Psychological Distress is Prevalent and Interdependent Among Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis and Their Caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the interdependence of psychological distress among patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and their caregivers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we examined the interdependence of psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) among 127 patient-caregiver dyads using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling. RESULTS: Among dyads, 26% had both partners reporting clinically significant anxiety and 18% reporting clinically significant depression. Caregiver anxiety significantly predicted patient depression (ß=0.20, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress was prevalent and interdependent among dyads. These results underscore the need to develop interventions to reduce psychological distress in both patients with DC and their caregivers.

Financial burden following adult liver transplantation is common and associated with adverse recipient outcomes.

The financial impact of liver transplantation has been underexplored. We aimed to identify associations between high financial burden (≥10% annual income spent on out-of-pocket medical costs) and work productivity, financial distress (coping behaviors in response to the financial burden), and financial toxicity (health-related quality of life, HRQOL) among adult recipients of liver transplant. Between June 2021 and May 2022, we surveyed 207 adult recipients of liver transplant across 5 US transplant centers. Financial burden and distress were measured by 25 items adapted from national surveys of cancer survivors. Participants also completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment and EQ-5D-5L HRQOL questionnaires. In total, 23% of recipients reported high financial burden which was significantly associated with higher daily activity impairment (32.9% vs. 23.3%, p =0.048). In adjusted analyses, the high financial burden was significantly and independently associated with delayed or foregone medical care (adjusted odds ratio, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.85-8.42) and being unable to afford basic necessities (adjusted odds ratio, 5.12; 95% CI: 1.61-16.37). Recipients experiencing high financial burden had significantly lower self-reported HRQOL as measured by the EQ-5D-5L compared to recipients with low financial burden (67.8 vs. 76.1, p =0.008) and an age-matched and sex-matched US general population (67.8 vs. 79.1, p <0.001). In this multicenter cohort study, nearly 1 in 4 adult recipients of liver transplant experienced a high financial burden, which was significantly associated with delayed or foregone medical care and lower self-reported HRQOL. These findings underscore the need to evaluate and address the financial burden in this population before and after transplantation.

Prognosis of Transplant-Ineligible Patients with Cirrhosis and Acute Kidney Injury Who Initiate Renal Replacement Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Data to guide dialysis decision-making for transplant-ineligible patients with cirrhosis are lacking. AIMS: We aimed to describe the processes, predictors, and outcomes of renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation for transplant-ineligible patients with cirrhosis at a single liver transplantation center. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study of a retrospective cohort of 372 transplant-ineligible inpatients with cirrhosis with acute kidney injury (AKI) due to hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-AKI) or acute tubular necrosis (ATN) between 2008 and 2015. We performed survival analyses to evaluate 6-month survival and renal recovery and examined end-of-life care outcomes. We used a consensus-driven medical record review to characterize processes leading to RRT initiation. RESULTS: We identified 266 (71.5%) patients who received RRT and 106 (28.5%) who did not receive RRT (non-RRT). Median survival was 12.5 days (RRT) vs. 2.0 days (non-RRT) (HR 0.36, 95%CI 0.28-0.46); 6-month survival was 15% (RRT) vs. 0% (non-RRT). RRT patients were more likely to die in the intensive care unit (88% vs. 32%, p < 0.001). HRS-AKI patients were more likely to be RRT dependent at 6 months than ATN patients (86% vs. 27%, p = 0.007). The most common reasons for RRT initiation were unclear etiology of AKI on presentation (32%) and belief of likely reversibility of ATN (82%). CONCLUSION: Most transplant-ineligible patients who were initiated on RRT experienced very short-term mortality and received intensive end-of-life care. However, approximately 1 in 6 were alive at 6 months. Our findings underscore the critical need for structured clinical processes to support high-quality serious illness communication and RRT decision-making for this population.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Advance Care Planning Video Decision Tool for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Transplant-ineligible patients with advanced liver disease rarely receive timely advance care planning (ACP). Tools are needed to educate these patients about medical interventions available at the end of life to promote ACP. METHODS: This single-site pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an ACP video decision support tool for improving transplant-ineligible advanced liver disease patients' knowledge about and preferences for end-of-life care. Intervention participants watched a 5-minute video depicting 3 levels of goals of care: life-prolonging care (cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] and intubation), life-limiting care (hospitalization, no CPR/intubation), and comfort care. Control subjects received only a verbal narrative of these 3 levels of goals of care. The primary outcome was feasibility (≥60% enrollment rate). Secondary outcomes included acceptability of the video, patients' knowledge of end-of-life care options (6-item test; range, 0-6), and postintervention goals-of-care and CPR or intubation preferences. RESULTS: We enrolled 85% (n = 50 of 59) of eligible patients randomized to the video (n = 26) or verbal (n = 24) arm. In the video arm, 81% of patients reported being very comfortable watching the video. Patients in the video arm had higher mean knowledge scores (5.7 vs 4.8; P < .001) and were less likely to prefer to receive CPR compared with patients in the verbal arm (35% vs 63%; P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: An ACP video decision support tool to improve knowledge about and preferences for end-of-life care is both feasible and highly acceptable to transplant-ineligible patients with advanced liver disease with a high enrollment rate and promising preliminary efficacy. Future studies should examine the efficacy of the ACP video for enhancing the quality of their end-of-life care. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT03557086).

Burdensome Transitions of Care for Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease and Their Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) experience frequent readmissions; however, studies focused on patients' and caregivers' perceptions of their transitional care experiences to identify root causes of burdensome transitions of care are lacking. AIM: To explore the transitional care experiences of patients with ESLD and their caregivers in order to identify their supportive care needs. METHODS: We conducted interviews with 15 patients with ESLD and 14 informal caregivers. We used semi-structured interview guides to explore their experiences since the diagnosis of ESLD including their care transitions. Two raters coded interviews independently (κ = 0.95) using template analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported feeling unprepared to manage their informational, psychosocial, and practical care needs as they transitioned from hospital to home after the diagnosis of ESLD. Delay in the timely receipt of supportive care services addressing these care needs resulted in hospital readmissions, emotional distress, caregiver burnout, reduced work capacity, and financial hardship. Participants shared the following resources that they perceived would improve their quality of care: (1) discharge checklist, (2) online resources, (3) mental health support, (4) caregiver support and training, and (5) financial navigation. CONCLUSION: Transitional care models that attend to the informational, psychosocial, and practical domains of care are needed to better support patients with ESLD and their caregivers at the time of diagnosis and beyond. Without attending to the multidimensional care needs of newly diagnosed patients with ESLD and their caregivers, they are at risk of burdensome transitions of care, high healthcare utilization, and poor health-related quality of life.

Barriers to Use of Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Discussions for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite evidence for the benefits of palliative care (PC) referrals and early advance care planning (ACP) discussions for patients with chronic diseases, patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) often do not receive such care. We sought to examine physicians' perceptions of the barriers to PC and timely ACP discussions for patients with ESLD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hepatologists and gastroenterologists who provide care to adult patients with ESLD, recruited from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 membership registry. Using a questionnaire adapted from prior studies, we assessed physicians' perceptions of barriers to PC use and timely ACP discussions; 396 of 1236 eligible physicians (32%) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The most commonly cited barriers to PC use were cultural factors that affect perception of PC (by 95% of respondents), unrealistic expectations from patients about their prognosis (by 93% of respondents), and competing demands for clinicians' time (by 91% of respondents). Most respondents (81%) thought that ACP discussions with patients who have ESLD typically occur too late in the course of illness. The most commonly cited barriers to timely ACP discussions were insufficient communication between clinicians and families about goals of care (by 84% of respondents) and insufficient cultural competency training about end-of-life care (81%). CONCLUSION: There are substantial barriers to use of PC and timely discussions about ACP-most hepatologists and gastroenterologists believe that ACP occurs too late for patients with ESLD. Strategies are needed to overcome barriers and increase delivery of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care to patients with ESLD.

Physicians' Perspectives on Palliative Care for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease: A National Survey Study.

Specialty palliative care (PC) is underused for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). We sought to examine attitudes of hepatologists and gastroenterologists about PC for patients with ESLD. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of these specialists who provide care to patients with ESLD. Participants were recruited from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases membership directory. Using a questionnaire adapted from prior studies, we examined physicians' attitudes about PC and whether these attitudes varied based on patients' candidacy for liver transplantation. We identified predictors of physicians' attitudes about PC using linear regression. Approximately one-third of eligible physicians (396/1236, 32%) completed the survey. Most (95%) believed that centers providing care to patients with ESLD should have PC services, and 86% trusted PC clinicians to care for their patients. Only a minority reported collaborating frequently with inpatient (32%) or outpatient (11%) PC services. Most believed that when patients hear the term PC, they feel scared (94%) and anxious (87%). Most (83%) believed that patients would think nothing more could be done for their underlying disease if a PC referral was suggested. Physicians who believed that ESLD is a terminal condition (B = 1.09; P = 0.006) reported more positive attitudes about PC. Conversely, physicians with negative perceptions of PC for transplant candidates (B = -0.22; standard error = 0.05; P < 0.001) reported more negative attitudes toward PC. In conclusion, although most hepatologists and gastroenterologists believe that patients with ESLD should have access to PC, they reported rarely collaborating with PC teams and had substantial concerns about patients' perceptions of PC. Interventions are needed to overcome misperceptions of PC and to promote collaboration with PC clinicians for patients with ESLD.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System is a valid, reliable, and responsive tool to assess symptom burden in decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: While there is a growing need for interventions addressing symptom burden in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC), the lack of validated symptom assessment tools is a critical barrier. We investigated the psychometric properties of the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) in a longitudinal cohort of patients with DC. METHODS: Adult outpatients with DC were prospectively recruited from a liver transplant center and completed ESAS-r at baseline and week 12. We examined reliability, floor/ceiling effects, structural validity, and known-groups validity. We examined the convergent and predictive validity of ESAS-r with health-related quality of life using the Short Form Liver Disease Quality of Life (SF-LDQOL) and responsiveness to changes in anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 from baseline to week 12. RESULTS: From August 2018 to September 2022, 218 patients (9% Child-Pugh A, 59% Child-Pugh B, and 32% Child-Pugh C) were prospectively recruited and completed the ESAS-r, SF-LDQOL, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and week 12 (n = 135). ESAS-r had strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.86), structural validity (comparative fit index 0.95), known-groups validity (Child-Pugh A: 25.1 vs. B: 37.5 vs. C: 41.4, p = 0.006), and convergent validity (r = -0.67 with SF-LDQOL). Floor effects were 9% and ceiling effects were 0.5%. Changes in ESAS-r scores from baseline to week 12 significantly predicted changes in SF-LDQOL (ß = -0.36, p < 0.001), accounting for 30% of the variation. ESAS-r was strongly responsive to clinically meaningful changes in SF-LDQOL, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. CONCLUSIONS: ESAS-r is a reliable, valid, and responsive tool for assessing symptom burden in patients with DC and can predict changes in health-related quality of life. Future directions include its implementation as a key outcome measure in cirrhosis care and clinical trials.

Fecal microbiota transplant improves cognition in hepatic encephalopathy and its effect varies by donor and recipient.

Early data suggest fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) may treat hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Optimal FMT donor and recipient characteristics are unknown. We assessed the safety and efficacy of FMT in patients with prior overt HE, comparing five FMT donors. We performed an open-label study of FMT capsules, administered 5 times over 3 weeks. Primary outcomes were change in psychometric HE score (PHES) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Serial stool samples underwent shallow shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Ten patients completed FMT administration and 6-month follow-up. Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score did not change after FMT (14 versus 14, p = 0.51). Thirteen minor adverse events and three serious adverse events (two unrelated to FMT) were reported. One SAE was extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli bacteremia. The PHES improved after three doses of FMT (+2.1, p < 0.05), after five doses of FMT (+2.9, p = 0.007), and 4 weeks after the fifth dose of FMT (+3.1, p = 0.02). Mean change in the PHES ranged from -1 to +6 by donor. Two taxa were identified by random forest analysis and confirmed by linear regression to predict the PHES- Bifidobacterium adolescentis (adjusted R2 = 0.27) and B. angulatum (adjusted R2 = 0.25)-both short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers. Patients who responded to FMT had higher levels of Bifidobacterium as well as other known beneficial taxa at baseline and throughout the study. The FMT donor with poorest cognitive outcomes in recipients had the lowest fecal SCFA levels. Conclusion: FMT capsules improved cognition in HE, with an effect varying by donor and recipient factors (NCT03420482).

The Impact of Social Workers in Cirrhosis Care: a Systematic Review.

Purpose of review: To report social workers' involvement in supporting patients with cirrhosis. Recent findings: Six intervention studies (three published in the past 3 years) highlighed the potential role of social worker-led interventions to improve the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis. In studies of patients with alcohol-related liver disease (n = 4), social workers conducted psychosocial assessments, screened for substance use disorder and psychological distress, coordinated referrals to addiction services, and provided relapse prevention therapy. In studies including transplant recipients or candidates (n = 2), social workers focused on psychosocial interventions. In two studies (n = 1 patient with alcohol-related liver disease; n = 1 transplant recipients), social workers provided practical support (e.g., housing, transportation). Most articles provided limited information about the intervention and the role of the social worker, making comparisons of the studies difficult. Summary: More high-quality evidence is needed to formally assess the impact of social workers in improving the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11938-022-00381-2.

Prevalence of internal carotid artery stenosis in ambulatory patients presenting for non-emergent percutaneous coronary angiogram in a single Australian centre.

INTRODUCTION: Association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS) could prove clinically relevant. However, evidence defining this association is currently inconclusive. Our study investigates the prevalence of ICAS in non-emergent, ambulatory patients presenting for PCA with suspected CAD in an Australian context. METHODS: Between February 2019 and June 2019, 121 consecutive participants were verbally consented and enrolled in our study. The data were analysed retrospectively. PCA and CUS were performed within 24 h of each other. Multinomial logistic regression assessed independent predictors for ICAS, with statistical significance set at P value < 0.05. Linear regression analysis correlated CAD and ICAS severity, with significance of a P-value < 0.05. Analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 26 software (Chicago, Illinois). RESULTS: The final study included 121 patients (age 73 ± 9 years, 76.9% male). ICAS on CUS was present in 55.4% of participants for PCA. CAD was an independent risk factor for ICAS on multinomial logistic regression odds ratio 3.87 (P = 0.023). CAD severity (multi vessel disease) showed significant correlation with ICAS r = 0.22 (P = 0.014) using linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: CAD is an independent predictor of ICAS, and severity of ICAS is correlated with CAD disease. However, most participants had only minor ICAS (16-49% diameter stenosis). Our findings are consistent with internationally published studies, suggesting their data are generalisable to the Australian population. Larger studies are needed to address the applicability of CUS screening in patients with advanced CAD.

Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Palliative Care in End-Stage Liver Disease.

Background: Specialty palliative care (PC) is underutilized for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD); however, studies exploring patient and caregiver perceptions of PC are lacking. Objectives: To explore patient and caregiver knowledge, perceptions, and preferences about PC in ESLD management. Setting/Subjects: Individuals with ESLD and their informal caregivers were recruited from a large academic medical center in the United States. Design: We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 patients with ESLD and 14 informal caregivers. Purposive sampling was used to balance both transplant-listed and transplant-ineligible patients. We used a brief description of PC to explore participants' knowledge, perceptions, and preferences about PC. Two raters coded interviews independently (κ = 0.95) using template analysis. Results: Participants' knowledge about PC came primarily from their loved ones' experiences with PC, with many conflating PC with end-of-life care. Transplant-listed patients expressed concern that a PC referral would negatively impact their likelihood of receiving a liver transplant. After hearing a brief description of PC, nearly all participants believed that patients with ESLD should learn about PC soon after diagnosis to help support their illness understanding and coping. Conclusions: Study participants reported limited knowledge of PC and often perceived it as hospice care. After receiving education on PC, nearly all participants, regardless of transplant eligibility, advocated for early introduction of PC in ESLD care. Interventions are needed to educate patients with ESLD and their caregivers on the potential role of PC to overcome misperceptions of PC and allow earlier integration of PC into ESLD management.

Health Care Utilization and End-of-Life Care Outcomes for Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis Based on Transplant Candidacy.

CONTEXT: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have high rates of health care utilization at end of life (EOL). However, the impact of transplant candidacy on intensity of EOL care is currently unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between transplant candidacy and intensity of EOL care in the last year of life in an ambulatory cohort of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 230 patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were evaluated for liver transplantation in a large health care system between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2017 and died by 6/20/2018. We compared health care utilization in the last year of life and EOL care outcomes between transplant-listed (n = 133) and nonlisted (n = 97) patients. We examined predictors of palliative and hospice care utilization using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: During the last year of life, patients had a median of three hospitalizations (IQR 2-5) and spent a median of 31 days (IQR 16-49) in the hospital. In all, 80% of patients died in the hospital, with 70% dying in the intensive care unit. The majority (70.0%) received a life-sustaining procedure (mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation) during their terminal hospitalization, which did not differ between transplant-listed and nonlisted patients (74.4% vs. 63.9%, P = 0.09). Transplant-listed patients had lower odds of receiving specialty palliative care (odds ratio 0.43, P = 0.005). Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had higher odds of receiving hospice care (odds ratio 2.03, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis had intensive health care utilization during their last year of life regardless of transplant candidacy. Further work is needed to optimize their EOL care, particularly for patients who are ineligible for transplantation.