Role of Spleen Stiffness Measurement in the Evaluation of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) correlates with the severity of portal hypertension. AIMS: We investigated the utility of SSM in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) for detecting cirrhosis, esophageal varices (EV), and high-risk EV. METHODS: 154 study participants with MASLD underwent simultaneous liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and SSM. 96 (62%) participants had an upper endoscopy (73 participants, i.e., 47% undergoing within a year). The diagnostic performance of SSM, as well as the BAVENO VII proposed SSM cutoffs (≥ 21 kPa, > 40 kPa, and > 50 kPa), was examined. RESULTS: The failure rate for SSM was 19% compared to 5% for LSM. An invalid SSM was statistically significantly associated with a higher body mass index, a larger waist circumference, and a lower fibrosis stage. The area under the receiver operating characteristics for SSM to diagnose cirrhosis, EV, and high-risk EV was 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.85), 0.74 (95% CI 0.61-0.84), and 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.98), respectively. SSM ≥ 21 kPa cutoff had a sensitivity > 96% for all three outcomes, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88% for cirrhosis. In contrast, SSM > 40 kPa and SSM > 50 kPa cutoffs had better diagnostic abilities for identifying EV, particularly high-risk EV (sensitivity of 100% and 93% with NPV of 100% and 96%, respectively). CONCLUSION: SSM has a higher failure rate in individuals who are non-cirrhotic or have a higher BMI, or larger waist circumference. Although useful for diagnosing NASH cirrhosis, SSM is most reliable in excluding EV and high-risk EV.

Prevalence of High-risk Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) in the United States: Results From NHANES 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The population prevalence of high-risk non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), defined as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥4 and fibrosis stage ≥2, is unknown. The FibroScan-AST (FAST) score, calculated using liver stiffness measurement and controlled attenuation parameter values from FibroScan and aspartate aminotransferase levels, is a validated algorithm to identify individuals with high-risk NASH. We estimated the prevalence of high-risk NASH using the FAST score in the United States population. METHODS: Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2017-2018, which included a total of 4218 adults with valid elastography measurements. FAST scores of ≥0.35 (sensitivity, 90%) and ≥0.67 (specificity, 90%) were used to identify adults with high-risk NASH in the general population. RESULTS: At 90% sensitivity for the FAST score, the prevalence of age-adjusted high-risk NASH was 5.8% and was higher among men (8.2% vs 3.6% in women) and in Hispanics (9.2% vs. 5.8% non-Hispanic (N.H.) Asians, 5.2% in N.H. whites, and 3.8% in N.H. blacks). The prevalence of high-risk NASH was 11.7% in those with metabolic syndrome and 22.5% in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). At 90% specificity for the FAST score, the prevalence of age-adjusted high-risk NASH was 1.2% and was higher among men (1.7% vs 0.8% in women) and in Hispanics (2.2% vs 1.0% in N.H. Asians, 0.9% in N.H. whites, and 0.4% in N.H. blacks). The prevalence of high-risk NASH was 3.4% in those with metabolic syndrome and 8.7% in adults with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: We estimate at least 2 million adults have high-risk NASH in the United States. Moreover, the prevalence of high-risk NASH among individuals with T2DM is higher, ranging between 8.7% and 22.5%, supporting the case for coordinated case-finding and management.

Probiotics Properties: A Focus on Pregnancy Outcomes.

A healthy microbiome plays an important role in the prevention of illness and maintenance of overall health, including reproductive health. Although the therapeutic advantages of probiotics have been shown to run across multiple organ systems, their role in pregnancy is not well explored. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential advantages and adverse effects of probiotics in pregnancy. Data were collected from the literature over the past decade using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus, and Science Direct. A total of 40 articles were utilized in this review. Collected data indicated that prenatal and post-natal supplementation with lactobacilli alone or lactobacilli with Bifidobacterium spp. seems to be protective. Probiotics may improve insulin resistance and consequently reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Probiotics may also reduce anxiety and depression by influencing brain activity. Additionally, they interfere with vaginal flora to make it friendlier to beneficial bacteria, and enhance anti-inflammatory or reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. They may also decrease eczema in breastfed infants and prevent allergic reactions by downregulating Th2 responses to specific allergens from mid to late gestation. Leveraging the cervicovaginal microbiota could promote a number of positive pregnancy-related health outcomes. Caution should be exercised in the selection, dosing, and monitoring of probiotics administration. More comprehensive randomized clinical trials are needed to reach a more meaningful evidence-based clinical knowledge.

A Primer to the Diagnostic and Clinical Utility of Spleen Stiffness Measurement in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

Content available: Author Audio Recording.

Attendance at a Transitional Liver Clinic May Be Associated with Reduced Readmissions for Patients with Liver Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with liver disease have high rates of early hospital readmission, but there are no studies of effective, scalable interventions to reduce this risk. In this study, we examined the impact of a Physician Assistant (PA)-led post-discharge Transitional Liver Clinic (TLC) on hospital readmissions. METHODS: We performed a cohort study of all adults seen by a hepatologist during admission to a tertiary care center in 2019 (excluding transplant patients). We compared those who attended the TLC with those who did not, with respect to 30-day readmission and mortality. Propensity score-adjusted modeling was used to control for confounding. RESULTS: Of 498 patients, 98 were seen in the TLC; 35% had alcoholic liver disease and 58% had cirrhosis. Attendees were similar to non-attendees with respect to demographics, liver disease characteristics and severity, comorbidities, and discharge disposition. Thirty-day cumulative incidence of readmissions was 12% in TLC attendees, compared with 22% in non-attendees (P = .02), while 30-day mortality was similar (2.0% vs 4.3%; P = .29). In a model using propensity score adjustment, TLC attendance remained associated with reduced readmissions (subhazard ratio 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.997; P = .049). The effect of TLC was greater in women compared with men (P = .07) and in those without chronic kidney disease (P = .02), but there were no differences across other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with liver disease seen in a PA-led TLC may have a significant reduction in the 30-day readmission rate. Randomized trials are needed to establish the efficacy of PA-led post-discharge transitional care for this population.

High-quality diet, physical activity, and college education are associated with low risk of NAFLD among the US population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effects of diet quality (DQ), physical activity (PA), and socioeconomic status (SES) on the risk of NAFLD are unclear. We examined the association among DQ, PA, SES, and NAFLD risk. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2017-2018, which included 3589 participants with reliable information on vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) measurements, 24-h dietary recalls, PA, and SES. DQ was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015. PA was determined by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. SES was assessed by the educational attainment and family poverty income ratio (PIR). Risk of NAFLD was considered by means of a composite outcome using VCTE measurements: non-NAFLD versus NAFLD without clinically significant fibrosis (CSF) versus NAFLD with CSF. The NAFLD risk was lower in physically active (≥600 metabolic equivalent of task [MET] min/week) versus inactive participants (<600 MET min/week) (OR: 0.71, p = 0.043). A high-quality diet (HQD) (HEI > 56.64) was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD (OR: 0.58, p < 0.01) compared with a non-HQD. The lowest NAFLD risk was observed in those physically active with HQD (OR: 0.43, p < 0.01). Body mass index and waist circumference significantly mediated the effect of DQ and PA on NAFLD risk. Education (college or above) (OR: 0.65, p = 0.034), but not PIR, was associated with a reduced NAFLD risk. HQD and increased PA partially mediated the effect of education on NAFLD risk. The total effect of education on NAFLD risk mediated by DQ was 29% and by PA was 8%. CONCLUSIONS: HQD, increased physical activity, and college education were associated with lower NAFLD risk in the US population.

Impact of Sleep on Medical Residents' Emotions: A Cross-Sectional Study Using a Wearable Device.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Controlling negative emotions and getting sufficient sleep are key factors in reducing medical errors and optimizing quality of care. The objective of this study was to measure the relationship between the emotions of medical residents and sleep as measured by a wearable device. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study addressing all residents of all postgraduation years and specialties at an Accreditation for Graduate Medical Educations-I accredited institution over 6 months. Sleep quantity and quality were measured by Fitbit Charge 2 device, and daily emotions by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule questionnaire. RESULTS: We included a total of 45 participants with a total of 1,112 observations (response rate=19.3%). The mean duration of total daily sleep was 5.9±1.6 hours, with a deep sleep time of 1.1±0.4 hours. We found a negative association between negative emotions and total sleep (rrm=-0.14, P<.0001) and deep sleep (rrm=-0.11, P=.0005) using repetitive measures correlation. A linear regression model to predict the negative emotions of the residents revealed additional determinants beyond deep sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a further understanding of the importance of sleep quality on emotions by emphasizing deep sleep as a predictor of the second-day affect. Residency programs should strive to provide an ideal sleep environment to their residents and deliver workshops to deal with negative emotions.