Changing trends in the etiology of liver transplantation in Turkiye: A multicenter study

Background and Aim

This study aimed to identify the indications for liver transplantation (LT) based on underlying etiology and to characterize the patients who underwent LT.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional observational study across 11 tertiary centers in Turkiye from 2010 to 2020. The study included 5,080 adult patients.

Results

The mean age of patients was 50.3±15.2 years, with a predominance of female patients (70%). Chronic viral hepatitis (46%) was the leading etiological factor, with Hepatitis B virus infection at 35%, followed by cryptogenic cirrhosis (24%), Hepatitis C virus infection (8%), and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) (6%). Post-2015, there was a significant increase in both the number of liver transplants and the proportion of living donor liver transplants (p<0.001). A comparative analysis of patient characteristics before and after 2015 showed a significant decline in viral hepatitis-related LT (p<0.001), whereas fatty liver disease-related LT significantly increased (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Chronic viral hepatitis continues to be the primary indication for LT in Turkiye. However, the proportions of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and ALD-related LT have seen an upward trend over the years.

Non-invasive fibrosis markers for assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis delta

Assessment of liver fibrosis by non-invasive means is clinically important. Studies in chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) are scarce. We evaluated the performance of eight serum fibrosis markers [fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), age-platelet index (API), AST-to platelet-ratio-index (APRI), Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), Lok index, cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS) and Hui score] in CHD and chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Liver stiffness was assessed by transient elastography (TE) in CHD. The ability of fibrosis markers to detect significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were evaluated in 202 CHB and 108 CHD patients using published and new cut-offs through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The latter was also applied to obtain cut-offs for TE. APRI, Fib-4, API and Hui score were assessed for significant fibrosis, and APRI, GUCI, Lok index, CDS and AAR for cirrhosis determination. Fibrosis markers displayed weak performance in CHB for significant fibrosis with area under ROC (AUROC) curves between 0.62 and 0.71. They did slightly better for CHD. TE displayed an AUROC of 0.92 and performed better than serum fibrosis markers (p < 0.05 for fibrosis markers). For cirrhosis determination, CDS and Lok Index displayed an AUROC of 088 and 0.89 in CHB and GUCI, Lok index and APRI displayed AUROCs around 0.90 in CHD. TE displayed the best AUROC (0.95). Hence TE is superior to serum fibrosis markers for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. GUCI, Lok index and APRI displayed a reasonable performance in CHD, which needs further confirmation.

The assessment of patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease by using the Bravo® pH monitoring system

Background and aim: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease in the world. GERD is always treated with drugs. The Bravo® wireless pH monitoring system is a good technique. The Bravo® may affect increasing the specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of GERD with its 48-hour recording feature. In this study, we aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of the Bravo® pH monitoring system in patients with non-erosive GERD. Materials and Methods: Patients with non-erosive reflux disease (normal endoscopy) whose symptoms persisted after PPI treatment (at least two months) were included in the study. All patients had upper gastrointestinal system endoscopies performed in our clinic between January 2013 and December 2019. All patients had a 48-hour Bravo® wireless pH monitoring record. Results: Twenty-three patients (M: 18 (78.3%; Age: 35.7 ± 11) were included in the study. All patients completed the 2-day recording protocol. During and after the procedure, no patient showed any adverse effects of the Bravo® procedure. We diagnosed GERD in 13 of 23 patients by Bravo® capsule. According to the Bravo® pH-meter recordings; Total time pH < 4 (minute) was 187 ± 190, the total number of refluxes was 90 ± 61, the percentage of time with pH < 4 was 7.1 ± 7.22, the number of long reflux events were 8.1 ± 8, the duration of the longest reflux episode during pH < 4 (minute) was 31 ± 49, the Demeester score was 20.8 ± 19.3 detected. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, the Bravo® pH monitoring system is a practical and effective diagnostic technique for non-erosive GERD. Further prospective studies would be useful for comparing the differences between 24-hour and 48-hour pH recording results.

Recommendations for Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin and Antiviral Prophylaxis Against Hepatitis B Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

The combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation is considered as the standard of care for prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence. However, the recommended doses, route of administration, and duration of HBIG administration remain unclear. Moreover, hepatitis B immunoglobulin-free prophylaxis with potent nucleos(t)ide analogs has shown promising disease outcomes in preventing hepatitis B virus recurrence. The current recommendations, produced by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver, Acute Liver Failure and Liver Transplantation Special Interest Group, suggest a reduced need for hepatitis B immunoglobulin administration with effective long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus replication using potent nucleos(t) ide analogs after liver transplantation.

Histopathological evaluation of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment in patients with hepatitis be antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus is a universal health problem. There are approximately 250 million people living with hepatitis B worldwide, and approximately 600000 of these people die every year due to the virus.

AIM

To compare the pretreatment and post-treatment histopathological results of patients with hepatitis be antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who had been receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment at our clinic for at least 5 years.

METHODS

Patients with HBeAg-negative CHB who were being treated with TDF (245 mg/d) were included in the study. Liver biopsies of patients before TDF treatment and liver biopsies after 5 years of TDF treatment were retrospectively compared.

RESULTS

A total of 50 HBeAg-negative CHB patients were included in the study (mean age: 47.9 ± 10.4 years, men: 27.54%). Histological improvement was observed in 78% (39) of the patients after 5 years of treatment. After the 5 years of treatment, the mean Ishak score of the patients was 1.3 ± 1.3, and the mean histologic activity index score was 4.1 ± 2.8. A 1.53 point reduction in Ishak fibrosis score was detected after long-term TDF treatment.

CONCLUSION

Liver biopsies after 5 years of TDF treatment revealed a significant histological response and a regression of the necroinflammatory score compared to pretreatment liver biopsies. To better understand the effects of antiviral treatments on the improvement of liver histology, long-term studies involving larger numbers of patients are needed.

Adult living donor liver transplantation from donors with Gilbert's syndrome: Is it safe?

BACKGROUNDS

We evaluate whether it is safe to accept donors with Gilbert's syndrome (GS) for a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) or not. This study is the first controlled study to be conducted.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and May 2014, 600 LDLTs which used right lobe liver grafts were performed in our center. Forty-five of the 600 donors had a GS diagnosis. For a control group, 99 donors without GS who had completed 1 year or more of follow-up were selected retrospectively and consecutively. The clinical results of the donors and recipients were then analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 45 donors with GS and 99 donors without GS were included. There were no significant differences in patient demographics, actual graft weight, remnant ratio, portal and ductal variations, pre-peri-post-operative liver enzymes. The donors with GS had significantly higher bilirubin levels compared with the control group at first reading, at maximal peak, and post-operative 1-7 days, 1st and 6th months (P < .001 for all readings). Post-operative complication ratio was 40% in GS, 34.3% in non-GS group. In GS and non-GS group, hospitalization period was 10.2 and 9.2 days, respectively. The 1-year donor survival rate was 100% for both groups and 1-year recipient survival was similar who have donors with GS and non-GS (93.3%; 92.9%, P = .93).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of right lobe grafts from donors with GS appears to be safe for donor health.

Varicella-Zoster Virus-Induced Hepatitis in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Infections after solid organ transplantation are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection after solid organ transplantation is rare. Here we present a case presenting with acute hepatitis and shingles after a liver transplantation (LT). A 36-year-old male patient underwent a liver transplantation; 7 months later his liver function tests increased. An examination and test results revealed that he had VZV-induced hepatitis. After VZV treatment, his test results returned to normal levels. Hepatic involvement of VZV infection is rare, but it may be fatal in immunocompromised individuals. Early diagnosis and early initiation of antiviral therapy is important in the control of hepatitis and rare hepatotropic viruses in immunocompromised individuals.

Red cell distribution width and platelet indices as predictors in determining the prognosis of upper gastrointestinal system bleeding

Background and Aim: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is one of the most common medical emergencies. Early detection of at-risk patients is beneficial with respect to treatment and prognosis. We investigated whether severity of ulcers were associated with red blood cell distribution width (RDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Materials and Methods: All patients presenting to the emergency department with AUGIB between January 2014 and December 2017 were included in the study. Endoscopy reports, complete blood counts, patient demographic characteristics, and endoscopy results were obtained retrospectively from hospital records. Patients with grade I or grade II ulcers (based on the Forrest classification) were compared in regard to these parameters. Results: In total, 373 male and 211 female patients with a mean age ± SD of 66.36 ± 17.36 were included in this study. Ulcers were detected in 396 of 584 patients (67.8%). There were no differences with respect to RDW or platelet indices between groups. Conclusions: Patients presenting with AUGIB should receive rapid diagnosis and treatment. In this study of patients with AUGIB grouped by bleeding aetiology, probable early prognostic parameters were not associated with bleeding severity among patients diagnosed with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Liver Transplantation for Polycystic Liver Disease Due to Huge Liver With Related Complications: A Case Report

Polycystic liver disease is characterized by multiple cystic lesions on the liver. It is an uncommon autosomal dominant disease. The cysts' diameters range from 20 to 30 cm to small microscopic nodules. Generally, more than half of the liver parenchyma is covered. The mass effect of the liver created by the large cysts can cause life-threatening symptoms such as weight loss, reduction of oral intake, and malnutrition. Liver transplantation is the best treatment option in symptomatic patients. We present a patient who had polycystic liver and kidney disease, and we performed liver transplantation because of his life-threatening symptoms.

Sleep disorders in cirrhotics; how can we detect ?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Sleep disorders (SDs) are common in cirrhotics and are often associated with hepatic encephalopathy. SDs negatively affect patients' daily activities and work efficiency. For this reason, early diagnosis is important. The methods used for diagnosis of SDs are not practical and need longer periods of application and evaluation. In this study, we aimed to investigate sleep disorders and related clinical parameters in cirrhosis and also wanted to investigate the using of Sleep Timing and Sleep Quality Screening questionnaire (STSQS), a simple form with a short application time, for diagnosis of SDs and its correlation with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) form.

METHODS

Cirrhotic patients and age-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. Patients were excluded from this study if they had neuropsychiatric disease or used excessive alcohol or drugs known to affect sleep. Both groups completed validated Turkish form of PSQI and STSQS. SD was defined as PSQI score (0-21) of >5 or STSQS ≥5.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-one cirrhotic patients and 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled. SDs in cirrhotics and control group were detected 56.5% and 27.8% by PSQI, 49.6% and 16.7% by STSQS respectively. SDs are the most frequent in the Child C patients, and the least frequent in the Child A patients (P > 0.05). No correlation was found between the MELD score and SDs. SDs were more common in cirrhotic patients with hypoalbuminaemia and low haemoglobin levels. In addition, the patients with decompensated cirrhosis had more frequently SDs than the patients with compensated cirrhosis. In the patient group, sleep latency and total sleep time, sleep parameters were correlated with SDs. STSQS had statistical significant correlation with PSQI for diagnosis of SDs.

CONCLUSION

SDs are common in cirrhotics and STSQS could be an appropriate and practical method for diagnosis of SDS in these patients. We can use it in cirrhotic patients at outpatient clinics.