Despair of Treatment: A Qualitative Study of Cirrhotic Patientsʼ Perception of Treatment

NAC1 transcriptional activation of LDHA induces hepatitis B virus immune evasion leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development

Our study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NAC1 (nucleus accumbens associated 1) transcriptional regulation of LDHA and its role in HBV immune evasion, thus contributing to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Utilizing public datasets, we performed differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on HBV-induced cirrhosis/HCC data. We identified candidate genes by intersecting differentially expressed genes with co-expression modules. We validated these genes using the TCGA database, conducting survival analysis to pinpoint key genes affecting HBV-HCC prognosis. We also employed the TIMER database for immune cell infiltration data and analyzed correlations with identified key genes to uncover potential immune escape pathways. In vitro, we investigated the impact of NAC1 and LDHA on immune cell apoptosis and HBV immune evasion. In vivo, we confirmed these findings using an HBV-induced cirrhosis model. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 676 genes influenced by HBV infection, with 475 genes showing differential expression in HBV-HCC. NAC1 emerged as a key gene, potentially mediating HBV immune escape through LDHA transcriptional regulation. Experimental data demonstrated that NAC1 transcriptionally activates LDHA, promoting immune cell apoptosis and HBV immune evasion. Animal studies confirmed these findings, linking NAC1-mediated LDHA activation to cirrhosis and HCC development. NAC1, highly expressed in HBV-infected liver cells, likely drives HBV immune escape by activating LDHA expression, inhibiting CD8 + T cells, and promoting cirrhosis and HCC development.

Quality of life and unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease: A mixed-method systematic review

Background & Aims

In an attempt to uncover unmet patient needs, this review aims to synthesise quantitative and qualitative studies on patients’ quality of life and their experience of having liver disease.

Methods

Three databases (CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed) were searched from January 2000 to October 2020. The methodological quality and data extraction of both quantitative and qualitative studies were screened and appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute instruments for mixed-method systematic reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A convergent, integrated approach to synthesis and integration was used. Studies including patients with autoimmune and cholestatic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma were considered.

Results

The searches produced 5,601 articles, of which 95 (79 quantitative and 16 qualitative) were included in the review. These represented studies from 26 countries and a sample of 37,283 patients. The studies showed that patients´ quality of life was reduced. Unmet needs for information and support and perceived stigmatisation severely affected patients’ quality of life.

Conclusions

Our study suggests changes to improve quality of life. According to patients, this could be achieved by providing better education and information, being aware of patients’ need for support, and raising awareness of liver disease among the general population to reduce misconceptions and stigmatisation.

Registration number

PROSPERO CRD42020173501.

Lay summary

Regardless of aetiology, patients with liver diseases have impaired quality of life. This is associated with disease progression, the presence of symptoms, treatment response, and mental, physical, and social factors such as anxiety, confusion, comorbidities, and fatigue, as well as limitations in daily living, including loneliness, low income, stigmatisation, and treatment costs. Patients highlighted the need for information to understand and manage liver disease, and awareness and support from healthcare professionals to better cope with the disease. In addition, there is a need to raise awareness of liver diseases in the general population to reduce negative preconceptions and stigmatisation.

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Patients with liver disease regardless of aetiology and severity have impaired quality of life.

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Patients call for better education and information to understand and manage their liver disease, and for increased awareness and support from healthcare professionals.

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Owing to the limited knowledge of liver diseases among the general population, patients experience stigmatisation, resulting in loneliness and social isolation.

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Addressing unmet needs of patients with liver disease could improve their quality of life.

Medicine use and medicine-related problems in patients with liver cirrhosis: a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

PURPOSE

This review aimed to determine the prevalence, causes and risk factors of medicine-related problems (MRPs) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

Eight online databases were searched up to 30 September 2018 with no start date. Appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools were used to assess the quality of included studies.

RESULTS

An overall 16 quantitative and 11 qualitative studies were included in the review. Methodological quality of the included studies was variable. Mean frequency of MRPs reported in the quantitative studies ranged from 14 to 23.4%. The most frequent causes of MRPs included drug interactions, inappropriate dosing and use of contraindicated drugs. The qualitative analysis identified three themes: patient-related factors, healthcare professionals' related factors and stigma associated with liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

MRPs were found to be prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis. Factors contributing to MRPs in liver cirrhosis were not limited to medicines' effects and interactions but included healthcare systems and patients. Therefore, management of liver cirrhosis should not be limited to providing an effective medicine therapy and should take into account the patients' behaviour towards the condition.

The Effect of Psychosocial Factors on Success Rates of Hepatitis C Treatment

OBJECTIVE

Our study was to determine which psychosocial factors interfere with patients reaching sustained virologic response (SVR), a marker for hepatitis C virus eradication.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed between January 6, 2015 and February 24, 2016. The primary outcome was to assess which social and psychological factors may interfere with patients reaching SVR. SVR was defined as having an undetectable viral load 12 weeks after the completion of the treatment regimen. Bivariate analysis was followed by a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine significant factors for SVR. Depression and generalized anxiety disorder were included.

RESULTS

A total of 204 patients completed treatment within the designated time frame and were included in the final analysis. Social or home support was associated with SVR (odds ratio = 7.0, p = 0.02). Cocaine use was also a significant factor predicting SVR. Historical cocaine use compared with active cocaine use during treatment was associated with an odds ratio of SVR of 39.3 (p = 0.04). Interestingly, historical cocaine use vs no history of cocaine use did not influence SVR. No history of depression or generalized anxiety disorder was associated with a higher rate of SVR (odds ratio = 10.4, p = 0.05). No depression/generalized anxiety disorder compared with untreated depression/generalized anxiety disorder was associated with a 13.1 times greater rate of SVR (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

It is important to recognize and address psychosocial factors related to mental illness and active cocaine addictions before hepatitis C virus treatment. Furthermore, patients without home or social support are at greater risk for failing treatment, thus strategies to provide support during treatment are necessary.