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Maiwall R, Singh SP, Angeli P, Moreau R, Krag A, Singh V, Singal AK, Tan SS, Puri P, Mahtab M, Lau G, Ning Q, Sharma MK, Rao PN, Kapoor D, Gupta S, Duseja A, Wadhawan M, Jothimani D, Saigal S, Taneja S, Shukla A, Puri P, Govil D, Pandey G, Madan K, Eapen CE, Benjamin J, Chowdhury A, Singh S, Salao V, Yang JM, Hamid S, Shalimar, Jasuja S, Kulkarni AV, Niriella MA, Tevethia HV, Arora V, Mathur RP, Roy A, Jindal A, Saraf N, Verma N, De A, Choudhary NS, Mehtani R, Chand P, Rudra O, Sarin SK. APASL clinical practice guidelines on the management of acute kidney injury in acute-on-chronic liver failure. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:833-869. [PMID: 38578541 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10650-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome that is characterized by the rapid development of organ failures predisposing these patients to a high risk of short-term early death. The main causes of organ failure in these patients are bacterial infections and systemic inflammation, both of which can be severe. For the majority of these patients, a prompt liver transplant is still the only effective course of treatment. Kidneys are one of the most frequent extrahepatic organs that are affected in patients with ACLF, since acute kidney injury (AKI) is reported in 22.8-34% of patients with ACLF. Approach and management of kidney injury could improve overall outcomes in these patients. Importantly, patients with ACLF more frequently have stage 3 AKI with a low rate of response to the current treatment modalities. The objective of the present position paper is to critically review and analyze the published data on AKI in ACLF, evolve a consensus, and provide recommendations for early diagnosis, pathophysiology, prevention, and management of AKI in patients with ACLF. In the absence of direct evidence, we propose expert opinions for guidance in managing AKI in this very challenging group of patients and focus on areas of future research. This consensus will be of major importance to all hepatologists, liver transplant surgeons, and intensivists across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhi Maiwall
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Satender Pal Singh
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Paolo Angeli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Richard Moreau
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF CLIF), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)-CLIF Consortium, and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- Service d'Hépatologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Virender Singh
- Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Trager Transplant Center and Jewish Hospital, Louisville, USA
| | - S S Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Selayang, Bata Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Puneet Puri
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mamun Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - George Lau
- Humanity and Health Medical Group, Humanity and Health Clinical Trial Center, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Qin Ning
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Manoj Kumar Sharma
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - P N Rao
- Department of Hepatology and Nutrition, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Dharmesh Kapoor
- Department of Hepatology, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Subhash Gupta
- Department of Surgery, Center for Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Healthcare, Saket, New Delhi, India
| | - Ajay Duseja
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Manav Wadhawan
- Institute of Digestive & Liver Diseases, BLK Superspeciality Hospital Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh Jothimani
- Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Bharat Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Sanjiv Saigal
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre for Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunil Taneja
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Akash Shukla
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Pankaj Puri
- Fortis Escorts Liver & Digestive Diseases Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Govil
- Department of Critical Care and Anaesthesia, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Gaurav Pandey
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Kaushal Madan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre for Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
| | - C E Eapen
- Department of Hepatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jaya Benjamin
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashok Chowdhury
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Shweta Singh
- Centre for Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
| | - Vaishali Salao
- Department of Critical Care, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India
| | - Jin Mo Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Saeed Hamid
- Department of Hepatology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shalimar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjiv Jasuja
- Department of Nephrology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Madund A Niriella
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Harsh Vardhan Tevethia
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Vinod Arora
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - R P Mathur
- Department of Nephrology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Akash Roy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver Transplantation, Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata, India
| | - Ankur Jindal
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Neeraj Saraf
- Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon, Delhi (NCR), India
| | - Nipun Verma
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Arka De
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Narendra S Choudhary
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Medanta-The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Rohit Mehtani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Phool Chand
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Omkar Rudra
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Shiv Kumar Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India.
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Singal AK, Reddy KR, Nguyen MH, Younossi Z, Kwo P, Kuo YF. Use and Outcomes of Hepatitis B Virus-positive Grafts for Kidney or Heart Transplantation in the United States From 1999 to 2021. Transplantation 2024; 108:693-702. [PMID: 37953470 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gap between demand and supply for solid organ transplants requires strategies to expand the donor pool. Successful use of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive grafts has been reported in liver transplantation. METHODS In this United Network for Organ Sharing database (January 1999 to June 2021) retrospective cohort study, outcomes of kidney transplant (KT) or heart transplant (HT) recipients with HBV donor grafts (hepatitis B surface antigen and/or for HBV nucleic acid test-positive) were examined. Propensity score matching was performed for HBV-positive to negative graft recipients (1:5 for renal transplantation and 1:10 for HT). RESULTS Of 448 HBV-positive donors with 896 kidneys, 352 kidneys (39.3%) and 56 hearts (12.5%) were transplanted. Of these, 312 kidneys (88.6%) and 45 hearts (80.3%) were transplanted in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative recipients. Ten-year graft survival was 47.1% and 49% (log-rank P = 0.353), and patient survival was 58% and 59% ( P = 0.999) for KT recipients. Similar figures among HT recipients were 41.9% and 38.9% for graft survival ( P = 0.471), and 54.3% and 61.2% for patient survival ( P = 0.277). Subgroup analyses in recipients with HBV nucleic acid test-positive grafts irrespective of antibodies to HBV core antigen-positive status, and recipients negative for anti-HBs (548 renal transplantation and 209 HT) were similar. CONCLUSIONS Although we are limited by lack of available data on posttransplant anti-HBV treatment, the study observations suggest that using HBV-positive grafts is a reasonable strategy to expand the donor pool among candidates waiting for KT or HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Department of Medicine, University of SD Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - K Rajender Reddy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Paolo Alto, CA
| | - Zobair Younossi
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Innova Fairfax Campus, Falls Church, VA
| | - Paul Kwo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Paolo Alto, CA
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX
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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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Sidhu SS, Dusseja A, Shalimar, Nijhawan S, Kapoor D, Goyal O, Kishore H. A multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bovine colostrum in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH). Trials 2023; 24:515. [PMID: 37568158 PMCID: PMC10416362 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07505-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is associated with high mortality. Numerous studies and meta-analysis have reported that corticosteroids reduce the 28-day mortality in SAH, but not the 6-month mortality. Therefore, newer treatments for SAH need to be studied. A pilot study from our group had recently treated ten patients with SAH with bovine colostrum (BC) [20 g thrice in a day for 8 weeks] and prednisolone. This therapy improved the biological functions and 3-month mortality. However, as more and more data showed the failure of corticosteroids to improve the 3- and 6-month mortality, especially in patients with high mDF and MELD scores, we planned this trial to study the safety and efficacy of BC (without corticosteroids) in the treatment of SAH. METHOD This is a multicenter, parallel, double-blind, randomized (1:1) placebo-controlled trial, which will enroll 174 patients with SAH from 5 academic centers in the India. Patients will receive freeze-dried BC or placebo by random 1:1 allocation for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure is survival at 3 months. The secondary outcome measures are survival at 1 month, change in mDF and MELD scores, change in endotoxin and cytokines (alpha TNF, IL6, and IL8) levels, number of episodes of sepsis [pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), cellulitis, urinary tract infection (UTI)] from baseline to 4 weeks. DISCUSSION This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of bovine colostrum in improving the survival of patients with SAH. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02473341. Prospectively registered on June 16, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Sidhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
| | - A Dusseja
- Department of Hepatology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shalimar
- Department of Gastroenterology & Human Nutrition Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - S Nijhawan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - D Kapoor
- Department of Hepatology, Global Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - O Goyal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - H Kishore
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
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McLean Diaz P, Vannier A, Joshi AD, Mahle RE, Przybyszewski EM, Corey K, Chung RT, Luther J, Goodman RP, Schaefer EA. Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Discriminates Between Decompensated Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis and Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2023; 14:e00585. [PMID: 36972232 PMCID: PMC10299775 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000585] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We hypothesized that fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) would be highly expressed in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and could be a novel and biologically relevant predictive biomarker to reliably distinguish severe AH and decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC). METHODS We identified a discovery cohort of 88 subjects with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) of varying disease severity from our ALD repository. Our validation cohort consisted of 37 patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of AH, AC, or absence of ALD with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores ≥10. Serum from both groups during index hospitalization was assayed for FGF-21 by ELISA. We performed receiver operating characteristic analysis and prediction modeling in both cohorts to discriminate between AH and AC in high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (≥20) patients. RESULTS In both cohorts, FGF-21 concentrations were highest in subjects with moderate to severe AH compared with those having alcohol use disorder or AC (mean: 2,609 pg/mL, P < 0.0001). The discovery cohort area under the curve of FGF-21 between AH and AC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.65-0.98, P < 0.01). In the validation cohort, FGF-21 levels were higher in severe AH compared with AC (3,052 vs 1,235 pg/mL, P = 0.03), and the area under the curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.96, P < 0.03). A survival analysis showed that patients with FGF-21 serum levels in the second interquartile had the highest survival compared with all other quartiles. DISCUSSION FGF-21 performs well as a predictive biomarker to distinguish severe AH from AC and may be helpful in the management and clinical investigation of patients with severe alcohol-associated liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige McLean Diaz
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Augustin Vannier
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amit D. Joshi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachael E. Mahle
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric M. Przybyszewski
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen Corey
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jay Luther
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Russell P. Goodman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Esperance A.K. Schaefer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alcohol Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Mehta H, Dunn W. Determining Prognosis of ALD and Alcohol-associated Hepatitis. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:479-488. [PMID: 37250869 PMCID: PMC10213842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated hepatitis has a poor prognosis in terms of short-term mortality and often presents with symptoms, such as jaundice, acute renal failure, and ascites. There are many prognostic models that have been developed to predict short-term and long-term mortality in these patients. Current prognostic models can be divided into static scores, which are measured at admission, and dynamic models, which measure baseline and after a certain amount of time. The efficacy of these models in predicting short-term mortality is disputed. Numerous studies across the world have compared prognostic models, such as the Maddrey's discriminant function, the model for end-stage liver disease score, model for end-stage liver disease score-Na, Glasgow alcohol-associated hepatitis score, and the age-bilirubin-international normalized ratio-creatinine (ABIC) score, to each other to determine which score is more useful for a particular context. There are also prognostic markers such as liver biopsy, breath biomarkers, and acute kidney injury that are able to predict mortality. The accuracy of these scores is a key to determining when treatment with corticosteroids is futile since there is an increased risk of infection in those treated with it. Furthermore, although these scores are helpful in predicting short-term mortality, the only factor that is able to predict long-term mortality in patients with alcohol-related liver disease is abstinence. Numerous studies have proven that even though corticosteroids provide a treatment for alcohol-associated hepatitis, it is a temporary one, at best. The purpose of this paper is to compare the historical models to current ones in their ability to predict mortality in patients with alcohol-related liver disease by analyzing multiple studies that have examined these prognostic markers. This paper also isolates the knowledge gaps in the ability to delineate which patients would benefit from corticosteroids and patients who would not and provides potential models for the future that could narrow this gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heer Mehta
- University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, USA
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Philips CA, Ahamed R, Rajesh S, Singh S, Tharakan A, Abduljaleel JK, Augustine P. Clinical outcomes and gut microbiota analysis of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis patients undergoing healthy donor fecal transplant or pentoxifylline therapy: single-center experience from Kerala. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2022; 10:goac074. [PMID: 36479155 PMCID: PMC9722224 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH) patients with infections have a high short-term mortality rate. Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SAH. Preliminary studies have demonstrated long-term benefits with healthy donor fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Data on FMT compared with pentoxifylline for SAH and relevant gut microbial changes are lacking in literature. METHODS From January 2019 to February 2021, retrospective analysis of a single hospital's records revealed 47 SAH patients undergoing FMT (100 mL/day via nasoduodenal tube for 7 days) and 25 matched patients receiving pentoxifylline (400 mg/8 h for 28 days). The primary end point was a 6-month survival rate. Secondary end points included incidence of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, acute kidney injury, and gut microbiota changes between post-therapy groups. Biomarker discovery and network analysis were also performed to identify significant taxa of gut microbiota in post-treatment groups in retrospectively stored stool samples. RESULTS All were males. The 6-month survival rate was higher in the patients undergoing FMT than in patients receiving pentoxifylline (83.0% vs 56.0%, P = 0.012). At the end of 6-month follow-up, the incidences of clinically significant ascites (56.0% vs 25.5%, P = 0.011), hepatic encephalopathy (40.0% vs 10.6%, P = 0.003), and critical infections (52.0% vs 14.9%, P < 0.001) in patients administered pentoxifylline were significantly higher than those in patients treated with FMT. At 3 months, biomarker analysis revealed a significant abundance of Bifidobacterium and Eggerthella in the FMT group and the pentoxifylline group, respectively. At 6 months, Bifidobacterium in the FMT group and pathogenic Aerococcaceae in the pentoxifylline group were notable. Network analysis showed beneficial taxa (Bifidobacterium) as a central influencer in those undergoing FMT at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Healthy donor FMT improved survival rate and reduced liver-related complications compared with pentoxifylline. These clinical benefits were associated with favorable modulation of intestinal bacterial communities. Difficult-to-treat SAH patients may be safely bridged to transplantation using FMT. Controlled trials evaluating long-term outcomes are an unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyriac Abby Philips
- Corresponding author. The Liver Institute, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Ground Floor, Phase II, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva 683 112, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Tel: +91-484-2905000; Fax: +91-484-7184000;
| | - Rizwan Ahamed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Sasidharan Rajesh
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Shobhit Singh
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Ajit Tharakan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Jinsha K Abduljaleel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Philip Augustine
- Monarch Liver Laboratory, The Liver Institute, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India,Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced GI Endoscopy, Center of Excellence in GI Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Chunangamvely, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
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8
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Ayares G, Idalsoaga F, Díaz LA, Arnold J, Arab JP. Current Medical Treatment for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:1333-1348. [PMID: 36157148 PMCID: PMC9499849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease. It comprises a clinical-histologic spectrum of presentations, from steatosis, steatohepatitis, to different degrees of fibrosis, including cirrhosis and severe necroinflammatory disease, called alcohol-associated hepatitis. In this focused update, we aim to present specific therapeutic interventions and strategies for the management of alcohol-associated liver disease. Current evidence for management in all spectra of manifestations is derived from general chronic liver disease recommendations, but with a higher emphasis on abstinence and nutritional support. Abstinence should comprise the treatment of alcohol use disorder as well as withdrawal syndrome. Nutritional assessment should also consider the presence of sarcopenia and its clinical manifestation, frailty. The degree of compensation of the disease should be evaluated, and complications, actively sought. The most severe acute form of this disease is alcohol-associated hepatitis, which has high mortality and morbidity. Current treatment is based on corticosteroids that act by reducing immune activation and blocking cytotoxicity and inflammation pathways. Other aspects of treatment include preventing and treating hepatorenal syndrome as well as preventing infections although there is no clear evidence as to the benefit of probiotics and antibiotics in prophylaxis. Novel therapies for alcohol-associated hepatitis include metadoxine, interleukin-22 analogs, and interleukin-1-beta antagonists. Finally, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, microbiota transplantation, and gut-liver axis modulation have shown promising results. We also discuss palliative care in advanced alcohol-associated liver disease.
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Key Words
- AC, Amoxicillin/clavulanate
- ACLF, Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
- ADLs, Activities of Daily Living
- AH, Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
- AKI-HRS, Acute Kidney Injury - Hepatorenal Syndrome
- ALD
- ALD, Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
- ASH, Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
- AUD, Alcohol Use Disorder
- AWS, Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
- BCAAs, Branched-Chain Amino Acids
- CDC, Center for Disease Control
- CI, Confidence Interval
- COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019
- CT, Computerized Tomography
- GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist
- HBV, Hepatitis B Virus
- HCC, Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- HCV, Hepatitis C Virus
- HE, Hepatic Encephalopathy
- HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HR, Hazard Ratio
- IBW, Ideal Body Weight
- ICA, International Club of Ascites
- IL-1β, Interleukin-1β
- IL-22, Interleukin-22
- KPS, Karnofsky Performance Status
- LB, Liver Biopsy
- LPS, Lipopolysaccharide
- LSM, Liver Stiffness Measurement
- LT, Liver Transplantation
- MDF, Maddrey’s Discriminant Function
- MELD, Model of End-Stage Liver Disease
- MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- MUST, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool
- NIAAA, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- NRS-2002, Nutritional Risk Screening-2002
- OR, Odds Ratio
- PAMPs, Pathogen-Activated Molecular Patterns
- PMI, Psoas Muscle Index
- PTX, Pentoxifylline
- RAI, Relative Adrenal Insufficiency
- RCT, Randomized Clinical Trials
- RFH-NPT, Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool
- ROS, Reactive Oxygen Species
- RR, Relative Risk
- SIRS, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
- TNF, Tumor Necrosis Factor
- WKS, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
- alcohol
- alcohol use disorders
- alcohol-associated hepatitis
- cirrhosis
- fatty liver disease
- steatosis
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Ayares
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Idalsoaga
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis A. Díaz
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Arnold
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan P. Arab
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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9
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Atkinson SR, Aly M, Remih K, Tyson LD, Guldiken N, Goldin R, Quaglia A, Thursz M, Strnad P. Serum keratin 19 (CYFRA21-1) is a prognostic biomarker in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Liver Int 2022; 42:1049-1057. [PMID: 35220651 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Up to 30% of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH) die within 3 months of presentation. The degree of ductular reaction, characterized by accumulation of biliary and liver progenitor cells, confers a poor prognosis. Keratin fragments are established serological surrogates of liver injury and keratin 19 (K19) is a histological marker of the ductular reaction. We assessed the relationship between serum K19 levels (viz. CYFRA21-1), histology and outcome in patients with sAH. METHODS Serum CYFRA21-1 was quantified in pre-treatment serum samples from 824 patients enrolled in the STOPAH trial. The cohort was randomly divided into two groups to test mortality associations; histological analyses were performed using the 87 cases with suitable samples. RESULTS CYFRA21-1 levels were elevated in sAH and strongly predicted alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) on biopsy (area under the receiver operated characteristic [AUROC] 0.785 [95% Confidence Interval 0.602-0.967]) and 90-day survival (AUROC 0.684/0.693). The predictive ability of CYFRA21-1 was comparable with the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and was independently associated with survival in multivariable analysis. CYFRA21-1 moderately correlated with hepatocellular injury markers M30/M65 but displayed a more robust predictive ability. A combination of MELD and CYFRA21-1 conferred a modest improvement in the AUROC value (0.731/0.743). CONCLUSIONS In sAH serum, CYFRA21-1 levels associate with the presence of ASH on biopsy and independently predict 90-day survival. As a single marker performance is comparable to established scoring systems. Therefore, CYFRA21-1, which is available in many clinical laboratories, may become a useful component of prognostic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Rahul Atkinson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mahmoud Aly
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Katharina Remih
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Luke David Tyson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nurdan Guldiken
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Goldin
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alberto Quaglia
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mark Thursz
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen, Germany
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10
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Forrest E, Goldin R. Letter: the value of quality liver biopsy before initiation of corticosteroids for severe alcoholic hepatitis-authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:1072. [PMID: 35362124 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewan Forrest
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary and University of Glasgow, UK
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11
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Ali AL, Nailwal NP, Doshi GM. Emerging Role of Interleukins for the Assessment and Treatment of Liver Diseases. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2021; 22:371-382. [PMID: 34819013 DOI: 10.2174/1871530321666211124102837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common liver diseases are fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty disease, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. These liver diseases account for approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide, with cirrhosis accounting for 2.1% of the worldwide burden. The most widely used liver function tests for diagnosis are alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, serum proteins, serum albumin, and serum globulins, whereas antivirals and corticosteroids have been proven to be useful for the treatment of liver diseases. A major disadvantage of these diagnostic measures is the lack of specificity to a particular tissue or cell type, as these enzymes are common to one or more tissues. The major adverse effect of current treatment methods is drug resistance. To overcome these issues, interleukins have been investigated. The balance of these interleukins determines the outcome of an immune response. Interleukins are considered interesting therapeutic targets for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding interleukins in the diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of different acute and chronic liver diseases. OBJECTIVE To understand the role of interleukins in the assessment and treatment of different types of liver diseases. METHODS A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, and NCBI with the following keywords: Interleukins, Acute Liver Failure, Alcoholic Liver Disease, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Liver Fibrosis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Inflammation, Liver injury, Hepatoprotective effect. Clinical trial data on these interleukins have been searched on Clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTS Existing literature and preclinical and clinical trial data demonstrate that interleukins play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22, IL-35, and IL-37 are involved in the progression and control of various liver conditions via the regulation of cell signaling pathways. However, further investigation on the involvement of these interleukins is necessary for their use as a targeted therapy in liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaliya L Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mithibai Campus, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai-400056. India
| | - Namrata P Nailwal
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mithibai Campus, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai-400056. India
| | - Gaurav M Doshi
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mithibai Campus, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai-400056. India
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12
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Petagine L, Zariwala MG, Patel VB. Alcoholic liver disease: Current insights into cellular mechanisms. World J Biol Chem 2021; 12:87-103. [PMID: 34630912 PMCID: PMC8473419 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v12.i5.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) due to chronic alcohol consumption is a significant global disease burden and a leading cause of mortality. Alcohol abuse induces a myriad of aberrant changes in hepatocytes at both the cellular and molecular level. Although the disease spectrum of ALD is widely recognized, the precise triggers for disease progression are still to be fully elucidated. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis and altered immune system response plays an important role in disease pathogenesis, triggering the activation of inflammatory pathways and apoptosis. Despite many recent clinical studies treatment options for ALD are limited, especially at the alcoholic hepatitis stage. We have therefore reviewed some of the key pathways involved in the pathogenesis of ALD and highlighted current trials for treating patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Petagine
- Center for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Gulrez Zariwala
- Center for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, United Kingdom
| | - Vinood B Patel
- Center for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, United Kingdom
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13
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Gadour E, Mohamed T, Hassan Z, Hassan A. Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Primary Renal Tubular Acidosis in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis and Alcoholic Hepatitis. Cureus 2021; 13:e15287. [PMID: 34079685 PMCID: PMC8161551 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.15287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal and hepatic functions are often mingled through both the existence of associated primary organ diseases and hemodynamic co-relationship. The primary objective of this study was to sum up the relationship between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) on renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and the stages of the disease. A systematic review was performed for 24 trials. A total of 3687 patients were included. The incidence of RTA occurring and short-term mortality reduction was seen in two groups; for an overall effect: Z = 2.85 (P = 0.004) a total 95% CI of 0.53 [0.34, 0.82]. Only one patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis was found to have an incomplete type of RTA. Test for overall effect: Z = 2.28 (P = 0.02) 95% CI of 2.83 [1.16, 6.95]. A reduction in fatal infections with dual therapy of corticosteroid plus N-acetylcysteine (NAC) test for overall effect: Z = 3.07 (P = 0.002) with 95% CI of 0.45 [0.27, 0.75]. Autoimmune diseases are the most frequent underlying cause of secondary RTA in adults. The primary renal disease must be actively excluded in all patients with hepatic failure by aggressive clinical and laboratory evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyad Gadour
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, GBR
| | - Tamer Mohamed
- Acute Internal Medicine, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool, GBR
| | - Zeinab Hassan
- Faculty of Medicine, The National Ribat University, Khartoum, SDN.,Medicine, Stockport Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, GBR
| | - Abdalla Hassan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, GBR
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14
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Atkinson SR, Grove JI, Liebig S, Astbury S, Vergis N, Goldin R, Quaglia A, Bantel H, Guha IN, Thursz MR, Newcombe P, Strnad P, Aithal GP. In Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis, Serum Keratin-18 Fragments Are Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Theragnostic Biomarkers. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:1857-1868. [PMID: 33156105 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Up to 40% of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) die within 6 months of presentation, making prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment essential. We determined the associations between serum keratin-18 (K18) and histological features, prognosis, and differential response to prednisolone in patients with severe AH. METHODS Total (K18-M65) and caspase-cleaved K18 (K18-M30) were quantified in pretreatment sera from 824 patients enrolled in the Steroids or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis trial (87 with suitable histological samples) and disease controls. RESULTS K18 fragments were markedly elevated in severe AH and strongly predicted steatohepatitis (alcoholic steatohepatitis) on biopsy (area under receiver operating characteristics: 0.787 and 0.807). Application of published thresholds to predict alcoholic steatohepatitis would have rendered biopsy unnecessary in 84% of all AH cases. K18-M30 and M65 were associated with 90-day mortality, independent of age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score in untreated patients. The association for K18-M65 was independent of both age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease in prednisolone-treated patients. Modelling of the effect of prednisolone on 90-day mortality as a function of pretreatment serum K18 levels indicated benefit in those with high serum levels of K18-M30. At low pretreatment serum K18 levels, prednisolone was potentially harmful. A threshold of K18-M30 5 kIU/L predicted therapeutic benefit from prednisolone above this level (odds ratio: 0.433, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.95, P = 0.0398), but not below (odds ratio: 1.271, 95% confidence interval: 0.88-1.84, P = 0.199). Restricting prednisolone usage to the former group would have reduced exposure by 87%. DISCUSSION In a large cohort of patients with severe AH, serum K18 strongly correlated with histological severity, independently associated with 90-day mortality, and predicted response to prednisolone therapy. Quantification of serum K18 levels could assist in clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane I Grove
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephanie Liebig
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stuart Astbury
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nikhil Vergis
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Goldin
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alberto Quaglia
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London and UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Heike Bantel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Indra Neil Guha
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Newcombe
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, German
| | - Guruprasad P Aithal
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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16
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH) confers substantial mortality, but the disease course is difficult to predict. As iron parameters are attractive outcome predictors in other liver diseases, we tested their prognostic ability in sAH. METHODS Serum ferritin, transferrin, iron, transferrin saturation, nontransferrin-bound iron, soluble transferrin receptor, and hepcidin were measured in 828 patients with sAH recruited prospectively through the STOPAH trial. The cohort was randomly divided into exploratory (n = 200) and validation sets (n = 628). RESULTS Patients with sAH had diminished serum transferrin but increased transferrin saturation. Among iron parameters, baseline transferrin was the best predictor of 28-day (area under the receiver operated characteristic 0.72 [95% confidence interval 0.67-0.78]) and 90-day survival (area under the receiver operated characteristic 0.65 [0.61-0.70]). Transferrin's predictive ability was comparable with the composite scores, namely model of end-stage liver disease, Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score, and discriminant function, and was independently associated with survival in multivariable analysis. These results were confirmed in a validation cohort. Transferrin did not correlate with markers of liver synthesis nor with non-transferrin-bound iron or soluble transferrin receptor (as markers of excess unbound iron and functional iron deficiency, respectively). DISCUSSION In patients with sAH, serum transferrin predicts mortality with a performance comparable with commonly used composite scoring systems. Hence, this routinely available parameter might be a useful marker alone or as a component of prognostic models.
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Ayyala-Somayajula D, Han H, Terrault NA. Selective use of liver transplantation for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:175-184. [PMID: 32077333 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1733414] [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] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH) portends high morbidity and mortality and there are no effective therapies for those ineligible or unresponsive to corticosteroids. Early liver transplantation (LT) defined as transplantation without a mandated period of sobriety, for sAH, is being increasingly considered as a rescue therapy.Areas covered: PubMed and manual searches were combined and last performed on 28 October 2019. Key search terms were 'alcoholic hepatitis', 'abstinence', 'alcohol relapse', and 'liver transplantation'. Terms were combined within each database. General reviews and references from published trials were also used.Expert opinion: Early LT is indicated in highly selected patients with sAH. While long-term data are sparse, 1 and 3-year survival post-transplantation are excellent and comparable to other liver diseases. Alcohol relapse is uncommon but approaches 10-25% at 3 years and if use is heavy and/or sustained leads to reduced survival. Thus, for continued application of transplantation for this indication, there is a need to further refine selection criteria and to optimize management of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the transplant setting. Integral to advancing these objectives is the elimination of societal stigmatization and an acknowledgment that AUD is a medical condition that requires long-term management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyosun Han
- Department of Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norah A Terrault
- Department of Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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18
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Gala KS, Vatsalya V. Emerging Noninvasive Biomarkers, and Medical Management Strategies for Alcoholic Hepatitis: Present Understanding and Scope. Cells 2020; 9:E524. [PMID: 32106390 PMCID: PMC7140524 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is associated with a wide array of hepatic pathologies ranging from steatosis to alcoholic-related cirrhosis (AC), alcoholic hepatitis (AH), or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Biomarkers are categorized into two main categories: biomarkers associated with alcohol consumption and biomarkers of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). No ideal biomarker has been identified to quantify the degree of hepatocyte death or severity of AH, even though numerous biomarkers have been associated with AH. This review provides information of some of the novel and latest biomarkers that are being investigated and have shown a substantial association with the degree and severity of liver injury and inflammation. Importantly, they can be measured noninvasively. In this manuscript, we consolidate the present understanding and prospects of these biomarkers; and their application in assessing the severity and progression of the alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We also review current and upcoming management options for AH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo S. Gala
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202; USA
| | - Vatsalya Vatsalya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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Maras JS, Das S, Bhat A, Kumar Vyas A, Yadav G, Chaudhary S, Sukriti S, Gupta AC, Bihari C, Mahiwall R, Sarin SK. Dysregulated Lipid Transport Proteins Correlate With Pathogenesis and Outcome in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis. Hepatol Commun 2019; 3:1598-1625. [PMID: 31832570 PMCID: PMC6887666 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) has high mortality. Dysregulated lipid transport and metabolism in liver/macrophages contributes to disease pathophysiology. Paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 (PON1), a liver‐specific enzyme, inhibits oxidation of phospholipids and prevents lipid‐mediated oxidative damage. However, its functional contribution in macrophage‐mediated hepatic injury warrants elucidation. Plasma proteome of patients with SAH (n = 20), alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 20), and healthy controls was analyzed. Dysregulated pathways were identified, validated, and correlated with severity and outcomes in 200 patients with SAH. Tohoku‐Hospital‐Pediatrics‐1 (THP1)‐derived macrophages were treated with plasma from study groups in the presence/absence of recombinant PON1 and the phenotype; intracellular lipid bodies and linked functions were evaluated. In patients with SAH, 208 proteins were >1.5 fold differentially regulated (32 up‐regulated and 176 down‐regulated; P < 0.01).Validation studies confirmed lower levels of lipid transporter proteins (Pon1, apolipoprotein [Apo]B, ApoA1, ApoA2, and ApoC3; P < 0.01). Low PON1 levels inversely correlated with severity and mortality (r2 > 0.3; hazard ratio, 0.91; P < 0.01) and predicted nonsurvivors (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.86; cut‐off, <18 μg/mL; log rank, <0.01). Low PON1 levels corroborated with increased oxidized low‐density lipoprotein levels, intracellular lipid bodies, lipid uptake, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis, and alternative macrophage activation genes in nonsurvivors (P < 0.01). Importantly, in vitro recombinant PON1 treatment on THP1 macrophages reversed these changes (P < 0.01), specifically by alteration in expression of clusters of differentiation 36 (CD36) and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette subfamily A1 (ABCA1) receptor on macrophages. Conclusion: Lipid transport proteins contribute to the pathogenesis of SAH, and low PON1 levels inversely correlate with the severity of alcoholic hepatitis and 28‐day mortality. Restitution of circulating PON1 may be beneficial and needs therapeutic evaluation in patients with SAH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sukanta Das
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Adil Bhat
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Ashish Kumar Vyas
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Gaurav Yadav
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | | | - Sukriti Sukriti
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Abhishak C. Gupta
- Department of ResearchInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Chagan Bihari
- Department of HepatologyInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Rakhi Mahiwall
- Department of PathologyInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Shiv Kumar Sarin
- Department of PathologyInstitute of Liver and Biliary SciencesNew DelhiIndia
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Forrest EH, Storey N, Sinha R, Atkinson SR, Vergis N, Richardson P, Masson S, Ryder S, Thursz MR, Allison M, Fraser A, Austin A, McCune A, Dhanda A, Katarey D, Potts J, Verma S, Parker R, Hayes PC. Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts response to corticosteroids and is associated with infection and renal dysfunction in alcoholic hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 50:442-453. [PMID: 31313853 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treating severe alcoholic hepatitis involves the exposure of patients to corticosteroids for 7 days to assess "response". AIM To assess the prognostic and therapeutic implications of baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS Patients recruited to the STOPAH trial and an independent validation group were analysed retrospectively. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) analysis was performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival. Log-rank test and odds ratio (OR) were used for comparative analysis. RESULTS Baseline NLR was available for 789 STOPAH patients. The AUC for NLR was modest for 90-day outcome (0.660), but was associated with infection, acute kidney injury (AKI) and severity of alcoholic hepatitis. Ninety-day survival was not affected by prednisolone treatment if NLR < 5 or > 8 but mortality was reduced with prednisolone treatment when the NLR was 5-8 (21.0% cf. 34.5%; P = 0.012). Prednisolone treatment increased the chance of Lille response if the NLR was ≥ 5 (56.5% cf. 41.1%: P = 0.01; OR 1.86) but increased the risk of day 7 infection (17.3% cf. 7.4%: P = 0.006; OR 2.60) and AKI (20.8% cf. 7.0%: P = 0.008; OR 3.46) if the NLR was > 8. Incorporation of NLR into a modified Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score (mGAHS) improved the AUC to 0.783 and 0.739 for 28-day and 90-day outcome, respectively. CONCLUSION The NLR is associated with AKI and infection in severe alcoholic hepatitis. The NLR identifies those most likely to benefit from corticosteroids at baseline (NLR 5-8). The mGAHS has a good predictive value for 28- and 90-day outcomes.
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Pavlov CS, Varganova DL, Casazza G, Tsochatzis E, Nikolova D, Gluud C. Glucocorticosteroids for people with alcoholic hepatitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 4:CD001511. [PMID: 30964545 PMCID: PMC6455893 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd001511.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis is a form of alcoholic liver disease characterised by steatosis, necroinflammation, fibrosis, and complications to the liver. Typically, alcoholic hepatitis presents in people between 40 and 50 years of age. Alcoholic hepatitis can be resolved if people abstain from drinking, but the risk of death will depend on the severity of the liver damage and abstinence from alcohol. Glucocorticosteroids have been studied extensively in randomised clinical trials to assess their benefits and harms. However, the results have been contradictory. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of glucocorticosteroids in people with alcoholic hepatitis. SEARCH METHODS We identified trials through electronic searches in Cochrane Hepato-Biliary's (CHB) Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, and Science Citation Index Expanded. We looked for ongoing or unpublished trials in clinical trials registers and pharmaceutical company sources. We also scanned reference lists of the studies retrieved. The last search was 18 January 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials assessing glucocorticosteroids versus placebo or no intervention in people with alcoholic hepatitis, irrespective of year, language of publication, or format. We considered trials with adults diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, which could have been established through clinical or biochemical diagnostic criteria or both. We defined alcoholic hepatitis as mild (Maddrey's score less than 32) and severe (Maddrey's score 32 or more). We allowed cointerventions in the trial groups, provided they were similar. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed Cochrane methodology, performing the meta-analyses using Review Manager 5. We presented the results of dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR) and of continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We used both the fixed-effect and the random-effects models for meta-analyses. Whenever there were significant discrepancies in the results, we reported the more conservative point estimate of the two. We considered a P value of 0.01 or less, two-tailed, as statistically significant if the required information size was reached for our three primary outcomes (all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life, and serious adverse events during treatment) and our post hoc decision to include analyses of mortality at more time points. We presented heterogeneity using the I² statistic. If trialists used intention-to-treat analysis to deal with missing data, we used these data in our primary analysis; otherwise, we used the available data. We assessed the bias risk of the trials using bias risk domains and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS Sixteen trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria. All trials but one were at overall high risk of bias. Fifteen trials (one of which was an abstract) provided data for analysis (927 participants received glucocorticosteroids and 934 participants received placebo or no intervention). Glucocorticosteroids were administered orally or parenterally for a median 28 days (range 3 days to 12 weeks). The participants were between 25 and 70 years old, had different stages of alcoholic liver disease, and 65% were men. Follow-up, when reported, was up to the moment of discharge from the hospital, until they died (median of 63 days), or for at least one year. There was no evidence of effect of glucocorticosteroids on all-cause mortality up to three months following randomisation (random-effects RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.15; participants = 1861; trials = 15; very low-certainty evidence) or on health-related quality of life up to three months, measured with the European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions - 3 Levels scale (MD -0.04 points, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.03; participants = 377; trial = 1; low-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of effect on the occurrence of serious adverse events during treatment (random-effects RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.29; participants = 1861; trials = 15; very low-certainty evidence), liver-related mortality up to three months following randomisation (random-effects RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.14; participants = 1861; trials = 15; very low-certainty evidence), number of participants with any complications up to three months following randomisation (random-effects RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.27; participants = 1861; very low-certainty evidence), and number of participants of non-serious adverse events up to three months' follow-up after end of treatment (random-effects RR 1.99, 95% CI 0.72 to 5.48; participants = 160; trials = 4; very low-certainty evidence). Based on the information that we collected from the published trial reports, only one of the trials seems not to be industry-funded, and the remaining 15 trials did not report clearly whether they were partly or completely funded by the industry. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are very uncertain about the effect estimate of no difference between glucocorticosteroids and placebo or no intervention on all-cause mortality and serious adverse events during treatment because the certainty of evidence was very low, and low for health-related quality of life. Due to inadequate reporting, we cannot exclude increases in adverse events. As the CIs were wide, we cannot rule out significant benefits or harms of glucocorticosteroids. Therefore, we need placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials, designed according to the SPIRIT guidelines and reported according to the CONSORT guidelines. Future trials ought to report depersonalised individual participant data, so that proper individual participant data meta-analyses of the effects of glucocorticosteroids in subgroups can be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chavdar S Pavlov
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
- Kazan Federal University18 KremlyovskayaKazanRussian Federation420008
- Center for Evidence‐Based Medicine'Sechenov' First Moscow State Medical UniversityPogodinskja st. 1\1MoscowRussian Federation119881
| | - Daria L Varganova
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
- Center for Evidence‐Based Medicine'Sechenov' First Moscow State Medical UniversityPogodinskja st. 1\1MoscowRussian Federation119881
- Ulyanovsk Regional Clinical HospitalDepartment of GastroenterologyInternational 3UlyanovskRussian Federation432063
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Università degli Studi di MilanoDipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco"via GB Grassi 74MilanItaly20157
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentrePond StreetLondonUKNW3 2QG
| | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
| | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
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Wang W, Xu Y, Jiang C, Gao Y. Advances in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis. Curr Med Res Opin 2019; 35:261-273. [PMID: 29781336 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2018.1479247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is a costly and worldwide public health issue with high morbidity and mortality. Specific effective treatments for SAH have yet to be established. The aim of the present article is to review the current knowledge of the pathogenesis, assessment and treatment options in patients with SAH. To date, alcohol abstinence and enteral nutrition are the recommended first-line treatments. Although corticosteroids remain the preferred therapy for certain patients with a modified Maddrey discriminant function level greater than 54, they only improve short-term survival rates. New research focuses on liver inflammation, liver regeneration, the gut-liver axis, human induced pluripotent stem cells and extracorporeal albumin dialysis. Liver transplantation is considered the last medical option for patients with SAH who are nonresponsive to other medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Wang
- a Department of Hepatology , First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University , Jilin , China
| | - Ying Xu
- a Department of Hepatology , First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University , Jilin , China
| | - Chang Jiang
- a Department of Hepatology , First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University , Jilin , China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- a Department of Hepatology , First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University , Jilin , China
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23
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Sun J, Li B, Sun A, Zhao K, Ma Y, Zhao J, Pan H, Song Q, Wang Y, Yu C, Wang C, Zhang H, Zhang W, Kong C. Comprehensive analysis of aberrantly expressed profiles of messenger RNA in alcoholic liver disease. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:4248-4254. [PMID: 30294942 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one of the major cause of morbidity and mortality of clinical liver disease worldwide. Until today, although many general therapies are carried out and several molecular targets have been proposed to act as the potential therapeutic targets, more accurate molecular targets and more effective therapeutic methods remain needed. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the study, we analyze the differential expression genes (DEGs) between the patients with ALD and healthy controls. Gene Ontology enrichment and KEGG signaling pathway analysis are performed to identify the function of DEGs. Some significant molecules are proposed to act as the potential therapeutic targets for ALD. RNA data of 15 ALD tissues and 7 normal tissues for RNA expression analysis were obtained. DEGs in ALD samples compared with normal tissues identified through the limma R package and subjected to network analysis. RESULTS As a result, we obtained a total of 274 DEGs that mainly involved in biological processes related to the angiogenesis, stress reaction, synthesis, and metabolism of organic acids. Network analysis obtained several genes with high network degree and fold change. Some significant molecules are proposed to act as the potential therapeutic targets for ALD. CONCLUSIONS Our research identified some new progression-related genes of alcohol liver diseases, which could be regarded as the new targets for the early diagnosis and therapeutic management in ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Sun
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Baolong Li
- Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Antao Sun
- Department of Hematology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunpeng Zhao
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yanchun Ma
- Department of Academic Theory and Research, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiuli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Pan
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qingrui Song
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyu Yu
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cui Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chenfan Kong
- Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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24
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Maras JS, Das S, Sharma S, Shasthry SM, Colsch B, Junot C, Moreau R, Sarin SK. Baseline urine metabolic phenotype in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and its association with outcome. Hepatol Commun 2018; 2:628-643. [PMID: 29881815 PMCID: PMC5983217 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) has a high mortality rate, and corticosteroid therapy is effective in 60% patients. This study aimed to investigate a baseline metabolic phenotype that could help stratify patients not likely to respond to steroid therapy and to have an unfavorable outcome. Baseline urine metabolome was studied in patients with SAH using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Patients were categorized as responders (Rs, n = 52) and nonresponders (NRs, n = 8) at day 7 according to the Lille score. Multivariate projection analysis identified metabolites in the discovery cohort (n = 60) and assessed these in a validation cohort of 80 patients (60 Rs, 20 NRs). A total of 212 features were annotated by using metabolomic/biochemical/spectral databases for metabolite identification. After a stringent selection procedure, a total of nine urinary metabolites linked to mitochondrial functions significantly discriminated nonresponders, most importantly by increased acetyl‐L‐carnitine (12‐fold), octanoylcarnitine (4‐fold), decanoylcarnitine (4‐fold), and alpha‐ketoglutaric acid (2‐fold) levels. Additionally, urinary acetyl‐L‐carnitine and 3‐hydroxysebasic acid discriminated nonsurvivors (P < 0.01). These urinary metabolites significantly correlated to severity indices and mortality (r > 0.3; P < 0.01) and were associated with nonresponse (odds ratio >3.0; P < 0.001). In the validation cohort, baseline urinary acetyl‐L‐carnitine documented an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.96 (0.85‐0.99) for nonresponse prediction and a hazard ratio of 3.5 (1.5‐8.3) for the prediction of mortality in patients with SAH. Acetyl‐L‐carnitine at a level of >2,500 ng/mL reliably segregated survivors from nonsurvivors (P < 0.01, log‐rank test) in our study cohort. Conclusion: Urinary metabolome signatures related to mitochondrial functions can predict pretherapy steroid response and disease outcome in patients with SAH. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:628‐643)
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaswinder Singh Maras
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Sukanta Das
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Shvetank Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Saggere M Shasthry
- Department of Hepatology Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Benoit Colsch
- Service de Pharmacologie et Immunoanalyse, Laboratoire d'Etude du Métabolisme des Médicaments, DRF/Institut Joliot, CEA-Saclay, MetaboHUB Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette France
| | - Christophe Junot
- Service de Pharmacologie et Immunoanalyse, Laboratoire d'Etude du Métabolisme des Médicaments, DRF/Institut Joliot, CEA-Saclay, MetaboHUB Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette France
| | - Richard Moreau
- Department of Hepatology Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India.,INSERM, Université Paris Diderot, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation Paris France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire UNITY, Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Clichy France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence Inflamex COMUE Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris France
| | - Shiv Kumar Sarin
- Department of Hepatology Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi India
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25
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Forrest EH, Atkinson SR, Richardson P, Masson S, Ryder S, Thursz MR, Allison M, Gleeson D, Austin A, Patch D, Dhanda A, Shawcross D, Wright M. Application of prognostic scores in the STOPAH trial: Discriminant function is no longer the optimal scoring system in alcoholic hepatitis. J Hepatol 2018; 68:511-518. [PMID: 29175535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS 'Static' prognostic models in alcoholic hepatitis, using data from a single time point, include the discriminant function (DF), Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score (GAHS), the age, serum bilirubin, international normalized ratio and serum creatinine (ABIC) score and the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD). 'Dynamic' scores, incorporating evolution of bilirubin at seven days, include the Lille score. The aim of this study was to assess these scores' performance in patients from the STOPAH trial. METHODS Predictive performance of scores was assessed by area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). The effect of different therapeutic strategies upon survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and tested using the log-rank test. RESULTS A total of 1,068 patients were studied. The AUCs for the DF were significantly lower than for MELD, ABIC and GAHS for both 28- and 90-day outcomes: 90-day values were 0.670, 0.704, 0.726 and 0.713, respectively. 'Dynamic' scores and change in 'static' scores by Day 7 had similar AUCs. Patients with consistently low 'static' scores had low 28-day mortalities that were not improved with prednisolone (MELD <25: 8.6%; ABIC <6.71: 6.6%; GAHS <9: 5.9%). In patients with high 'static' scores without gastrointestinal bleeding or sepsis, prednisolone reduced 28-day mortality (MELD: 22.2% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.13; ABIC 14.6% vs. 21%, p = 0.02; GAHS 21% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.04). Overall mortality from treating all patients with a DF ≥32 and Lille assessment (90-day mortality 26.8%) was greater than combining newer 'static' and 'dynamic' scores (90-day mortality: MELD/Lille 21.8%; ABIC/Lille 23.7%; GAHS/Lille 20.6%). CONCLUSION MELD, ABIC and GAHS are superior to the DF in alcoholic hepatitis. Consistently low scores have a favourable outcome not improved with prednisolone. Combined baseline 'static' and Day 7 scores reduce the number of patients exposed to corticosteroids and improve 90-day outcome. LAY SUMMARY Alcoholic hepatitis is a life-threatening condition. Several scores exist to determine the outcome of these patients as well as to identify those who may benefit from treatment. This study looked at the performance of existing scores in patients who had been recruited to the largest alcoholic hepatitis clinical trial: STOPAH. 'Static' scores are calculable at the start of assessment. The three newer static scores (ABIC, GAHS and MELD) were shown to be superior to the oldest score (DF). ABIC and GAHS could also identify patients who had a survival benefit 28 days after starting prednisolone treatment. 'Dynamic' scores relate to the change in disease over the first week of treatment. Combination of the 'static' scores 'with the 'dynamic' scores or change in 'static' scores allowed identification of patients who could benefit from prednisolone up to 90 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewan H Forrest
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Paul Richardson
- Liver Unit, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Masson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Ryder
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Liver Unit, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Allison
- Liver Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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26
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Predictors of 90-day mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: Experience with 183 patients at a tertiary care center from India. Indian J Gastroenterol 2018; 37:141-152. [PMID: 29704174 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-018-0842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is not an uncommon indication for hospital admission in India. However, there is limited data from India on predictors of mortality in patients of severe AH. We analyzed the data on patients with severe AH admitted to our institute and compared various parameters and severity scores in predicting 90-day mortality. METHODS In this prospective study, we analyzed patients with severe AH (defined as discriminant function ≥ 32) admitted from January 2015 to February 2017 to our institute. All patients were administered standard treatment according to various guidelines, and their 90-day mortality was determined. Various hematologic, biochemical factors, and severity scores were compared between survivors and patients who died. RESULTS A total of 183 patients (98% males, median age 41 years [range 20-70 years]) were included in our study. The median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) was 26 (15-40). Ascites were present in 83% and hepatic encephalopathy in 38%. Only 21 (12%) could be offered steroid therapy, due to contraindications in the remaining. By 90 days, only 103 (56%) patients survived while 80 (44%) died. All patients died due to progressive liver failure and its complications. On multivariate analysis, presence of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, high bilirubin, low albumin, high creatinine, high INR, and low potassium independently predicted 90-day mortality. All the scores performed significantly in predicting 90-day mortality with no statistically significant difference between them. MELD score had a maximum area under the curve 0.76 for 90-day mortality. A combination of Child class and presence of acute kidney injury (creatinine ≥ 1.35) was good in predicting 90-day mortality. CONCLUSION Our patients had severe AH characterized by a median MELD score of 26 and had a 90-day mortality of 44%. Most patients were not eligible to receive corticosteroids. Presence of Child C status and high serum creatinine value (≥ 1.35 mg/dL) accurately predicted mortality. Newer treatment options need to be explored for these patients.
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27
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Pavlov CS, Varganova DL, Casazza G, Tsochatzis E, Nikolova D, Gluud C. Glucocorticosteroids for people with alcoholic hepatitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 11:CD001511. [PMID: 29096421 PMCID: PMC6491283 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd001511.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis is a form of alcoholic liver disease, characterised by steatosis, necroinflammation, fibrosis, and potential complications to the liver disease. Typically, alcoholic hepatitis presents in people between 40 and 50 years of age. Alcoholic hepatitis can be resolved if people abstain from drinking, but the risk of death will depend on the severity of the liver damage and abstinence from alcohol. Glucocorticosteroids are used as anti-inflammatory drugs for people with alcoholic hepatitis. Glucocorticosteroids have been studied extensively in randomised clinical trials in order to assess their benefits and harms. However, the results have been contradictory. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of glucocorticosteroids in people with alcoholic hepatitis. SEARCH METHODS We identified trials through electronic searches in Cochrane Hepato-Biliary's (CHB) Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, and Science Citation Index Expanded. We looked for ongoing or unpublished trials in clinical trials registers and pharmaceutical company sources. We also scanned reference lists of the studies retrieved. The last search was 20 October 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials assessing glucocorticosteroids versus placebo or no intervention in people with alcoholic hepatitis, irrespective of year, language of publication, or format. We considered trials with adult participants diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, which could have been established through clinical or biochemical diagnostic criteria or both. We defined alcoholic hepatitis as mild (Maddrey's score less than 32) and severe (Maddrey's score 32 or more). We allowed co-interventions in the trial groups, provided they were similar. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed Cochrane and CHB methodology, performing the meta-analyses using Review Manager 5 and Trial Sequential Analysis. We presented the results of dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR) and those of the continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD). We applied both the fixed-effect model and the random-effects model meta-analyses. Whenever there were significant discrepancies in the results, we reported the more conservative point estimate of the two. We considered a P value of 0.01 or less, two-tailed, as statistically significant if the required information size was reached due to our three primary outcomes (all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life, and serious adverse events during treatment) and our post hoc decision to include analyses of mortality at more time points. We presented heterogeneity using the I² statistic. If trialists used intention-to-treat analysis to deal with missing data, we used these data in our primary analysis; otherwise, we used the available data. We assessed the bias risk of the trials using bias risk domains and the quality of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS Sixteen trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All trials were at high risk of bias. Fifteen trials provided data for analysis (927 participants received glucocorticosteroids and 934 participants received placebo or no intervention). The glucocorticosteroids were administered orally or parenterally for a median of 28 days (range 3 days to 12 weeks). The participants were between 25 and 70 years old, had different stages of alcoholic liver disease, and 65% were men. The follow-up of trial participants, when it was reported, was up to the moment of discharge from the hospital, until they died (a median of 63 days), or for at least a year. There was no evidence of effect of glucocorticosteroids on all-cause mortality up to three months following randomisation neither with traditional meta-analysis (random-effects RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.15; participants = 1861; trials = 15; I² = 45% (moderate heterogeneity) nor with Trial Sequential Analysis. Meta-analysis showed no evidence of effect on health-related quality of life up to three months (MD -0.04 points; 95% CI -0.11 to 0.03; participants = 377; trial = 1; low-quality evidence), measured with the European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions-3 Levels (EQ- 5D-3L) scale. There was no evidence of effect on the occurrence of serious adverse events during treatment, neither with traditional meta-analysis (random-effects RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.29; participants = 1861; trials = 15; I² = 36% (moderate heterogeneity), liver-related mortality up to three months following randomisation (random-effects RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.14; participants = 1861; trials = 15; I² = 46% (moderate heterogeneity), frequency of any complications up to three months following randomisation (random-effects RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.27; participants = 1861; I² = 42% (moderate heterogeneity), and frequency of non-serious adverse events up to three months' follow-up after end of treatment (random-effects RR 1.99, 95% CI 0.72 to 5.48; participants = 160; trials = 4; I² = 0% (no heterogeneity) nor with Trial Sequential Analysis. Nine of the trials were industry-funded. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of a difference between glucocorticosteroids and placebo or no intervention on all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life, and serious adverse events during treatment. The risk of bias was high and the quality of evidence was very low or low. Therefore, we are very uncertain about this effect estimate. Due to inadequate reporting, we cannot exclude increases in adverse events. As the confidence intervals were wide, we cannot rule out significant benefits and harms of glucocorticosteroids. Therefore, we need placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials, designed according to the SPIRIT guidelines and reported according to the CONSORT guidelines. Future trials ought to report depersonalised individual participant data, so that proper individual participant data meta-analyses of the effects of glucocorticosteroids in subgroups can be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daria L Varganova
- Ulyanovsk Regional Clinical HospitalDepartment of GastroenterologyInternational 3UlyanovskRussian Federation432063
| | | | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentrePond StreetLondonUKNW3 2QG
| | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
| | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
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Singh S, Osna NA, Kharbanda KK. Treatment options for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A review. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:6549-6570. [PMID: 29085205 PMCID: PMC5643281 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i36.6549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are serious health problems worldwide. These two diseases have similar pathological spectra, ranging from simple steatosis to hepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although most people with excessive alcohol or calorie intake display abnormal fat accumulation in the liver (simple steatosis), a small percentage develops progressive liver disease. Despite extensive research on understanding the pathophysiology of both these diseases there are still no targeted therapies available. The treatment for ALD remains as it was 50 years ago: abstinence, nutritional support and corticosteroids (or pentoxifylline as an alternative if steroids are contraindicated). As for NAFLD, the treatment modality is mainly directed toward weight loss and co-morbidity management. Therefore, new pathophysiology directed therapies are urgently needed. However, the involvement of several inter-related pathways in the pathogenesis of these diseases suggests that a single therapeutic agent is unlikely to be an effective treatment strategy. Hence, a combination therapy towards multiple targets would eventually be required. In this review, we delineate the treatment options in ALD and NAFLD, including various new targeted therapies that are currently under investigation. We hope that soon we will be having an effective multi-therapeutic regimen for each disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhpreet Singh
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
| | - Natalia A Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
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Dunne PDJ, Forrest EH. Review article: recent insights into clinical decision-making in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:274-281. [PMID: 28543549 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe acute manifestation of alcoholic liver disease with a high mortality. Management of patients with this condition has been a matter of controversy for many years; however, recent clinical studies have sought to improve the clinical approach to these patients. AIM To use these recent studies in order to guide clinical management. METHODS A MeSH search of Medline was performed to specifically identify recent studies which influenced clinical diagnosis, assessment and management of alcoholic hepatitis. RESULTS Fulfilment of clear clinical criteria including a minimum threshold of bilirubin, defined periods of jaundice and alcohol ingestion negates the need for liver biopsy in most patients. Corticosteroids improve short-term mortality only (28 day) with other factors such as abstinence likely to be significant in long-term outcome. Pentoxifylline is not an effective treatment. The Glasgow Alcoholic Hepatitis Score (GAHS) score can identify those patients likely to benefit from corticosteroids, but scores that include the evolution of bilirubin over 1 week of such treatment (such as the Lille Score) define "response". Underlying infection may contribute towards corticosteroid nonresponse and needs to be actively sought out and treated. Liver transplant remains controversial; however, it has been shown to be feasible in alcoholic hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS Recent studies have helped to define patients who may benefit from corticosteroid treatment. However, there remains a need for more accurate scores of prognosis and treatment response, and a clear need for alternative treatments for those patients not responding to corticosteroid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D J Dunne
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - E H Forrest
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
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30
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Atkinson SR, Way MJ, McQuillin A, Morgan MY, Thursz MR. Homozygosity for rs738409:G in PNPLA3 is associated with increased mortality following an episode of severe alcoholic hepatitis. J Hepatol 2017; 67:120-127. [PMID: 28161471 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Carriage of rs738409:G in PNPLA3 is associated with an increased risk of developing alcohol-related cirrhosis and has a significant negative effect on survival. Short-term mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis is high; drinking behaviour is a major determinant of outcome in survivors. The aim of this study was to determine whether carriage of rs738409:G has an additional detrimental effect on survival in this patient group. METHODS Genotyping was undertaken in 898 cases with severe alcoholic hepatitis, recruited through the UK Steroids or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis (STOPAH) trial, and 1188 White British/Irish alcohol dependent controls with no liver injury, recruited via University College London. Subsequent drinking behaviour was classified, in cases surviving ≥90days, as abstinent or drinking. The relationship between rs738409 genotype, drinking behaviour and survival was explored. RESULTS The frequency of rs738409:G was significantly higher in cases than controls (29.5% vs. 18.9%; p=2.15×10-15; odds ratio 1.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55-2.08]). Case-mortality at days 28, 90 and 450 was 16%, 25% and 41% respectively. There was no association between rs738409:G and 28-day mortality. Mortality in the 90 to 450-day period was higher in survivors who subsequently resumed drinking (hazard ratio [HR] 2.77, 95% CI 1.79-4.29; p<0.0001) and in individuals homozygous for rs738409:G (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.02-2.81, p=0.04). CONCLUSION Homozygosity for rs738409:G in PNPLA3 confers significant additional risk of medium-term mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Rs738409 genotype may be taken into account when considering treatment options for these patients. LAY SUMMARY Individuals misusing alcohol who carry a particular variant of the gene PNPLA3 are more at risk of developing severe alcoholic hepatitis, a condition with a poor chance of survival. The longer-term outcome in people with this condition who survive the initial illness is strongly influenced by their ability to remain abstinent from alcohol. However, carriers of this gene variant are less likely to survive even if they are able to stop drinking completely. Knowing if someone carries this gene variant could influence the way in which they are managed. Clinical trial numbers: EudraCT reference number: 2009-013897-42; ISRCTN reference number: ISRCTN88782125. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS EudraCT reference number: 2009-013897-42; ISRCTN reference number: ISRCTN88782125.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Atkinson
- Department of Hepatology, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Michael J Way
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London, UK; Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew McQuillin
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marsha Y Morgan
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Department of Hepatology, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
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Vergis N, Atkinson SR, Knapp S, Maurice J, Allison M, Austin A, Forrest EH, Masson S, McCune A, Patch D, Richardson P, Gleeson D, Ryder SD, Wright M, Thursz MR. In Patients With Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis, Prednisolone Increases Susceptibility to Infection and Infection-Related Mortality, and Is Associated With High Circulating Levels of Bacterial DNA. Gastroenterology 2017; 152:1068-1077.e4. [PMID: 28043903 PMCID: PMC6381387 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Infections are common in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH), but little information is available on how to predict their development or their effects on patients. Prednisolone is advocated for treatment of SAH, but can increase susceptibility to infection. We compared the effects of infection on clinical outcomes of patients treated with and without prednisolone, and identified risk factors for development of infection in SAH. METHODS We analyzed data from 1092 patients enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with prednisolone (40 mg daily) or pentoxifylline (400 mg 3 times each day) in patients with SAH. The 2 × 2 factorial design led to 547 patients receiving prednisolone; 546 were treated with pentoxifylline. The trial was conducted in the United Kingdom from January 2011 through February 2014. Data on development of infection were collected at evaluations performed at screening, baseline, weekly during admission, on discharge, and after 90 days. Patients were diagnosed with infection based on published clinical and microbiologic criteria. Risk factors for development of infection and effects on 90-day mortality were evaluated separately in patients treated with prednisolone (n = 547) and patients not treated with prednisolone (n = 545) using logistic regression. Pretreatment blood levels of bacterial DNA (bDNA) were measured in 731 patients. RESULTS Of the 1092 patients in the study, 135 had an infection at baseline, 251 developed infections during treatment, and 89 patients developed an infection after treatment. There was no association between pentoxifylline therapy and the risk of serious infection (P = .084), infection during treatment (P = .20), or infection after treatment (P = .27). Infections classified as serious were more frequent in patients treated with prednisolone (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-2.92; P = .002). There was no association between prednisolone therapy and infection during treatment (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.78-1.37; P = .80). However, a higher proportion (10%) of patients receiving prednisolone developed an infection after treatment than of patients not given prednisolone (6%) (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.07-2.69; P = .024). Development of infection was associated with increased 90-day mortality in patients with SAH treated with prednisolone, independent of model for end-stage liver disease or Lille score (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.41-4.30; P = .002). High circulating bDNA predicted infection that developed within 7 days of prednisolone therapy, independent of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and white blood cell count (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.80-12.17; P = .001). In patients who did not receive prednisolone, infection was not independently associated with 90-day mortality (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.54-1.62; P = .82) or levels of bDNA (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.39-1.75; P = .62). CONCLUSIONS Patients with SAH given prednisolone are at greater risk for developing serious infections and infections after treatment than patients not given prednisolone, which may offset its therapeutic benefit. Level of circulating bDNA before treatment could identify patients at high risk of infection if given prednisolone; these data could be used to select therapies for patients with SAH. EudraCT no: 2009-013897-42; Current Controlled Trials no: ISRCTN88782125.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen R. Atkinson
- Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,Reprint requests Address requests for reprints to: Stephen Atkinson, PhD, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College, London, W2 1NY, UK. fax: +4420 7724 9369.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Steven Masson
- Freeman Hospital, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, National Health Service Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anne McCune
- Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul Richardson
- Royal Liverpool University National Health Service Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Dermot Gleeson
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen D. Ryder
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases at Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust and The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Wright
- Southampton University Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Buzzetti E, Kalafateli M, Thorburn D, Davidson BR, Thiele M, Gluud LL, Del Giovane C, Askgaard G, Krag A, Tsochatzis E, Gurusamy KS. Pharmacological interventions for alcoholic liver disease (alcohol-related liver disease): an attempted network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 3:CD011646. [PMID: 28368093 PMCID: PMC6464309 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011646.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-related liver disease is due to excessive alcohol consumption. It includes a spectrum of liver diseases such as alcohol-related fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Mortality associated with alcoholic hepatitis is high. The optimal pharmacological treatment of alcoholic hepatitis and other alcohol-related liver disease remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To assess the comparative benefits and harms of different pharmacological interventions in the management of alcohol-related liver disease through a network meta-analysis and to generate rankings of the available pharmacological interventions according to their safety and efficacy in order to identify potential treatments. However, even in the subgroup of participants when the potential effect modifiers appeared reasonably similar across comparisons, there was evidence of inconsistency by one or more methods of assessment of inconsistency. Therefore, we did not report the results of the network meta-analysis and reported the comparative benefits and harms of different interventions using standard Cochrane methodology. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and randomised controlled trials registers until February 2017 to identify randomised clinical trials on pharmacological treatments for alcohol-related liver diseases. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) including participants with alcohol-related liver disease. We excluded trials that included participants who had previously undergone liver transplantation and those with co-existing chronic viral diseases. We considered any of the various pharmacological interventions compared with each other or with placebo or no intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently identified trials and independently extracted data. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and rate ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using both fixed-effect and random-effects models based on available-participant analysis with Review Manager. We assessed risk of bias according to Cochrane, controlled risk of random errors with Trial Sequential Analysis, and assessed the quality of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We identified a total of 81 randomised clinical trials. All the trials were at high risk of bias, and the overall quality of the evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. Alcoholic hepatitisFifty randomised clinical trials included 4484 participants with alcoholic hepatitis. The period of follow-up ranged from one to 12 months. Because of concerns about transitivity assumption, we did not perform the network meta-analysis. None of the active interventions showed any improvement in any of the clinical outcomes reported in the trials, which includes mortality (at various time points), cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplantation. None of the trials reported health-related quality of life or incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Severe alcoholic hepatitisOf the trials on alcoholic hepatitis, 19 trials (2545 participants) included exclusively participants with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey Discriminat Function > 32). The period of follow-up ranged from one to 12 months. There was no alteration in the conclusions when only people with severe alcoholic hepatitis were included in the analysis. SOURCE OF FUNDING Eleven trials were funded by parties with vested interest in the results. Sixteen trials were funded by parties without vested interest in the results. The source of funding was not reported in 23 trials. Other alcohol-related liver diseasesThirty-one randomised clinical trials included 3695 participants with other alcohol-related liver diseases (with a wide spectrum of alcohol-related liver diseases). The period of follow-up ranged from one to 48 months. The mortality at maximal follow-up was lower in the propylthiouracil group versus the no intervention group (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.78; 423 participants; 2 trials; low-quality evidence). However, this result is based on two small trials at high risk of bias and further confirmation in larger trials of low risk of bias is necessary to recommend propylthiouracil routinely in people with other alcohol-related liver diseases. The mortality at maximal follow-up was higher in the ursodeoxycholic acid group versus the no intervention group (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.90; 226 participants; 1 trial; low-quality evidence). SOURCE OF FUNDING Twelve trials were funded by parties with vested interest in the results. Three trials were funded by parties without vested interest in the results. The source of funding was not reported in 16 trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Because of very low-quality evidence, there is uncertainty in the effectiveness of any pharmacological intervention versus no intervention in people with alcoholic hepatitis or severe alcoholic hepatitis. Based on low-quality evidence, propylthiouracil may decrease mortality in people with other alcohol-related liver diseases. However, these results must be confirmed by adequately powered trials with low risk of bias before propylthiouracil can be considered effective.Future randomised clinical trials should be conducted with approximately 200 participants in each group and follow-up of one to two years in order to compare the benefits and harms of different treatments in people with alcoholic hepatitis. Randomised clinical trials should include health-related quality of life and report serious adverse events separately from adverse events. Future randomised clinical trials should have a low risk of bias and low risk of random errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Buzzetti
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Maria Kalafateli
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Douglas Thorburn
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Brian R Davidson
- Royal Free Campus, UCL Medical SchoolDepartment of SurgeryPond StreetLondonUKNW3 2QG
| | - Maja Thiele
- Odense University HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology and HepatologySdr. Boulevard 29, Entrance 126OdenseDenmark5000
| | - Lise Lotte Gluud
- Copenhagen University Hospital HvidovreGastrounit, Medical DivisionKettegaards AlleHvidovreDenmark2650
| | - Cinzia Del Giovane
- University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaCochrane Italy, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health MedicineVia del Pozzo 71ModenaItaly41124
| | - Gro Askgaard
- RigshospitaletDepartment of HepatologyBlegdamsvej 9København ØDenmark2100
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Odense University HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology and HepatologySdr. Boulevard 29, indgang 126Odense CDenmark5000
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
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Ndugga N, Lightbourne TG, Javaherian K, Cabezas J, Verma N, Barritt AS, Bataller R. Disparities between research attention and burden in liver diseases: implications on uneven advances in pharmacological therapies in Europe and the USA. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e013620. [PMID: 28336739 PMCID: PMC5372160 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Effective oral therapies for hepatitis B and C have recently been developed, while there are no approved pharmacological therapies for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (ALD and NAFLD). We hypothesise that fewer advances in fatty liver diseases could be related to disparities in research attention. METHODS We developed the Attention-to-Burden Index (ABI) that compares the research activities during 2010-2014, and an estimate of disease burden of these 4 major liver diseases. The resulting ratio reflects either overattention (positive value) or inadequate attention (negative value) compared with disease burden. The mean research attention and disease burden were calculated from 5 and 6 different parameters, respectively. The efficacy rate of current pharmacological therapies was assessed from published clinical trials. FINDINGS The mean research attention for hepatitis B and C was 31% and 47%, respectively, while NAFLD and ALD received 17% and 5%. The overall burden was 5% and 28% for hepatitis B and C, and 17% and 50% for NAFLD and ALD. The calculated ABI for hepatitis B and C revealed a +6.7-fold and +1.7-fold overattention, respectively. NAFLD received an appropriate attention compared with its burden, while ALD received marked inadequate attention of -9.7-fold. The efficacy rate of current pharmacological agents was 72% for hepatitis B, 89% for hepatitis C, 25% for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 13% for alcoholic hepatitis. Importantly, we found a positive correlation between the mean attention and the efficacy rate of current therapies in these 4 major liver diseases. INTERPRETATION There are important disparities between research attention and disease burden among the major liver diseases. While viral hepatitis has received considerable attention, there is a marked inadequate attention to ALD. There is a critical need to increase awareness of ALD in the liver research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nambi Ndugga
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Teisha G Lightbourne
- Biochemistry, Departments of Medicine and Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kavon Javaherian
- Biochemistry, Departments of Medicine and Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joaquin Cabezas
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Neha Verma
- Biochemistry, Departments of Medicine and Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - A Sidney Barritt
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Vergis N, Khamri W, Beale K, Sadiq F, Aletrari MO, Moore C, Atkinson SR, Bernsmeier C, Possamai LA, Petts G, Ryan JM, Abeles RD, James S, Foxton M, Hogan B, Foster GR, O'Brien AJ, Ma Y, Shawcross DL, Wendon JA, Antoniades CG, Thursz MR. Defective monocyte oxidative burst predicts infection in alcoholic hepatitis and is associated with reduced expression of NADPH oxidase. Gut 2017; 66:519-529. [PMID: 26860769 PMCID: PMC5534772 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to explain the increased susceptibility to serious infection in alcoholic hepatitis, we evaluated monocyte phagocytosis, aberrations of associated signalling pathways and their reversibility, and whether phagocytic defects could predict subsequent infection. DESIGN Monocytes were identified from blood samples of 42 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis using monoclonal antibody to CD14. Phagocytosis and monocyte oxidative burst (MOB) were measured ex vivo using flow cytometry, luminometry and bacterial killing assays. Defects were related to the subsequent development of infection. Intracellular signalling pathways were investigated using western blotting and PCR. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was evaluated for its therapeutic potential in reversing phagocytic defects. Paired longitudinal samples were used to evaluate the effect of in vivo prednisolone therapy. RESULTS MOB, production of superoxide and bacterial killing in response to Escherichia coli were markedly impaired in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Pretreatment MOB predicted development of infection within two weeks with sensitivity and specificity that were superior to available clinical markers. Accordingly, defective MOB was associated with death at 28 and 90 days. Expression of the gp91 phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase was reduced in patients with alcoholic hepatitis demonstrating defective MOB. Monocytes were refractory to IFN-γ stimulation and showed high levels of a negative regulator of cytokine signalling, suppressor of cytokine signalling-1. MOB was unaffected by 7 days in vivo prednisolone therapy. CONCLUSIONS Monocyte oxidative burst and bacterial killing is impaired in alcoholic hepatitis while bacterial uptake by phagocytosis is preserved. Defective MOB is associated with reduced expression of NADPH oxidase in these patients and predicts the development of infection and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Vergis
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Wafa Khamri
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Kylie Beale
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Fouzia Sadiq
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Mina O Aletrari
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Celia Moore
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Stephen R Atkinson
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Christine Bernsmeier
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | - Lucia A Possamai
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gemma Petts
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Ryan
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | - Robin D Abeles
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | - Sarah James
- Department of Hepatology, University College, London, UK
| | | | - Brian Hogan
- Department of Hepatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Graham R Foster
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Yun Ma
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | - Debbie L Shawcross
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | - Julia A Wendon
- Department of Hepatology, King's College Hospital, Institute of Liver Studies, London, UK
| | | | - Mark R Thursz
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College, London, UK
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Watanabe Y, Kamimura K, Iwasaki T, Abe H, Takahashi S, Mizuno KI, Takeuchi M, Eino A, Narita I, Terai S. Case of severe alcoholic hepatitis treated with granulocytapheresis. World J Clin Cases 2016; 4:369-374. [PMID: 27900326 PMCID: PMC5112357 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v4.i11.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) has a high mortality, and it is associated with encephalopathy, acute renal failure, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and endotoxemia. The 28-d mortality remains poor (34%-40%), because no effective treatment has been established. Recently, corticosteroids (CS) have been considered effective for significantly improving the prognosis of those with AH, as it prevents the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, CS are not always appropriate as an initial therapeutic option, such as in cases with an infection or resistance to CS. We describe a patient with severe AH complicated by a severe infection caused by the multidrug resistance bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and was successfully treated with granulocytapheresis monotherapy without using CS. The experience of this case will provide understanding of the disease and information treating cases without using CS.
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Singal AK, Kodali S, Vucovich LA, Darley-Usmar V, Schiano TD. Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Systematic Review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1390-402. [PMID: 27254289 PMCID: PMC4930399 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) occurs in about one-third of individuals reporting long-term heavy alcohol use. It is associated with high short-term mortality, economic burden, and hospital resources utilization. We performed this systematic review to (i) describe clinical characteristics and genomics associated with the risk of AH; (ii) discuss role and limitations of liver biopsy and prognostic scoring systems; (iii) summarize evidence regarding the currently available therapies including liver transplantation; and (iv) outline emerging therapies with areas of unmet need. Literature search was performed for studies published in English language (January 1971 through March 2016). The following search engines were used: PubMed, Elsevier Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. For the treatment section, only randomized controlled studies were included for this review. A total of 138 studies (59 randomized, 22 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 7 surveys or guidelines, 7 population-based, and 43 prospective cohorts) were cited. There are over 325,000 annual admissions with AH contributing to about 0.8% of all hospitalizations in the United States. Liver biopsy may be required in about 25 to 30% cases for uncertain clinical diagnosis. Corticosteroids with or without N-acetylcysteine remains the only available therapy for severe episodes. Data are emerging on the role of liver transplantation as salvage therapy for select patients. Abstinence remains the most important factor impacting long-term prognosis. Results from the ongoing clinical trials within the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-funded consortia are awaited for more effective and safer therapies. AH is a potentially lethal condition with a significant short-term mortality. A high index of suspicion is required. There remains an unmet need for noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, and predicting prognosis and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sudha Kodali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lee A Vucovich
- UAB Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Victor Darley-Usmar
- Department of Pathology and Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Thomas D Schiano
- Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, New York
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Saberi B, Dadabhai AS, Jang YY, Gurakar A, Mezey E. Current Management of Alcoholic Hepatitis and Future Therapies. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2016; 4:113-22. [PMID: 27350941 PMCID: PMC4913072 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2016.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is one of the most common etiologies of liver disease, and alcoholic liver disease overall is the second most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. It encompasses a spectrum of disease, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis (AH), and alcoholic cirrhosis. AH can range from mild to severe disease, with severe disease being defined as: Discriminant Function (DF) ≥ 32, or Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) ≥ 21, or presence of hepatic encephalopathy. Management of the mild disease consists mainly of abstinence and supportive care. Severe AH is associated with significant mortality. Currently, there is no ideal medical treatment for this condition. Besides alcohol cessation, corticosteroids have been used with conflicting results and are associated with an inherent risk of infection. Overall steroids have shown short term benefit when compared to placebo, but they have no obvious long term benefits. Pentoxifylline does not improve survival in patients with severe AH and is no longer recommended based on the results of the STOPAH (Steroid Or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis) trial. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents are associated with increased risk of life threatening infections and death. Currently, early stage trials are underway, mainly targeting novel pathways based on disease pathogenesis, including modulation of innate immune system, inhibition of gut-liver axis and cell death pathways, and activation of transcription factor farnesyl X receptor (FXR). Future treatment may lie in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, which is currently under investigation for the study of pathogenesis, drug discovery, and stem cell transplantation. Liver transplantation has been reported with good results in highly selected patients but is controversial due to limited organ supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Saberi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- *Correspondence to: Behnam Saberi, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel: +1-410-614-2543, Fax: +1-410-614-7340, E-mail:
| | - Alia S. Dadabhai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yoon-Young Jang
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Esteban Mezey
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Thursz M, Morgan TR. Treatment of Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis. Gastroenterology 2016; 150:1823-34. [PMID: 26948886 PMCID: PMC5828019 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a syndrome of jaundice and liver failure that occurs in a minority of heavy consumers of alcohol. The diagnosis usually is based on a history of heavy alcohol use, findings from blood tests, and exclusion of other liver diseases by blood and imaging analyses. Liver biopsy specimens, usually collected via the transjugular route, should be analyzed to confirm a diagnosis of AH in patients with an atypical history or presentation. The optimal treatment for patients with severe AH is prednisolone, possibly in combination with N-acetyl cysteine. At present, only short-term increases in survival can be expected-no treatment has been found to increase patient survival beyond 3 months. Abstinence is essential for long-term survival. New treatment options, including liver transplantation, are being tested in trials and results eagerly are awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Thursz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Imperial College, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Timothy R Morgan
- Gastroenterology Services, VA Long Beach Healthcare, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California.
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Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. ALD encompasses a spectrum of disorders including asymptomatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and its related complications, and the acute-on-chronic state of alcoholic hepatitis. While multidisciplinary efforts continue to be aimed at curbing progression of this spectrum of disorders, there is an urgent need to focus our efforts on effective therapeutic interventions for alcoholic hepatitis (AH), the most severe form of ALD. AH is characterized by an abrupt development of jaundice and complications related to liver insufficiency and portal hypertension in patients with heavy alcohol intake. The mortality of patients with severe AH is very high (20-50 % at 3 months). The current therapeutic regimens are limited. The development of new therapies requires translational studies in human samples and suitable animal models that reproduce clinical and histological features of human AH. This review article summarizes the clinical syndrome, pre-clinical translational tools, and pathogenesis of AH at a molecular and cellular level, with the aim of identifying new targets of potential therapeutic intervention.
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Bowers M, Stanton L, Thursz M. Design, method and application of stopping rules in a phase III 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial. Trials 2015. [PMCID: PMC4660189 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-16-s2-p207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Thursz M, Forrest E, Roderick P, Day C, Austin A, O'Grady J, Ryder S, Allison M, Gleeson D, McCune A, Patch D, Wright M, Masson S, Richardson P, Vale L, Mellor J, Stanton L, Bowers M, Ratcliffe I, Downs N, Kirkman S, Homer T, Ternent L. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of STeroids Or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis (STOPAH): a 2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial. Health Technol Assess 2015; 19:1-104. [PMID: 26691209 PMCID: PMC4781103 DOI: 10.3310/hta191020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a distinct presentation of alcoholic liver disease arising in patients who have been drinking to excess for prolonged periods, which is characterised by jaundice and liver failure. Severe disease is associated with high short-term mortality. Prednisolone and pentoxifylline (PTX) are recommended in guidelines for treatment of severe AH, but trials supporting their use have given heterogeneous results and controversy persists about their benefit. OBJECTIVES The aim of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of STeroids Or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis trial was to resolve the clinical dilemma on the use of prednisolone or PTX. DESIGN The trial was a randomised, double-blind, 2 × 2 factorial, multicentre design. SETTING Sixty-five gastroenterology and hepatology inpatient units across the UK. PARTICIPANTS Patients with a clinical diagnosis of AH who had a Maddrey's discriminant function value of ≥ 32 were randomised into four arms: A, placebo/placebo; B, placebo/prednisolone; C, PTX/placebo; and D, PTX/prednisolone. Of the 5234 patients screened for the trial, 1103 were randomised and after withdrawals, 1053 were available for primary end-point analysis. INTERVENTIONS Those allocated to prednisolone were given 40 mg daily for 28 days and those allocated to PTX were given 400 mg three times per day for 28 days. OUTCOMES The primary outcome measure was mortality at 28 days. Secondary outcome measures included mortality or liver transplant at 90 days and at 1 year. Rates of recidivism among survivors and the impact of recidivism on mortality were assessed. RESULTS At 28 days, in arm A, 45 of 269 (16.7%) patients died; in arm B, 38 of 266 (14.3%) died; in arm C, 50 of 258 (19.4%) died; and in arm D, 35 of 260 (13.5%) died. For PTX, the odds ratio for 28-day mortality was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77 to 1.40; p = 0.686)] and for prednisolone the odds ratio was 0.72 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.01; p = 0.056). In the logistic regression analysis, accounting for indices of disease severity and prognosis, the odds ratio for 28-day mortality in the prednisolone-treated group was 0.61 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.91; p = 0.015). At 90 days and 1 year there were no significant differences in mortality rates between the treatment groups. Serious infections occurred in 13% of patients treated with prednisolone compared with 7% of controls (p = 0.002). At the 90-day follow-up, 45% of patients reported being completely abstinent, 9% reported drinking within safety limits and 33% had an unknown level of alcohol consumption. At 1 year, 37% of patients reported being completely abstinent, 10% reported drinking within safety limits and 39% had an unknown level of alcohol consumption. Only 22% of patients had attended alcohol rehabilitation treatment at 90 days and 1 year. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that prednisolone reduces the risk of mortality at 28 days, but this benefit is not sustained beyond 28 days. PTX had no impact on survival. Future research should focus on interventions to promote abstinence and on treatments that suppress the hepatic inflammation without increasing susceptibility to infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered as EudraCT 2009-013897-42 and Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN88782125. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 102. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The NIHR Clinical Research Network provided research nurse support and the Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre also provided funding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Thursz
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ewan Forrest
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul Roderick
- Primary Care & Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher Day
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew Austin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Derby Royal Hospital, Derby, UK
| | - John O'Grady
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stephen Ryder
- Department of Hepatology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Allison
- Department of Hepatology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dermot Gleeson
- Department of Hepatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anne McCune
- Department of Hepatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK
| | - David Patch
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mark Wright
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Steven Masson
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul Richardson
- Department of Hepatology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Luke Vale
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jane Mellor
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Louise Stanton
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Megan Bowers
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Ratcliffe
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nichola Downs
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Scott Kirkman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tara Homer
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Laura Ternent
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Townsend SA, Rowe IA, Elsharkawy AM. Is pentoxifylline still an option in severe alcoholic hepatitis? Hepatology 2015; 62:1643-4. [PMID: 25773475 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Townsend
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A Rowe
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed M Elsharkawy
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Tijera FHDL, Servín-Caamaño AI, Serralde-Zúñiga AE, Cruz-Herrera J, Pérez-Torres E, Abdo-Francis JM, Salas-Gordillo F, Pérez-Hernández JL. Metadoxine improves the three- and six-month survival rates in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:4975-4985. [PMID: 25945012 PMCID: PMC4408471 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i16.4975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the impact of metadoxine (MTD) on the 3- and 6-mo survival of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH).
METHODS: This study was an open-label clinical trial, performed at the “Hospital General de México, Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”. We randomized 135 patients who met the criteria for severe AH into the following groups: 35 patients received prednisone (PDN) 40 mg/d, 35 patients received PDN+MTD 500 mg three times daily, 33 patients received pentoxifylline (PTX) 400 mg three times daily, and 32 patients received PTX+MTD 500 mg three times daily. The duration of the treatment for all of the groups was 30 d.
RESULTS: In the groups treated with the MTD, the survival rate was higher at 3 mo (PTX+MTD 59.4% vs PTX 33.3%, P = 0.04; PDN+MTD 68.6% vs PDN 20%, P = 0.0001) and at 6 mo (PTX+MTD 50% vs PTX 18.2%, P = 0.01; PDN+MTD 48.6% vs PDN 20%, P = 0.003) than in the groups not treated with MTD. A relapse in alcohol intake was the primary independent factor predicting mortality at 6 mo. The patients receiving MTD maintained greater abstinence than those who did not receive it (74.5% vs 59.4%, P = 0.02).
CONCLUSION: MTD improves the 3- and 6-mo survival rates in patients with severe AH. Alcohol abstinence is a key factor for survival in these patients. The patients who received the combination therapy with MTD were more likely to maintain abstinence than those who received monotherapy with either PDN or PTX.
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Thursz MR, Richardson P, Allison M, Austin A, Bowers M, Day CP, Downs N, Gleeson D, MacGilchrist A, Grant A, Hood S, Masson S, McCune A, Mellor J, O'Grady J, Patch D, Ratcliffe I, Roderick P, Stanton L, Vergis N, Wright M, Ryder S, Forrest EH. Prednisolone or pentoxifylline for alcoholic hepatitis. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:1619-28. [PMID: 25901427 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1412278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 499] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by jaundice and liver impairment that occurs in patients with a history of heavy and prolonged alcohol use. The short-term mortality among patients with severe disease exceeds 30%. Prednisolone and pentoxifylline are both recommended for the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis, but uncertainty about their benefit persists. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design to evaluate the effect of treatment with prednisolone or pentoxifylline. The primary end point was mortality at 28 days. Secondary end points included death or liver transplantation at 90 days and at 1 year. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis and severe disease were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a group that received a pentoxifylline-matched placebo and a prednisolone-matched placebo, a group that received prednisolone and a pentoxifylline-matched placebo, a group that received pentoxifylline and a prednisolone-matched placebo, or a group that received both prednisolone and pentoxifylline. RESULTS A total of 1103 patients underwent randomization, and data from 1053 were available for the primary end-point analysis. Mortality at 28 days was 17% (45 of 269 patients) in the placebo-placebo group, 14% (38 of 266 patients) in the prednisolone-placebo group, 19% (50 of 258 patients) in the pentoxifylline-placebo group, and 13% (35 of 260 patients) in the prednisolone-pentoxifylline group. The odds ratio for 28-day mortality with pentoxifylline was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.49; P=0.69), and that with prednisolone was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.01; P=0.06). At 90 days and at 1 year, there were no significant between-group differences. Serious infections occurred in 13% of the patients treated with prednisolone versus 7% of those who did not receive prednisolone (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Pentoxifylline did not improve survival in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Prednisolone was associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality that did not reach significance and with no improvement in outcomes at 90 days or 1 year. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment program; STOPAH EudraCT number, 2009-013897-42 , and Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN88782125 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Thursz
- From Imperial College (M.R.T., N.V.), King's College Hospital (J.O.), and the Royal Free Hospital (D.P.), London, Royal Liverpool Hospital (P. Richardson) and Aintree Hospital (S.H.), Liverpool, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge (M.A.), Derby Royal Hospital, Derby (A.A.), Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton (M.B., N.D., J.M., I.R., P. Roderick, L.S.), and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (M.W.), Southampton, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University (C.P.D.), and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (S.M.), Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sheffield (D.G.), Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh (A. MacGilchrist), Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester (A.G.), Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol (A. McCune), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (S.R.), and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow (E.H.F.) - all in the United Kingdom
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Hazeldine S, Hydes T, Sheron N. Alcoholic liver disease - the extent of the problem and what you can do about it. Clin Med (Lond) 2015; 15:179-85. [PMID: 25824072 PMCID: PMC4953739 DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.15-2-179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It takes upwards of ten years for alcohol-related liver disease to progress from fatty liver through fibrosis to cirrhosis to acute on chronic liver failure. This process is silent and symptom free and can easily be missed in primary care, usually presenting with advanced cirrhosis. At this late stage, management consists of expert supportive care, with prompt identification and treatment of bleeding, sepsis and renal problems, as well as support to change behaviour and stop harmful alcohol consumption. There are opportunities to improve care by bringing liver care everywhere up to the standards of the best liver units, as detailed in the Lancet Commission report. We also need a fundamental rethink of the technologies and approaches used in primary care to detect and intervene in liver disease at a much earlier stage. However, the most effective and cost-effective measure would be a proper evidence-based alcohol strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theresa Hydes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nick Sheron
- University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, and scientific advisor to the European Public Health Alliance, Brussels, Belgium, and RCP representative to the European Health and Alcohol Forum, Brussels, Belgium
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Khirfan K, Hanson J, Alcorn J. Portal hypertension in alcoholic liver disease: can it be fixed? Dig Dis Sci 2015; 60:838-40. [PMID: 25647760 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3562-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Khirfan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA,
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Kim W. [Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for severe alcoholic hepatitis]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2015; 65:4-11. [PMID: 25603848 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2015.65.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is defined as an acute hepatic manifestation resulting from heavy alcohol intake. Histologically, alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is characterized by hepatocellular steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Alcohol abstinence is the sine qua non of therapy for AH and, in the milder forms, is prerequisite to clinical recovery. Severe ASH may lead to multi-organ failure such as acute kidney injury and infection, which has a major impact on survival and thus should be closely monitored. Patients with severe ASH have a drastic short-term mortality of up to 40-50%. Specific therapies should be considered for patients with severe ASH at risk of early death. Corticosteroids are the standard of care for patients with severe ASH. When corticosteroids are contraindicated, pentoxifylline may be an alternative option. Steroid responsiveness should be evaluated on the basis of Lille score. Tactically, we should explore novel therapeutic targets to suppress inflammation based on cytokine profiles, promote hepatic regeneration, limit innate immune responses, and restore altered gut mucosal integrity in severe ASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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Kim W, Kim DJ. Severe alcoholic hepatitis-current concepts, diagnosis and treatment options. World J Hepatol 2014; 6:688-695. [PMID: 25349640 PMCID: PMC4209414 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i10.688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is an acute hepatic manifestation occurring from heavy alcohol ingestion. Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is histologically characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver. Despite the wide range of severity at presentation, those with severe ASH (Maddrey’s discriminant function ≥ 32) typically present with fever, jaundice, and abdominal tenderness. Alcohol abstinence is the cornerstone of therapy for AH and, in the milder forms, is sufficient for clinical recovery. Severe ASH may progress to multi-organ failure including acute kidney injury and infection. Thus, infection and renal failure have a major impact on survival and should be closely monitored in patients with severe ASH. Patients with severe ASH have a reported short-term mortality of up to 40%-50%. Severe ASH at risk of early death should be identified by one of the available prognostic scoring systems before considering specific therapies. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for severe ASH. When corticosteroids are contraindicated, pentoxifylline may be alternatively used. Responsiveness to steroids should be assessed at day 7 and stopping rules based on Lille score should come into action. Strategically, future studies for patients with severe ASH should focus on suppressing inflammation based on cytokine profiles, balancing hepatocellular death and regeneration, limiting activation of the innate immune response, and maintaining gut mucosal integrity.
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Suk KT, Kim MY, Baik SK. Alcoholic liver disease: Treatment. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:12934-12944. [PMID: 25278689 PMCID: PMC4177474 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The excess consumption of alcohol is associated with alcoholic liver diseases (ALD). ALD is a major healthcare problem, personal and social burden, and significant reason for economic loss worldwide. The ALD spectrum includes alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnosis of ALD is based on a combination of clinical features, including a history of significant alcohol intake, evidence of liver disease, and laboratory findings. Abstinence is the most important treatment for ALD and the treatment plan varies according to the stage of the disease. Various treatments including abstinence, nutritional therapy, pharmacological therapy, psychotherapy, and surgery are currently available. For severe alcoholic hepatitis, corticosteroid or pentoxifylline are recommended based on the guidelines. In addition, new therapeutic targets are being under investigation.
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Papastergiou V, Burroughs AK, Tsochatzis EA. Prognosis and treatment of patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 8:471-86. [PMID: 24716632 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2014.903800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is the most acute manifestation of alcohol-related liver disease, its treatment remains controversial. Corticosteroids, given either as monotherapy or together with N-acetylecysteine, have been associated with a moderate short-term survival benefit in patients with severe disease. The Maddrey's discriminant function; Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score; age, bilirubin, INR and creatinine score; and the Model for end-stage liver disease have been proposed for stratifying prognosis in AH enabling selection of the patients to treat. Definition of treatment non-responders using the Lille model after 7 days of therapy may prevent a detrimental impact of prolonged corticosteroids. Pentoxifylline is an effective alternative reducing the occurrence of hepatorenal syndrome. Emerging evidence supports use of liver transplantation in a strictly selected subset of corticosteroid non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilios Papastergiou
- The Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre and UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, UK
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