Working Subgroup (English version) for Clinical Practice Guidelines for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cirrhosis: The Intractable Hepatobiliary Disease Study Group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan

Speculation of the Time-Dependent Change of FIB4 Index in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Retrospective Study

AIM

To speculate on the time-dependent change of FIB4 index in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its increase-decrease rate per year, simply and accurately.

METHODS

In all 23 patients with NAFLD with the value of FIB4 index over 1.30 at the peak, the period from the first to each examination date was calculated and this period (years) was regarded as x. Next, the mean value of FIB4 index during the past year to each examination date was regarded as y. In every y, the minimum and the maximum y value were found out. Between x corresponding to this minimum y and x corresponding to this maximum y, the correlation between x and y was analyzed as the main subject. Then, the slope of each correlation was investigated, because it should indicate increase-decrease rate per year.

RESULTS

In all 23 patients, the correlations as the main subject were recognized and the mean absolute value of correlation coefficient (r) was 0.91 ± 0.08. As for the slope, the mean absolute value was 0.1371 ± 0.1147 (/year).

CONCLUSION

Simply and accurately, the time-dependent change of FIB4 index and its increase-decrease rate per year could be approximately speculated.

Genetics and epigenetics in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, slowly progressive cholestatic autoimmune liver disease predominantly afflicting women. PBC is characterized by the presence of disease-specific antimitochondrial antibodies and the histological destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, which eventually lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Fortunately, ursodeoxycholic acid therapy has improved the outcome of the vast majority of PBC cases. Although the etiology of PBC has not yet been elucidated, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles have been consistently associated with disease onset for decades. PBC patients may also have genetically determined risk factors in non-HLA regions. Meanwhile, exposure to environmental factors, such as infectious diseases and harmful chemicals, can produce epigenetic alterations in some individuals and subsequent PBC onset. In this review, we describe the influence of HLA alleles and other gene polymorphisms on PBC along with the results of genome-wide association studies on this disease and its future prospects in terms of epigenetics.

Comparison between real-time tissue elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography for the assessment of liver fibrosis and disease progression in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

AIM

Assessing disease progression in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is necessary in order to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate both the diagnostic accuracy of both real-time tissue elastography (RTE) and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), and the usefulness of hepatic and splenic elasticity as predictive markers for the progression of symptomatic PBC.

METHODS

The study participants were 44 patients with PBC. We assessed hepatic and splenic elasticity using RTE and VCTE and measured serum markers related to fibrosis and hepatic and splenic blood flow using Doppler ultrasonography. We then compared RTE and VCTE for diagnostic accuracy. Patients with asymptomatic PBC were followed every 1-3 months.

RESULTS

Both RTE and VCTE performed well and had superior diagnostic accuracy compared with biochemical markers. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for RTE and VCTE were 0.92 and 0.92, 0.95 and 0.91, and 0.97 and 0.91 for F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4, respectively. During follow-up, nine patients (25.0%) developed liver-related symptoms. Multivariate analysis revealed that splenic elasticity assessed using RTE was a significant independent factor for the development of liver-related symptoms (odds ratio, 2.19; P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Real-time tissue elastography offered better diagnostic accuracy for severe fibrosis and cholangitis than VCTE. Splenic elasticity determined using RTE is a useful parameter for evaluating liver-related symptoms and an effective predictive marker of disease progression in patients with asymptomatic PBC.

Finding the cure for primary biliary cholangitis - Still waiting

The introduction of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)may well have contributed to some of the improvements in morbidity and mortality of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Yet nearly 40% of PBC patients are unresponsive to UDCA. Further the data on UDCA is confounded by the changes in the goepidemiology and particularly the earlier diagnosis of PBC. In this regard we welcome the addition of obeticholic acid (OCA) as an alternative therapeutic option forthe treatment of PBC in those patients refractory to UDCA. However, OCA is intellectually disappointing.There is no data on OCA that reflects dynamic and critical endpoints, for example death or liver transplantation; only surrogate endpoints have been used in the clinical trials. A nested study with liver histology wouldbeanideal surrogate marker,including intensive use of immunohistochemistry to define cellular infiltrates and cytokine/chemokine activity. More importantly, the clinical characteristics of PBCmay vary among patients and progression is not always predictable. We need to identify more appropriate and specific biomarkers that predict the clinical course, and we need to know which therapies are applicable at different stages, since treatmentfor PBC should be individualized. We need to know more about the etiology of PBC,and we want a cure for PBC.

Surveillance rates for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C based on Japanese claims database

AIM

Surveillance is recommended for patients with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) such as viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (LC). Although populations are at higher risk in Asia, surveillance rates have not been evaluated in those countries. Therefore, we aimed to examine surveillance rates for HCC and to compare predictors for surveillance among each type of liver disease in Japan.

METHODS

We carried out an observational study using the medical claims data of Japan. A total of 4713 patients who were diagnosed with LC, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were followed for 12 months. We described surveillance rates in patients with HBV or HCV infection or non-viral LC and evaluated potential predictors for follow-up surveillance among them by using multivariable logistic regression analysis, in which we set explanatory variables as sex, age, medical facility, HBV or HCV infection, and LC.

RESULTS

The HCC surveillance rate during follow-up was 42.3% among patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 56.5% with viral cirrhosis and 26.0%, with non-viral LC. Significant predictors for follow-up surveillance were presence of LC and hospital visits. Hepatitis B virus-infected patients aged <50 years and HCV-infected patients aged ≥50 years were more likely to undergo exams, that is, different tendencies between HBV and HCV patients were shown.

CONCLUSIONS

Follow-up surveillance for HCC was not adequately carried out among patients at risk for HCC in Japan, despite of recommendation in guidelines. In future, methodological research might be needed to increase surveillance rates for HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis or those who received treatment at a clinic.

Genetic Contribution to the Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Formerly termed primary biliary cirrhosis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic and progressive cholestatic liver disease characterized by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy is the most effective and approved treatment for PBC and leads to a favorable outcome in the vast majority of cases. Although the etiology of PBC has not yet been elucidated, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles have been consistently associated with disease onset for decades. Individuals in different geographic regions of the world may have varying susceptibility alleles that reflect indigenous triggering antigens. In this review, we describe the influence of HLA alleles and other gene polymorphisms on PBC along with the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on this disease.

Clinical significance of the Scheuer histological staging system for primary biliary cholangitis in Japanese patients

BACKGROUND

Inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We aimed to identify surrogate markers for predicting long-term prognosis and biochemical response to UDCA in patients with PBC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective study, 99 patients with PBC were classified into responders (n=53) and nonresponders (n=46) based on reductions in the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels at 1 year after initiating UDCA therapy (Nara criteria). We assessed whether the criteria for patentability by different countries are useful in predicting the prognosis of PBC. The accuracy of Scheuer and Nakanuma staging systems in predicting prognosis and treatment response was compared.

RESULTS

Nara definition had comparable utility to the Paris-II definition for selecting patients in whom UDCA monotherapy can be safely continued. Patients at Scheuer stage 1 had a significantly better prognosis than those at Scheuer stages 3 or 4 (P<0.05 and 0.0001, respectively). Patients at Nakanuma stage 4 had decreased survival compared with those at stage 1 (P<0.05). The proportion of responders to nonresponders was significantly higher in stages 1-3 PBC than in stage 4 PBC, according to both staging systems (P<0.05 for both). All patients with Scheuer stage 4 PBC were nonresponders, whereas only 28.6% (2/7) of those with Nakanuma stage 4 PBC were responders.

CONCLUSION

The Scheuer staging system had greater utility in predicting long-term prognosis and UDCA response than the Nakanuma staging system.

Anti-mitochondrial M2 Antibodies Enhance the Risk of Supraventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Elevated Hepatobiliary Enzyme Levels

Objective Supraventricular arrhythmias are commonly detected in patients with anti-mitochondrial antibody M2 (AMA-M2)-associated myopathy. However, the prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmias in unselected AMA-M2-positive patients and the impact of AMA-M2 on supraventricular arrhythmias have yet to be fully investigated. Methods We analyzed 384 patients (116 men; age, 60 [48-69] years), who underwent AMA-M2 testing following the detection of elevated hepatobiliary enzymes. Supraventricular arrhythmias involving atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, sick sinus syndrome, and atrial standstill were confirmed by a 12-lead electrocardiogram, 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, and physician-assigned diagnoses within the three years before and two years after the AMA-M2 test. Results Seventy-seven (20%) patients were positive for AMA-M2. The prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmias among AMA-M2-positive patients was higher than that among AMA-M2-negative patients (14% vs. 6%, p=0.008). A univariate analysis showed that supraventricular arrhythmias were associated with AMA-M2 positivity, aging, congestive heart failure, and the CHADS₂ score. The multivariate analysis determined that AMA-M2 positivity was an independent risk factor for supraventricular arrhythmias (odds ratio 3.52, p=0.011). Among the AMA-M2-positive patients, the AMA-M2 titer did not differ to a statistically significant extent, regardless of the presence or absence of supraventricular arrhythmias. Multiple supraventricular arrhythmias with extremely low atrial deflections was a characteristic finding in AMA-M2-positive patients with supraventricular arrhythmias. Conclusion AMA-M2 enhances the risk of supraventricular arrhythmias, indicating the possible involvement of the atrial myocardium and the formation of an arrhythmogenic substrate. The results highlight the need for clinical attention to supraventricular arrhythmias in AMA-M2-positive patients.

Autoimmune liver diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: Proceedings of APASL symposium on AIH and PBC 2016

During the 25th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL 2016) in Tokyo, we organized and moderated an inaugural satellite symposium on the autoimmune liver diseases, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Following the keynote lecture by John M. Vierling (USA), speakers from the Asia-Pacific region provided an up-to-date perspective on the epidemiology, clinical practice and research in AIH and PBC in the Asia-Pacific region. Although epidemiology and clinical features of AIH seem to be similar in East Asia compared to those in western countries, the majority of patients with AIH are detected at an advanced stage and have higher mortality rates in South Asia, indicating an unmet need for earlier diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate immunosuppressive treatment. PBC is more commonly seen in Australia and East Asia. As of 2016, clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for PBC have been published in Japan and China. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is recommended as a first-line therapy by both CPG. Nevertheless, one of the unmet therapeutic needs in PBC is the treatment of patients refractory to or intolerant of UDCA. It is of interest that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in PBC patients was low in Taiwan and mainland China where the prevalence of CHB is very high. In this review, we overview this exciting and epoch-making symposium.

It is time to change primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): New nomenclature from "cirrhosis" to "cholangitis", and upcoming treatment based on unveiling pathology

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, organ-specific, autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive cholestasis, eventually leading to cirrhosis. Several lines of evidence have revealed a crucial role of adaptive as well as innate immune responses in the etiopathogenesis of PBC, and more recently, the biology of bile duct cells and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) demonstrated several key molecules and pathways in this enigmatic disease. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the only approved drug for PBC with clinical evidences for improvement of long-term outcomes, a substantial population have suboptimal responses to UDCA, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. In this regard, second-line treatment for patients refractory to UDCA is strongly awaited. In Japan, bezafibrate (BF) has been frequently used for this purpose, yet recent clinical trials failed to clearly demonstrate clinical efficacy of BF. Novel pharmacotherapies targeted to key molecules and pathways in PBC are upcoming. Finally, we sincerely call on all members of the Japan Society of Hepatology to use from this moment on the name "primary biliary cholangitis" for the disease known by its abbreviation PBC, in keeping with a very recent global agreement.

Biochemical responses to bezafibrate improve long-term outcome in asymptomatic patients with primary biliary cirrhosis refractory to UDCA

BACKGROUND

Bezafibrate is reported to have biochemical efficacy for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) refractory to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), yet the long-term effect is still unknown. In Japan, nationwide surveys of PBC have been performed since 1980. In the current study, we retrospectively examined whether response to bezafibrate treatment is associated with the long-term outcomes using this large-scale database.

METHODS

Among 7,376 patients in the database, we enrolled patients who were treated with UDCA at 13-15 mg/kg per day and followed up for at least 2 years after diagnosis. Bezafibrate (400 mg/day) was administered in addition to UDCA when biochemical response to UDCA was not optimal. Response to bezafibrate treatment was determined by serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels within 2-3 years or at the earliest point thereafter from the commencement of bezafibrate treatment.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1,121 PBC patients, and the observational period was 6.1 ± 3.4 years. Among the PBC patients, 835 were asymptomatic, defined as no liver-related symptoms at the baseline. In asymptomatic PBC patients, multivariate analysis indicated that ALT response to bezafibrate treatment was significantly associated with the presence of liver-related symptoms at the end of observation [hazard ratio 1.46 (95 % confidence interval 1.01-2.13), P = 0.048]. The cumulative liver-related-symptoms-free rate of patients treated with bezafibrate and who had a normal ALT level was significantly higher than that of those treated with bezafibrate and who had an elevated ALT level (P < 0.001), and was comparable to that of those who received UDCA monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that normalization of ALT levels with additional bezafibrate treatment significantly decreased the rate of occurrence of liver-related symptoms in asymptomatic PBC patients with suboptimal response to UDCA.