Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Becomes the Leading Indication for Liver Transplant Registrants Among US Adults Born Between 1945 and 1965

BACKGROUND

Improved efforts in screening and treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are expected to reduce its burden among adults on the liver transplantation (LT) waitlist (WL). We aim to evaluate birth cohort-specific liver disease etiology trends in US adults listed for and receiving LT.

METHODS

We evaluated 2005-2016 United Network for Organ Sharing LT registry data to evaluate birth cohort-specific trends in LT WL registrants and recipients in the US. Annual trends in etiology of liver disease at listing were compared between the 1945-1965 birth cohort and the non-1945-1965 birth cohort, were stratified by presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC vs. non-HCC), and were focused on the four leading indications for LT in the US, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), HCV infection, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and those with combined alcoholic cirrhosis with HCV (HCV/ALD).

RESULTS

From 2005 to 2016, although HCV infection was a leading indication for LT WL registration among the 1945-1965 birth cohort patients until 2015, NASH overtook HCV infection as the leading indication in 2016. When stratified by HCC status, both ALD and NASH surpassed HCV infection as the leading indication among 1945-1965 birth cohort WL registrants without HCC, whereas HCV infection remained the leading indication among patients with HCC. When evaluating trends in patients who received LT, HCV infection remained the leading indication among the 1945-1965 birth cohort patients.

CONCLUSION

In 2016, NASH surpassed HCV infection as the leading indication for WL registration among the 1945-1965 birth cohort patients. Improved HCV screening, increased availability of effective HCV infection treatment, and rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may explain changes in LT indication among this group.

Suboptimal Use of Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation May Lead to Higher Readmissions and Costs in End-Stage Liver Disease

Background/Aims: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have a high risk for readmission. We studied the role of palliative care consultation (PCC) in ESLD-related readmissions with a focus on health care resource utilization in the United States. Methods: We performed a retrospective longitudinal analysis on patients surviving hospitalizations with ESLD from January 2010 to September 2014 utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database with a 90-day follow-up after discharge. We analyzed annual trends in PCC among patients with ESLD. We matched PCC to no-PCC (1:1) using propensity scores to create a pseudorandomized clinical study. We estimated the impact of PCC on readmission rates (30- and 90-day), and length of stay (LOS) and cost during subsequent readmissions. Results: Of the 67,480 hospitalizations with ESLD, 3485 (5.3%) received PCC, with an annual increase from 3.6% to 6.7% (p for trend <0.01). The average 30- and 90-day annual readmission rates were 36.2% and 54.6%, respectively. PCC resulted in a lower risk for 30- and 90-day readmissions (hazard ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38-0.47 and 0.38, 95% CI: 0.34-0.42, respectively). On subsequent 30- and 90-day readmissions, PCC was associated with decreased LOS (5.6- vs. 7.4 days and 5.7- vs. 6.9 days, p < 0.01) and cost (US $48,752 vs. US $75,810 and US $48,582 vs. US $69,035, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Inpatient utilization of PCC for ESLD is increasing annually, yet still remains low in the United States. More importantly, PCC was associated with a decline in readmission rates resulting in a lower burden on health care resource utilization and improvement in cost savings during subsequent readmissions.

Increasing metabolic co-morbidities are associated with higher risk of advanced fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Hepatic fibrosis and advanced fibrosis in particular is the strongest predictor of liver-related outcomes and mortality among nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. Understanding prevalence and predictors of NASH with advanced fibrosis is critical for healthcare resource planning. Using a large U.S. clinical laboratory database from 10/1/2017-9/30/2018, adults negative for hepatitis B and hepatitis C and after excluding for alcoholic liver disease and pregnancy were evaluated for prevalence of F3 and F4 fibrosis using a systematic algorithm of five fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) criteria: Criteria 1 (≥F3: >2.67), Criteria 2 (2.67<F3≤4.12 and F4>4.12), Criteria 3 (2.67<F3≤3.15, F4>3.15), Criteria 4 (3.25<F3≤3.5, F4>3.5), Criteria 5 (3.25<F3≤4.12, F4>4.12). Metabolic co-morbidities evaluated included decreased high density lipoprotein (<40 mg/dL men, <50 mg/dL women), high triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), elevated hemoglobin A1C (≥6.5%). Parallel analyses of patients with specific NAFLD/NASH ICD-9/10 codes from 10/1/2013-9/30/2018 were performed. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated for predictors of ≥F3 fibrosis. Among patients with NAFLD/NASH ICD-9/10 codes, ≥F3 prevalence ranged from 4.35% - 6.90%, and F4 prevalence ranged from 2.52%– 3.67%. Increasing metabolic co-morbidities was associated with higher risk of ≥F3 fibrosis. Compared to NASH patients without metabolic co-morbidities, NASH with four concurrent metabolic co-morbidities had higher risk of ≥F3 (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.40–1.73, p<0.001). In summary, prevalence of NASH with advanced fibrosis among U.S. adults was as high as 6.90% and prevalence of NASH with cirrhosis was as high as 3.67%, representing 5.18 million and 2.75 million, respectively, when using an estimate of 75 million U.S. adults with NAFLD. Co-morbid metabolic abnormalities were associated with higher risk of advanced fibrosis among NASH patients.

Low Rates of Linkage and Retention Into Care Among Patients With Chronic HBV Infection

Successful linkage and retention of newly diagnosed hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients is critical for disease monitoring. Existing studies have demonstrated significant gaps in the HBV care continuum among U.S. veterans¹ and have mostly focused on adherence to laboratory testing or initial linkage. However, retention is especially important, given that decisions to start antiviral therapies are often not made until subsequent evaluation, and studies report high rates of becoming treatment-eligible among patients who were not eligible at initial evaluation.² Given the existing system and socioeconomic barriers in access to care, understanding contributors to gaps and delays in HBV linkage and retention among safety-net populations is critical. We aim to evaluate prevalence and predictors of linkage and retention among HBV patients at an urban safety-net hospital.

Global Perspective on Hepatitis B Virus Infections in the Era of Effective Vaccines

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health burden. The chronicity of this infection leads to complication such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, making it a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic infection commonly develops among those who acquire infection during childhood, hence the importance of effective implementation of HBV vaccination policies designed to eradicate chronic HBV. This article provides updated estimates of worldwide HBV disease prevalence and discusses how implementation of vaccination policies has affected HBV epidemiology.

Patients With Acute on Chronic Liver Failure Grade 3 Have Greater 14-Day Waitlist Mortality Than Status-1a Patients

Patients listed for liver transplantation (LT) as status 1a currently receive the highest priority on the waiting list. The presence of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) with three or more organs failing (ACLF-3) portends low survival without transplantation, which may not be reflected by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) score. We compared short-term waitlist mortality for patients listed status 1a and those with ACLF-3 at listing. Data were analyzed from the United Network for Organ Sharing database, years 2002-2014, for 3,377 patients listed status 1a and 5,099 patients with ACLF-3. Candidates with ACLF were identified based on the European Association for the Study of the Liver Chronic Liver Failure Consortium criteria. MELD-Na score was treated as a categorical variable of scores <36, 36-40, and >40. We used competing risks regression to assess waitlist mortality risk. Evaluation of outcomes through 21 days after listing demonstrated a rising trend in mortality among ACLF-3 patients at 7 days (18.0%), 14 days (27.7%), and 21 days (32.7%) (P < 0.001) compared to a stable trend in mortality among individuals listed as status 1a at 7 days (17.9%), 14 days (19.3%), and 21 days (19.8%) (P = 0.709). Multivariable modeling with adjustment for MELD-Na category revealed that patients with ACLF-3 had significantly greater mortality (subhazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.61) within 14 days of listing compared to status-1a candidates. Analysis of the interaction between MELD-Na category and ACLF-3 showed that patients with ACLF-3 had greater risk of 14-day mortality than status-1a-listed patients, across all three MELD-Na categories. Conclusion: Patients with ACLF-3 at the time of listing have greater 14-day mortality than those listed as status 1a, independent of MELD-Na score; these findings illustrate the importance of early transplant evaluation and consideration of transplant priority for patients with ACLF-3.

Assessing the safety of beta-blocker therapy in cirrhosis patients with ascites: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Beta-blocker therapy is effective at reducing risks of variceal bleeding. However, beta-blockers may detrimentally exacerbate the underlying haemodynamic changes in cirrhosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate impact of beta-blockers on all-cause mortality among cirrhosis patients with ascites.

METHODS

A literature search identified studies that evaluated beta-blocker vs no beta-blocker therapy in cirrhosis patients with ascites. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality with subcohort analysis of patients with refractory or severe ascites. Quality of observational studies was assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and overall certainty of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

Eight observational studies, representing 3627 cirrhosis patients with ascites (1630 treated with beta-blockers and 1997 not treated), were included. Pooled all-cause mortality was 38.6% in beta-blocker group vs 42.2% in no beta-blocker group (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.77-1.13, χ²  = 54.03, I²  = 87%). Subcohort analysis of cirrhosis patients with refractory or severe ascites demonstrated 33.3% mortality in beta-blocker group vs 32.1% in no beta-blocker group (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.70-1.40, χ²  = 32.99, and I²  = 82%). Three studies were good quality and five studies were fair quality. GRADE rating was 'very low' certainty of evidence, given concern for bias and inconsistency stemming from significant heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

No significant increase in all-cause mortality was observed in cirrhosis patients with ascites treated with beta-blockers. However, given the low certainty of the evidence, high quality prospective studies are needed.

Prevalence of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Adults in the United States, 2001-2016

This national survey study uses National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to estimate the prevalence of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) overall and with stage 2 or greater and stage 3 or greater fibrosis among US adults from 2001 to 2016.

Factors Associated with Survival of Patients With Severe Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure Before and After Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) with 3 or more failing organs (ACLF-3) is controversial. We compared liver waitlist mortality or removal according to model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score vs ACLF category. We also studied factors associated with reduced odds of survival for 1 year after liver transplantation in patients with ACLF-3.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) from 2005 through 2016. We identified patients who were on the waitlist (100,594) and those who received liver transplants (50,552). Patients with ACLF were identified based on the European Association for the Study of the Liver-chronic liver failure criteria. Outcomes were evaluated with competing risks regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Patients with ACLF-3 were more likely to die or be removed from the waitlist, regardless of MELD-sodium (MELD-Na) score, compared with the other ACLF groups; the proportion was greatest for patients with an ACLF-3 score and MELD-Na score below 25 (43.8% at 28 days). Mechanical ventilation at liver transplantation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.84), donor risk index above 1.7 (HR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09-1.35), and liver transplantation within 30 days of listing (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81-0.98) were independently associated with survival for 1 year after liver transplantation CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of data from the UNOS registry, we found high mortality among patients with ACLF-3 on the liver transplant waitlist, even among those with lower MELD-Na scores. So, certain patients with ACLF-3 have poor outcomes regardless of MELD-Na score. Liver transplantation increases odds of survival for these patients, particularly if performed within 30 days of placement on the waitlist. Mechanical ventilation at liver transplantation and use of marginal organs were associated with increased risk of death.

The Impact of Ethnic Subgroups on Tumor Stage at Diagnosis, Treatment Received, and Long-Term Survival Among Asian Adults With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes among Asians may differ by the Asian ethnic subgroup. We aim to evaluate the impact of the Asian ethnic subgroup on HCC tumor stage, treatment received, and overall survival among US adults.

METHODS

Using the 2004-2012 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results U.S. cancer registry, we retrospectively evaluated disparities in HCC tumor stage at diagnosis, HCC treatment received, and overall survival among Asian adults, stratified by Asian ethnic subgroups. Multivariate regression models evaluated the independent impact of Asian ethnic subgroups on the HCC tumor stage at diagnosis, treatment received, and overall long-term survival.

RESULTS

Among 8160 Asians with HCC, Southeast Asian (SEA) patients accounted for 26% of all HCC, followed by Chinese (CH) (22%), and Filipinos (FP) (14.0%) patients. Japanese (JP) patients were significantly older than those of the other subgroups (mean 71.1, SD 10.8, P < 0.01). When evaluating HCC stage, FP patients were less likely to have localized HCC and less likely to have HCC within the Milan criteria than CH HCC patients. When evaluating HCC treatment, pacific islanders (PI), FP and SEA patients were significantly less likely to any receive HCC treatment than CH patients. Overall five-year HCC survival was highest among CH HCC patients (33.1%) and lowest among FP (19.9%) and JP patients (22.0%).

CONCLUSION

Among Asians with HCC in the US, significant disparities among Asian ethnic subgroups exist. More advanced disease was seen among FP patients, less HCC treatment was seen among FP and SEA patients, and significantly higher mortality was seen among FP, SEA, and JP patients with HCC.

Improved liver transplant waitlist mortality and lower risk of disease progression among chronic hepatitis C patients awaiting liver transplantation after the introduction of direct-acting antiviral therapies in the United States

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection achieve high cure rates, reducing HCV-related disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aim to evaluate the impact of DAAs on US liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated US adults (age ≥18) with and without chronic HCV listed for LT before and after the widespread use of sofosbuvir, allowing a 6-month period after approval (Era 1: 1/1/2002-5/31/2014 vs Era 2: 6/1/2014-12/31/2016) using the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Overall, LT waitlist survival and likelihood of receiving LT were evaluated with multivariate Cox regression models. From 2002 to 2016, 158 045 patients were listed for LT. While the number of patients listed for HCV has been decreasing since 2012, the proportion of HCV patients with concurrent HCC is increasing by 3.33% per year (R² : 0.99, P < 0.001 by simple linear regression). While there was no difference in likelihood of LT between HCV and non-HCV patients, those listed in Era 2 had lower likelihood of LT (HR: 0.91, P < 0.001), more pronounced in the HCV cohort (HR: 0.83, P < 0.001) compared to the non-HCV cohort (HR: 0.93, P < 0.001). Compared to non-HCV patients, higher waitlist mortality was seen in HCV patients in Era 1 (HR: 1.08, P < 0.001) but not in Era 2 (HR: 1.02, P = 0.75). Since the introduction of DAAs for HCV treatment, number of patients with HCV listed for LT has declined. In the post-DAA era, HCV patients on the LT waitlist had improved waitlist mortality.

Diagnostic and Treatment Implications of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 75 to 100 million adults in the United States and is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, fueled by the rising epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome; thus, accurately assessing and managing comorbid metabolic syndrome components is paramount. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subset of NAFLD that includes a more progressive and advanced form of the disease, with a greater risk of fibrosis progression. Correctly diagnosing and staging NAFLD and distinguishing the subset of NASH patients is not only critical for disease monitoring and prognostication, but also holds potential implications for therapies. Although the current therapeutic landscape for NAFLD does not offer many options, future therapies are on the horizon. Properly staging the severity of disease and fibrosis is especially important when considering the eligibility and cost-effectiveness of these therapies.

Sub-optimal Testing and Awareness of HCV and HBV Among High Risk Individuals at an Underserved Safety-Net Hospital

Sub-optimal screening for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) among high risk groups delays diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to evaluate overall rates of HCV and HBV screening and patient knowledge of their testing result. Adults age ≥18 years undergoing elective outpatient endoscopy at a large, urban safety-net hospital from July 2015 to July 2016 were prospectively evaluated to determine rates of HCV and HBV testing, the results of those completed tests, and patient knowledge of test results among high risk individuals (as determined by U.S. Preventative Services Task Force). Among 1125 patients (52.3% male, 70.4% foreign-born), 66.5% were high risk for chronic HCV; only 30.9% received prior testing. 14.7% had positive chronic HCV infection. Patients born in the 1945-1965 cohort were more likely to have received prior HCV testing compared to those born outside of this cohort (32.7 vs. 16.9%, p = 0.01). Among patients who received HCV screening, 29.3% were aware of test results. Overall, 61.6% were high risk for chronic HBV; only 25.1% received prior testing. 4.1% were positive for chronic HBV. Compared to Caucasians, Asians (19.0 vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001) and Hispanics (20.0 vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001) were less likely to have previous HBV testing. Among patients who received prior HBV screening, 18.4% were aware of test results. Less than one-third of high risk patients received HCV and HBV screening among an ethnically diverse safety-net population. Equally low rates of patient knowledge of testing results were observed.

Has Access to Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Changed for Patients With Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders in the Direct-Acting-Antiviral Period?

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) became available in 2014, but the role of mental health or substance use disorders (MH/SUD) on access to treatment is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the extent and predictors of HCV treatment in the pre-DAA and post-DAA periods in four large, diverse health care settings in the United States. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 29,544 adults with chronic HCV who did or did not receive treatment from January 1, 2011, to February 28, 2017. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to examine cumulative risk for receiving HCV treatment stratified by MH/SUD. Predictors of HCV treatment in the pre-DAA (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013) and post-DAA (January 1, 2014, to February 28, 2017) cohorts were analyzed using multivariate generalized estimating equations and a modified Poisson model. Overall, 21.7% (2,879/13,240) of those with chronic HCV post-DAA were treated compared with 3.5% (574/16,304) in the pre-DAA period. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic whites (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25, 0.52) were less likely to be treated in the post-DAA period. Those with concurrent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (AOR 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05, 1.83), cirrhosis (AOR 2.00; 95% CI, 1.74, 2.31), and liver transplant (AOR 2.72; 95% CI, 1.87, 3.94) were more likely to be treated post-DAA. Those with MH/SUD were less likely to be treated both before (AOR 0.46; 95% CI, 0.36, 0.60) and after (AOR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.55, 0.71) DAA therapy was available. Overall, the cumulative risk for receiving HCV treatment from 2011 to 2017 among those with versus without MH/SUD was 13.6% versus 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The volume of patients treated for HCV has increased in the post-DAA period, especially among those with liver-related comorbidities, but disparities in access to treatment continue among those with MH/SUD.

Hepatic Encephalopathy is a Strong Predictor of Early Hospital Readmission Among Cirrhosis Patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cirrhosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Early readmission to the hospital after discharge increases the clinical and economic burden of cirrhosis patients. We aim to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of early hospital readmission among cirrhosis patients among an underserved safety-net health system.

METHODS

All consecutive adults with cirrhosis seen at the gastroenterology clinics at our safety-net health system from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluate to determine rates of 30-day readmission after hospital discharge. Comparison of readmission rates between groups used chi-square testing. Overall predictors of 30-day hospital readmission were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models, with variables included in the model selected a priori based on clinical significance to the outcome.

RESULTS

Among 230 cirrhosis patients (63.5% men, 80.6% were nonwhite minorities), 27.1% had chronic hepatitis C virus; 16.0%, chronic hepatitis B virus; 34.2%, alcoholic cirrhosis; and 8.0%, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Overall 30-day hospital readmission rates were 31.3%. There was a trend towards higher rates of 30-day readmission in men than in women (23.9% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.075) and trend towards higher readmission in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites (35.3% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.093). On multivariate regression, hepatic encephalopathy was the strongest positive predictor of early 30-day hospital readmission (odds ratio 4.40, 95% confidence interval 1.25-7.28, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Among underserved safety-net cirrhosis patients, 30-day hospital readmission rates were over 30%. Given that presence of hepatic encephalopathy was most strongly correlated with readmissions, targeted interventions to improve management of hepatic encephalopathy may have the greatest impact on improving cirrhosis-related outcomes.

One in five hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the United States are Hispanic while less than 40% were eligible for liver transplantation

AIM

To evaluate trends and disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes among Hispanic patients in the United States with a focus on tumor stage at diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated all Hispanic adults (age > 20) with HCC diagnosed from 2004 to 2014 using United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data. Tumor stage was assessed by SEER-specific staging systems and whether HCC was within Milan criteria at diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated for predictors of HCC within Milan criteria at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Overall, Hispanics accounted for 19.8% of all HCC (73.3% men, 60.9% had Medicare or commercial insurance, 33.5% Medicaid, and 5.6% uninsured). Thirty-eight percent of Hispanic HCC patients were within Milan criteria at diagnosis. With latter time periods, significantly more patients were diagnosed with HCC within Milan criteria, and in 2013-2014, 42.6% had HCC within Milan criteria. On multivariate regression, Hispanic males (OR vs females: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.68-0.83, P < 0.001), Hispanics > 65 years (OR vs age < 50: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.58-0.79, P < 0.001), and uninsured patients (OR vs Medicare/commercial: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.40-0.59, P < 0.001) were significantly less likely to have HCC within Milan criteria at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

While one in five HCC patients in the United States are of Hispanic ethnicity, only 38% were within Milan criteria at time of diagnosis, and thus over 60% were ineligible for liver transplantation, one of the primary curative options for HCC patients. Improved efforts at HCC screening and surveillance are needed among this group to improve early detection.

Underserved Does Not Mean Undeserved: Unfurling the HCV Care in the Safety Net

The availability of the new generation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has completely transformed the HCV therapeutic landscape. Current regimens provide pan-genotypic coverage that are of short duration, safer, and are highly effective than prior generations of HCV therapeutics. While data from clinical trials and real-world experience continue to demonstrate similar and high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, the successful implementation of the HCV cascade-of-care including screening, confirmation of active infection, treatment initiation and successful completion of therapy among more challenging populations, such as the underserved populations who are also disproportionally affected by HCV, remains vital to HCV eradication efforts.

Underserved Does Not Mean Undeserved: Unfurling the HCV Care in the Safety Net

The availability of the new generation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has completely transformed the HCV therapeutic landscape. Current regimens provide pan-genotypic coverage that are of short duration, safer, and are highly effective than prior generations of HCV therapeutics. While data from clinical trials and real-world experience continue to demonstrate similar and high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, the successful implementation of the HCV cascade-of-care including screening, confirmation of active infection, treatment initiation and successful completion of therapy among more challenging populations, such as the underserved populations who are also disproportionally affected by HCV, remains vital to HCV eradication efforts.

High Prevalence of Cirrhosis at Initial Presentation Among Safety-Net Adults with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Delays in diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) may be more common among underserved safety-net populations, contributing to more advanced disease at presentation. We aim to evaluate rates of and predictors of cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related complications among adults with chronic HBV.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated consecutive chronic HBV adults from gastroenterology clinics from July 2014 to May 2016 at a community-based safety-net hospital. Prevalence of cirrhosis or cirrhosis-related complications (ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)) at initial presentation was stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. Predictors of cirrhosis or cirrhosis-related complications at presentation were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 329 chronic HBV patients (mean age 49.1 years, 55.3% male, 66.5% Asian, 18.6% HBeAg positive) 27.7% had cirrhosis at presentation, 4.3% ascites, 3.7% variceal bleeding, 4.9% HE, and 4.0% HCC. Compared to women, men were more likely to have cirrhosis (34.6% vs. 19.1%, P < 0.01) and variceal bleeding (5.6% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.05) at presentation. On multivariate regression, older age at presentation (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = 0.003) and positive HBeAg (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.20-5.51; P = 0.015) were associated with higher odds of cirrhosis at presentation, whereas men had a non-significant trend toward higher odds of cirrhosis (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.99-3.58; P = 0.055).

CONCLUSION

Among adults with chronic HBV at an ethnically diverse safety-net hospital system, nearly 30% of patients had cirrhosis at initial presentation, with the greatest risk seen among patients of male sex, older age, and with positive HBeAg.

Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Stage at Diagnosis in the 1945-1965 Birth Cohort Reflects Poor Use of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening

Individuals from the 1945-1965 birth cohort account for the majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in the United States. Understanding trends in HCC among this birth cohort is vital given the increasing burden of chronic liver disease among this group. We retrospectively evaluated trends and disparities in HCC tumor stage at the time of diagnosis among the 1945-1965 birth cohort in the United States using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry. Tumor stage at the time of HCC diagnosis was assessed using Milan criteria and SEER HCC staging systems. Among 38,045 patients with HCC within the 1945-1965 birth cohort (81.6% male, 50.1% non-Hispanic white, 16.2% African American, 12.6% Asian, 19.8% Hispanic), 66.2% had Medicare or commercial insurance, 27.2% had Medicaid, and 6.6% were uninsured. During the period 2004-2006 to 2013-2014, the number of patients with HCC from the 1945-1965 birth cohort increased by 58.7% (5.9% increase per year). While the proportion of patients with HCC within the Milan criteria increased with time (36.4% in 2003-2006 to 46.3% in 2013-2014; P < 0.01), less than half were within the Milan criteria. On multivariate analysis within the Milan criteria, men were 12% less likely to have HCC compared to women, and African Americans were 27% less likely to have HCC compared to non-Hispanic whites (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.78; P < 0.01). Conclusion: From 2004 to 2014, the burden of newly diagnosed HCC among the 1945-1965 birth cohort increased by 5.9% per year. While improvements in earlier staged HCC at diagnosis were observed, the majority of patients with HCC among the 1945-1965 birth cohort were beyond the Milan criteria at diagnosis; this may reflect poor utilization or suboptimal performance of HCC screening tests.

Class III obesity is a risk factor for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome of systemic inflammation and organ failures. Obesity, also characterized by chronic inflammation, is a risk factor among patients with cirrhosis for decompensation, infection, and mortality. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that obesity predisposes patients with decompensated cirrhosis to the development of ACLF.

METHODS

We examined the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database, from 2005-2016, characterizing patients at wait-listing as non-obese (body mass index [BMI] <30), obese class I-II (BMI 30-39.9) and obese class III (BMI ≥40). ACLF was determined based on the CANONIC study definition. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to assess the association between obesity and ACLF development at liver transplantation (LT). We confirmed our findings using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), years 2009-2013, using validated diagnostic coding algorithms to identify obesity, hepatic decompensation and ACLF. Logistic regression evaluated the association between obesity and ACLF occurrence.

RESULTS

Among 387,884 patient records of decompensated cirrhosis, 116,704 (30.1%) were identified as having ACLF in both databases. Multivariable modeling from the UNOS database revealed class III obesity to be an independent risk factor for ACLF at LT (hazard ratio 1.24; 95% CI 1.09-1.41; p <0.001). This finding was confirmed using the NIS (odds ratio 1.30; 95% CI 1.25-1.35; p <0.001). Regarding specific organ failures, analysis of both registries demonstrated patients with class I-II and class III obesity had a greater prevalence of renal failure.

CONCLUSION

Class III obesity is a newly identified risk factor for ACLF development in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Obese patients have a particularly high prevalence of renal failure as a component of ACLF. These findings have important implications regarding stratifying risk and preventing the occurrence of ACLF.

LAY SUMMARY

In this study, we identify that among patients with decompensated cirrhosis, class III obesity (severe/morbid obesity) is a modifiable risk factor for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). We further demonstrate that regarding the specific organ failures associated with ACLF, renal failure is significantly more prevalent in obese patients, particularly those with class III obesity. These findings underscore the importance of weight management in cirrhosis, to reduce the risk of ACLF. Patients with class III obesity should be monitored closely for the development of renal failure.

More severe deficits in functional status associated with higher mortality among adults awaiting liver transplantation

The impact of functional status on liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes is not well studied. Early evidence suggests frailty portends increased mortality. We aim to evaluate the association of functional status with LT waitlist survival and the probability of receiving LT among adults with cirrhosis. Using 2005-2016 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, we retrospectively assessed the association of functional status, as determined by Karnofsky Performance Status Score (KPSS) with LT waitlist survival and the probability of receiving LT using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Among 118 954 patients listed for LT, patients with worse Karnofsky scores, indicating poor functional status, were progressively more likely to receive liver transplantation compared to patients with better scores, with the most functionally disabled group having 68% higher probability of receiving LT (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.61-1.75, P < 0.001). Worse functional status was associated with increased waitlist mortality, with the most functionally disabled group 97% more likely to die on the waitlist (HR 1.97; 95% CI 1.81-2.16, P < 0.001). In conclusion, among patients awaiting LT, worse functional status was associated with significantly higher waitlist mortality.

Race/ethnicity is an independent risk factor for autoimmune hepatitis among the San Francisco underserved

Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is more common in women and affects people of all races/ethnicities, there is currently limited information regarding the relationship between race/ethnicity and AIH, especially in the context of underserved populations. We aim to evaluate the relationship between race/ethnicity and AIH and better characterize its clinical features among different racial groups. We conducted a 15-year retrospective analysis, from January 2002 to June 2017, of patients seen at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). Sixty-three AIH patients and 2049 non-AIH controls were eligible for the study. The main predictor of interest was race/ethnicity, and the main outcome of interest was AIH diagnosis; other secondary measures recorded include clinical features such as ALT, bilirubin, and biopsy fibrosis at presentation. In a multivariable model adjusting for age and sex, we found that black (OR 9.6, 95% CI 1.8-178), Latino (OR 25.0, 95% CI 5.3-448), and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) (OR 10.8, 95% CI 2.2-196) race/ethnicity were associated with increased odds of an AIH diagnosis compared to the white reference group. Among people of colour with AIH, there were no significant differences in baseline ALT (p = .45), total bilirubin at presentation (p = .06), fibrosis at presentation (p = .74), and hospitalization (p = .27). Race/ethnicity is an independent risk factor for AIH. The clinical features of AIH did not differ significantly among black, Latino, and API patients.