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Ayares G, Díaz LA, Fuentes-López E, Idalsoaga F, Cotter TG, Dunn W, Simonetto D, Shah VH, Kamath PS, Lazarus JV, Bataller R, Arrese M, Wong RJ, Singal AK, Arab JP. Racial and ethnic disparities in the natural history of alcohol-associated liver disease in the United States. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 39096099 DOI: 10.1111/liv.16023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) are influenced by several race and ethnic factors, yet its natural history across the continuum of patients in different stages of the disease is unknown. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of U.S. adults from 2011 to 2018, using three nationally representative databases to examine potential disparities in relevant outcomes among racial and ethnic groups. Our analysis included logistic and linear regressions, along with competing risk analysis. RESULTS Black individuals had the highest daily alcohol consumption (12.6 g/day) while Hispanic participants had the largest prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (33.5%). In a multivariable-adjusted model, Hispanic and Asian participants were independently associated with a higher ALD prevalence compared to Non-Hispanic White interviewees (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8 and OR: 1.5 95% CI:1.1-2.0, respectively), while Blacks participants had a lower ALD prevalence (OR: .7 95% CI: .6-.9), and a lower risk of mortality during hospitalization due to ALD (OR: .83 95% CI: .73-.94). Finally, a multivariate competing-risk analysis showed that Hispanic ethnicity had a decreased probability of liver transplantation if waitlisted for ALD (SHR: .7, 95% CI: .6-.8) along with female Asian population (HR: .40, 95% CI: .26-.62). CONCLUSIONS After accounting for key social and biological health determinants, the Hispanic population showed an increased risk of ALD prevalence, even with lower alcohol consumption. Additionally, Hispanic and Asian female patients had reduced access to liver transplantation compared to other enlisted patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Ayares
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Antonio Díaz
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Fuentes-López
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Idalsoaga
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas G Cotter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Winston Dunn
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Douglas Simonetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, New York, USA
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Arrese
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Juan Pablo Arab
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Ramirez-Cadiz C, Blaney H, Kubanek N, Díaz LA, Loomba R, Skladany L, Arab JP. Review article: Current indications and selection criteria for early liver transplantation in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:1049-1061. [PMID: 38475893 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is a severe inflammatory form of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) that carries a high mortality rate. Early liver transplantation for severe AH is increasingly available. However, specific criteria for referral and selection remain a subject of debate. AIMS To provide a narrative review of the natural history, diagnostic criteria and indications for referral for early liver transplantation for severe AH. METHODS We searched PubMed for articles published through August 2023. Key search terms were 'alcoholic hepatitis,' 'alcohol-associated hepatitis,' 'abstinence,' 'alcohol relapse,' and 'liver transplantation.' RESULTS Previously, a six-month period of alcohol abstinence was required before patients with ALD were considered for liver transplantation. However, studies in recent years have demonstrated that, among carefully selected patients, patients who received early transplants have much higher survival rates than patients with similarly severe disease who did not undergo transplants (77% vs. 23%). Despite these successes, early liver transplantation remains controversial, as these patients have typically not undergone treatment for alcohol use disorder, with the ensuing risk of returning to alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS While early liver transplantation for AH has survival benefits, many patients would not have received treatment for alcohol use disorder. An integrated approach to evaluating candidacy for early liver transplantation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ramirez-Cadiz
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University & London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanna Blaney
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Natalia Kubanek
- Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Slovak Medical University Faculty of Medicine, F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, Banska Bystrica, Slovak Republic
| | - Luis Antonio Díaz
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rohit Loomba
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lubomir Skladany
- Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Slovak Medical University Faculty of Medicine, F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, Banska Bystrica, Slovak Republic
| | - Juan Pablo Arab
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University & London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Singeap AM, Minea H, Petrea O, Robea MA, Balmuș IM, Duta R, Ilie OD, Cimpoesu CD, Stanciu C, Trifan A. Real-World Utilization of Corticosteroids in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Eligibility, Response, and Outcomes. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:311. [PMID: 38399598 PMCID: PMC10890054 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) poses a medical challenge, causing moderately severe to life-threatening episodes with high short- and long-term mortality. This study aimed to explore real-world corticosteroid utilization in severe AH, response predictors, and patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted for severe AH, defined as a Maddrey Discriminant Function score equal to or above 32, at a tertiary care center. We reviewed patients' medical observation charts to identify corticosteroid prescriptions, reasons for ineligibility, and response rates. Responders were defined based on the Lille score, and predictors of non-response were identified. Short-term (one-month) and long-term (one-year) mortality rates were calculated according to treatment and response. Results: Out of 310 patients enrolled with severe AH, 59% received corticosteroids, achieving a response rate of 75.4%. The reasons for not administering corticosteroids were as follows: uncontrolled infections (27.6%), renal dysfunction (20.4%), gastrointestinal bleeding (18.9%), acute pancreatitis (7.1%), uncontrolled diabetes (3.1%), and other or unknown causes (22.8%). The overall 1-month mortality rate was 12.2%, higher in non-responders (35.3%) and patients who did not receive corticosteroids (13.4%) compared to responders (3.6%). The overall 1-year mortality rate was 62.5%, similar between patients who did not receive corticosteroids (78.7%) and non-responders (77.7%) and higher compared to responders (42.8%). Predictive factors for non-response included older age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.08), concomitant cirrhosis (OR= 2.11, 95% CI: 1.064-4.20), MELD scores exceeding 30 (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.21-4.80), severe hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.12-5.37), and increased serum creatinine (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.03). Among the prognostic scores, MELD 3.0 score exhibited superior efficacy for short-term (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI 0.656-0.811) and long-term mortality (AUC = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.724-0.830) compared to alternative scoring systems. Conclusions: Low eligibility rate and poor prognosis underscore the need for effective therapies. Our findings contribute to refining risk stratification and early prediction of non-response, aiding clinicians in identifying more beneficial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Singeap
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.-M.S.); (C.S.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Horia Minea
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.-M.S.); (C.S.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Oana Petrea
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.-M.S.); (C.S.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Madalina-Andreea Robea
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 700057 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana-Miruna Balmuș
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 700057 Iasi, Romania
| | - Raluca Duta
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 700057 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Mother and Child, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street, No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carmen Diana Cimpoesu
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iasi, Blvd. Independentei 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carol Stanciu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.-M.S.); (C.S.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Carol I Avenue, No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anca Trifan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.-M.S.); (C.S.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (I.-M.B.); (R.D.); (O.-D.I.); (C.D.C.)
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Carol I Avenue, No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
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Jophlin LL, Singal AK, Bataller R, Wong RJ, Sauer BG, Terrault NA, Shah VH. ACG Clinical Guideline: Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:30-54. [PMID: 38174913 PMCID: PMC11040545 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of advanced hepatic disease and frequent indication for liver transplantation worldwide. With harmful alcohol use as the primary risk factor, increasing alcohol use over the past decade has resulted in rapid growth of the ALD-related healthcare burden. The spectrum of ALD ranges from early asymptomatic liver injury to advanced disease with decompensation and portal hypertension. Compared with those with other etiologies of liver disease, patients with ALD progress faster and more often present at an advanced stage. A unique phenotype of advanced disease is alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) presenting with rapid onset or worsening of jaundice, and acute on chronic liver failure in severe forms conveying a 1-month mortality risk of 20%-50%. The model for end stage disease score is the most accurate score to stratify AH severity (>20 defined as severe disease). Corticosteroids are currently the only available therapeutic with proven efficacy for patients with severe AH, providing survival benefit at 1 month in 50%-60% of patients. Abstinence of alcohol use, a crucial determinant of long-term outcomes, is challenging to achieve in ALD patients with concurrent alcohol use disorder (AUD). As patients with ALD are rarely treated for AUD, strategies are needed to overcome barriers to AUD treatment in patients with ALD and to promote a multidisciplinary integrated care model with hepatology, addiction medicine providers, and social workers to comprehensively manage the dual pathologies of liver disease and of AUD. Liver transplantation, a definitive treatment option in patients with advanced cirrhosis, should be considered in selected patients with AH, who are unresponsive to medical therapy and have a low risk of relapse to posttransplant alcohol use. Level of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations system. This guideline was developed under the American College of Gastroenterology Practice Parameters Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta L. Jophlin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ashwani K. Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Liver Unit, Department of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert J. Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Bryan G. Sauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Norah A. Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Diaz LA, Winder GS, Leggio L, Bajaj JS, Bataller R, Arab JP. New insights into the molecular basis of alcohol abstinence and relapse in alcohol-associated liver disease. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00605. [PMID: 37862466 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder remains a significant public health concern, affecting around 5% of adults worldwide. Novel pathways of damage have been described during the last years, providing insight into the mechanism of injury due to alcohol misuse beyond the direct effect of ethanol byproducts on the liver parenchyma and neurobehavioral mechanisms. Thus, the gut-liver-brain axis and immune system involvement could be therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder. In particular, changes in gut microbiota composition and function, and bile acid homeostasis, have been shown with alcohol consumption and cessation. Alcohol can also directly disrupt intestinal and blood-brain barriers. Activation of the immune system can be triggered by intestinal barrier dysfunction and translocation of bacteria, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (such as lipopolysaccharide), cytokines, and damage-associated molecular patterns. These factors, in turn, promote liver and brain inflammation and the progression of liver fibrosis. Other involved mechanisms include oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and the release of extracellular vesicles and miRNA from hepatocytes. Potential therapeutic targets include gut microbiota (probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation), neuroinflammatory pathways, as well as neuroendocrine pathways, for example, the ghrelin system (ghrelin receptor blockade), incretin mimetics (glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs), and the mineralocorticoid receptor system (spironolactone). In addition, support with psychological and behavioral treatments is essential to address the multiple dimensions of alcohol use disorder. In the future, a personalized approach considering these novel targets can contribute to significantly decreasing the alcohol-associated burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Antonio Diaz
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institutes of Health, NIDA and NIAAA, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Health Care System, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Arab
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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