Predictors of Significant Histological Hepatic Abnormality in Treatment-Naive Patients Infected with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictors for significant hepatic abnormality (SHA), a treatment indication, by assessing demographic, laboratory, and radiological results of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who underwent liver biopsy. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, individuals with untreated hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB infection were enrolled. Multivariate analysis modeling was conducted with parameters identified as predictors for SHA in univariate analysis. Optimal threshold levels for variables to predict SHA in patients with chronic hepatitis B were determined based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: A total of 566 patients with untreated chronic hepatitis B were included in the cohort; 61% (345/566) were male, and the median age was 41 years (interquartile range [IQR]=34-50). Notably, 36.9% (209/566) had SHA. In the multivariate analysis, utilizing different models, age, gender, HBV-DNA, LDL, ALT, and platelet count were identified as the most reliable predictors for SHA in CHB patients. For predicting SHA, the area under the ROC curve values of HBV-DNA, AST, and ALT were 0.704 (sensitivity=62.8%, specificity=76.2%; p<0.0001), 0.747 (sensitivity=51.9%, specificity=88.9%; p<0.0001), and 0.737 (sensitivity=68.6%, specificity=68.4%; p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusion: In our study, age, male gender, ALT, AST, HBV-DNA, LDL cholesterol, platelet count, and FIB-4 score were independent predictors of SHA in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. The most sensitive parameters for SHA were LDL and ALT. The most specific parameters were age, AST, and APRI score. SHA may occur in patients with high HBV-DNA levels, even if ALT values are normal in HBeAg-negative patients.

Independent predictors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. We aimed to determine the predictors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B virus infection. METHODS: All consecutive treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection at the Haseki Training and Research Hospital between October 1, 2021, and September 31, 2022, were retrospectively enrolled. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is defined by positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen for 6 months or more. Patients with significant alcohol consumption, prolonged steatogenic drug use, malignancy, monogenic hereditary disorders, patients co-infected with hepatitis D virus, hepatitis C virus infection, or human immunodeficiency virus were excluded. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric determinants, laboratory findings, and virological parameters were retrospectively collected from patients' charts and electronic medical records. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B virus infection were included in the study. The three multivariate regression models revealed that age (p<0.028), body mass index (p=0.046), diabetes mellitus (p=0.030), hemoglobin (p=0.008), platelet (p=0.012), and triglyceride (p=0.002) in Model 1; body mass index (p=0.033), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), hemoglobin (p=0.008), platelet (p=0.004), LDL (p=0.023), and HDL (p=0.020) in Model 2; and age (p<0.001), body mass index (p=0.033), hemoglobin (p=0.004), platelet (p=0.004), and HDL (p=0.007) in Model 3 were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was observed in about one-third of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and was positively associated with older age, higher body mass index, presence of comorbid conditions including diabetes mellitus, increased levels of metabolic laboratory parameters, especially serum triglyceride and LDL, and decreased HDL.

Use of high-dose steroid therapy: addition of anakinra in the treatment of severe COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effects of the addition of anakinra to high-dose steroid therapy in COVID-19 patients with macrophage activation syndrome. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study conducted in Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital between March 11, 2020, and April 28, 2021. Patients receiving only high-dose steroid or anakinra+steroid were enrolled. The first day of anakinra was considered as day 0. Laboratory values and oxygen requirements were followed up for 7 days. Patients were divided into two groups: 66 patients in the high-dose steroid group and 67 patients in the anakinra+steroid group. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. RESULTS: After treatment, a significant decrease in ferritin levels was detected only in the anakinra+steroid group (p=0.001). In both groups, there were significant changes in lymphocytes, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and fibrinogen levels during the 7-day follow-up. Changes in oxygen status according to the World Health Organization clinical scale on day 3 and day 7 between high-dose steroid and anakinra+steroid groups were similar (p=0.976). Complications were higher in the anakinra+steroid group than in the steroid group (26% vs. 12%, p=0.03). The rates of 28-day mortality were 57% in the anakinra+steroid group and 42% in the high-dose steroid group (p=0.48). In multivariate regression, anakinra did not affect 28-day mortality (p=0.67). CONCLUSION: The addition of anakinra to steroid treatment resulted in a significant decrease in biochemical parameters. However, no significant difference was observed in the oxygen status between the groups. The addition of anakinra to steroid treatment did not decrease mortality. Clinicians should be aware of the complications of anti-inflammatory therapies.

Independent predictors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. We aimed to determine the predictors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B virus infection. METHODS: All consecutive treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection at the Haseki Training and Research Hospital between October 1, 2021, and September 31, 2022, were retrospectively enrolled. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is defined by positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen for 6 months or more. Patients with significant alcohol consumption, prolonged steatogenic drug use, malignancy, monogenic hereditary disorders, patients co-infected with hepatitis D virus, hepatitis C virus infection, or human immunodeficiency virus were excluded. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric determinants, laboratory findings, and virological parameters were retrospectively collected from patients' charts and electronic medical records. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B virus infection were included in the study. The three multivariate regression models revealed that age (p<0.028), body mass index (p=0.046), diabetes mellitus (p=0.030), hemoglobin (p=0.008), platelet (p=0.012), and triglyceride (p=0.002) in Model 1; body mass index (p=0.033), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), hemoglobin (p=0.008), platelet (p=0.004), LDL (p=0.023), and HDL (p=0.020) in Model 2; and age (p<0.001), body mass index (p=0.033), hemoglobin (p=0.004), platelet (p=0.004), and HDL (p=0.007) in Model 3 were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was observed in about one-third of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and was positively associated with older age, higher body mass index, presence of comorbid conditions including diabetes mellitus, increased levels of metabolic laboratory parameters, especially serum triglyceride and LDL, and decreased HDL.

Determination of associated factors with death in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-center, retrospective study

The effect of COVID-19 on the outcomes of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is still unknown. Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine associated factors for mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteremia and to explore the impact of prior COVID-19. Design and setting: In this retrospective and single-center study, all adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with S. aureus bacteremia between March 2020 and February 2022 were included. Methods: The outcomes of our study were 14-day and 28-day hospital mortality after the first positive blood culture was obtained. Univariate and Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 140 patients with S. aureus bacteremia were included in the study. The median age was 64.5 (48.5-76) and 82 (58.5%) of the patients were male. 14-day and 28-day mortality rates were 28.6% and 37.1% respectively. Among patients with S. aureus bacteremia and previous COVID-19 history, 14-day and 28-day mortality rates were 33.9% (n = 21) and 41.9% (n = 26), respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that Pitt bacteremia score, AST, urea, and previous antibiotic use were associated factors for 14-day mortality and 28-day mortality due to S. aureus bacteremia. Conclusions: This study justified the remarkable fatality of S. aureus bacteremia during the COVID-19 pandemic period and revealed that a high Pitt bacteremia score, increased levels of AST and urea, and previous antibiotic exposure were associated factors for mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteremia.

El efecto de COVID-19 en los resultados de pacientes con bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus todavía es desconocido. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes con bacteriemia por S. aureus y explorar el impacto del COVID-19 previo. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de un solo centro, que incluyó a todos los pacientes adultos (≥ 18 años) con bacteriemia por S. aureus entre marzo de 2020 y febrero de 2022. Estudiamos la mortalidad hospitalaria a los 14 y 28 días después de obtener el primer cultivo sanguíneo positivo, utilizando análisis univariados y de regresión de Cox. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 140 pacientes con bacteriemia por S. aureus en el estudio. La mediana de edad fue de 64,5 (48,5-76) años y 82 (58,5%) de los pacientes eran hombres. Las tasas de mortalidad a los 14 y 28 días fueron del 28,6% y 37,1%, respectivamente. Entre los pacientes con bacteriemia por S. aureus y antecedentes previos de COVID-19, las tasas de mortalidad a los 14 y 28 días fueron del 33,9% (n = 21) y 41,9% (n = 26), respectivamente. El análisis de regresión de Cox reveló que el puntaje de bacteriemia de Pitt, AST, urea y el uso previo de antibióticos fueron factores asociados con la mortalidad a los 14 y 28 días debido a la bacteriemia por S. aureus. Conclusiones: Este estudio justificó la notable letalidad de la bacteriemia por S. aureus durante el período de pandemia de COVID-19 y reveló que un puntaje de bacteriemia de Pitt elevado, niveles aumentados de AST y urea, y la exposición previa a antibióticos fueron factores asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes con bacteriemia por S. aureus.

Long-term effects of COVID-19 on lungs and the clinical relevance: a 6-month prospective cohort study.

Background: We aimed to explore the prevalence of prolonged symptoms, pulmonary impairments and residual disease on chest tomography (CT) in COVID-19 patients at 6 months after acute illness. Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, hospitalized patients with radiologically and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included. Results: A high proportion of the 116 patients reported persistent symptoms (n = 54; 46.6%). On follow-up CT, 33 patients (28.4%) demonstrated residual disease. Multivariate analyses revealed that only neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was an independent predictor for residual disease. Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 still had persistent symptoms and were prone to develop long-term pulmonary sequelae on chest CT. However, it did not have a significant effect on long-term pulmonary functions.

Determination of associated factors with death in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-center, retrospective study.

The effect of COVID-19 on the outcomes of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is still unknown. AIM: In this study, we aimed to determine associated factors for mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteremia and to explore the impact of prior COVID-19. DESIGN AND SETTING: In this retrospective and single-center study, all adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with S. aureus bacteremia between March 2020 and February 2022 were included. METHODS: The outcomes of our study were 14-day and 28-day hospital mortality after the first positive blood culture was obtained. Univariate and Cox regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients with S. aureus bacteremia were included in the study. The median age was 64.5 (48.5-76) and 82 (58.5%) of the patients were male. 14-day and 28-day mortality rates were 28.6% and 37.1% respectively. Among patients with S. aureus bacteremia and previous COVID-19 history, 14-day and 28-day mortality rates were 33.9% (n = 21) and 41.9% (n = 26), respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that Pitt bacteremia score, AST, urea, and previous antibiotic use were associated factors for 14-day mortality and 28-day mortality due to S. aureus bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: This study justified the remarkable fatality of S. aureus bacteremia during the COVID-19 pandemic period and revealed that a high Pitt bacteremia score, increased levels of AST and urea, and previous antibiotic exposure were associated factors for mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteremia.