95% CI 190.3-192.2]). The epidemiological curve and geographic distribution overlapped widely between the liver transplant and general populations. After a median follow-up of 23 days, 96 patients (86.5%) were admitted to hospital and 22 patients (19.8%) required respiratory support. A total of 12 patients were admitted to the ICU (10.8%). The mortality rate was 18%, which was lower than in the matched general population (SMR = 95.5 [95% CI 94.2-96.8]). Overall, 35 patients (31.5%) met criteria of severe COVID-19. Baseline immunosuppression containing mycophenolate was an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 (relative risk = 3.94; 95% CI 1.59-9.74; p = 0.003), particularly at doses higher than 1,000 mg/day (p = 0.003). This deleterious effect was not observed with calcineurin inhibitors or everolimus and complete immunosuppression withdrawal showed no benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Being chronically immunosuppressed, liver transplant patients have an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 but their mortality rates are lower than the matched general population. Upon hospital admission, mycophenolate dose reduction or withdrawal could help in preventing severe COVID-19. However, complete immunosuppression withdrawal should be discouraged. LAY SUMMARY: In liver transplant patients, chronic immunosuppression increases the risk of acquiring COVID-19 but it could reduce disease severity. Complete immunosuppression withdrawal may not be justified. However, mycophenolate withdrawal or temporary conversion to calcineurin inhibitors or everolimus until disease resolution could be beneficial in hospitalised patients.

Delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a case of acute cholecystitis and intestinal malrotation type I.

In adults, intestinal malrotation is an oligosymptomatic entity that is occasionally discovered during the course of diagnostic studies for other causes. In the case described herein, intestinal malrotation was discovered during investigation for cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis. Malrotation may occur due to alterations in the asymmetric cellular dynamics of the mesentery responsible for intestinal shortening and unilateral retraction, this may occur as a secondary event following alterations in the expression of homeodomain transcription factors. The incidental finding of asymptomatic intestinal malrotation in adults does not preclude its surgical treatment. However, when intestinal malrotation is associated with cholecystitis, due to cholelithiasis, it is advisable, to first treat the cholecystitis conservatively, in our case, and then perform partial adhesiolysis of the Ladd bands that hinder access to the cystic area and carry out cholecystectomy by elective laparoscopy.

Barriers to HCV treatment in the era of triple therapy: a prospective multi-centred study in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: (i) To describe the demographic, clinical, virological and histological characteristics of the patients undergoing evaluation for indication of triple therapy against hepatitis C virus genotype 1, and to identify the reasons why candidate patients are excluded; and (ii) to evaluate the characteristics of the healthcare environment related to treatment. METHODS: Observational, prospective and multi-centred study involving 16 hospitals of Spain. Data were collected on 1122 patients receiving attention in the outpatient clinics between June and December 2012. RESULTS: Of the 1122 patients evaluated, 769 were finally included in this study; 27% (211/769) had contraindications to the therapy. Of those without contraindications, 54% (301/558) did not receive the treatment, and so, only about a third of the patients (33%-257/769) underwent therapy. The reasons for not initiating therapy were as follows: patient refusal (30%), mild disease/awaiting new treatments (34%), restrictions by the health service (30%), other reasons (6%). In univariate analyses, the probability of receiving treatment was related to: age <60 years, male gender, high education level, advanced fibrosis, having had previous treatment, being assessed in a centre of excellence. In multivariate analyses, the factors independently related to the probability of receiving treatment were as follows: high education level of the patients (P = 0.004), advanced fibrosis (P < 0.001) and centres of excellence (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Despite the high efficacy of triple therapy, only a small proportion of patients receive the treatment. The causes related to non-treatment depend on patient factors, disease stage and characteristics of the health-service provision.

Acute deafness as an extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis.

Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss is a syndrome with an immunological mechanism occasionally associated with diverse autoimmune diseases. We describe a case of sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with ulcerative colitis. Several pathogenic mechanisms have been invoked. Treatment is steroid therapy and should be initiated when symptoms appear to restore hearing.