Autochthonous acute hepatitis E: an increasingly frequent diagnosis. Clinical-epidemiological analysis of our experience.

BACKGROUND: In Europe, acute hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) traditionally was an infection found in people who had travelled to endemic zones, mainly Asia and Africa. However, a growing number of sporadic autochthonous cases are now being diagnosed in the Western world. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed in our setting, with the identification of the clinical-epidemiological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed (positive anti-HEV IgM and/or HEV RNA present in serum) between January 2008 and December 2014. Different clinical, epidemiological and evolutive parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were identified, all originating from Spain. Fourteen cases (60.87%) presented jaundice and marked cytolysis at the time of diagnosis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] 1,106.91 U/l and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 1,407.04 U/l). Twenty-two cases were regarded as autochthonous, and one patient had travelled to China three months before. The mean time to resolution was 11.2 weeks. Some autoimmune markers were positive in 43.5% of the patients. Two subjects were diagnosed with previous chronic liver disease and were classified as "acute-on-chronic liver failure" (ACLF), one died and the other underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: Acute HEV hepatitis in our setting is an autochthonous condition that is probably underdiagnosed, manifesting with jaundice and cytolysis. Autoimmune marker positivity is an epiphenomenon, which in some cases complicates the diagnosis.

[Vitamin D deficiency in chronic liver disease, clinical-epidemiological analysis and report after vitamin d supplementation]. / Déficit de vitamina D en la enfermedad hepática crónica, análisis clínico epidemiológico y tras aporte vitamínico.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D (VD) is known to have multiple extra-skeletal health functions. There is emerging interest in exploring the relationship between vitamin D and chronic liver disease (CLD). OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of VD deficiency in patients with CLD in our setting and to assess whether VD supplementation influences plasma levels and is associated with improved liver function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a study in 2 phases. First, we analysed clinical and epidemiological characteristics in 94 patients with CLD; second, different doses of calcifediol (25-OH-VD) were administered to patients with VD deficiency (<20ng/mL) and insufficiency (20-30ng/mL). Plasma concentrations and liver function (Child-Pugh and MELD) at the end of treatment were compared with baseline data. RESULTS: Deficient or insufficient VD levels were found in 87% of the patients, with an average concentration of 18.8ng/mL. Levels were lower in patients with cirrhosis (15.9ng/mL) (P=.002) and in alcoholic liver disease. VD levels were inversely proportional to the degree of liver function: Child A (16.52ng/mL) vs C (7.75ng/mL). After VD supplementation, optimal serum levels were achieved in 94% of patients and significant improvements were observed in platelet count, albumin levels (P<.05) and functional status assessed by the Child-Pugh scale (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of VD deficiency or insufficiency, the need for screening should be considered in the population with CLD. VD supplementation could be safe and effective.

Vitamin D levels and bone turnover markers are not related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in severely obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese patients usually present vitamin D deficiency or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Low vitamin D levels have been recently related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between vitamin D, bone turnover markers and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome in severely obese patients. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who underwent bariatric surgery were included. Liver biopsy was taken during surgery. Two univariate analyses were carried out in order to i) analyse the relationship between liver histology and vitamin D-bone turnover markers (intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin and Carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks) and ii) establish the association between metabolic syndrome components-insulin resistance (HOMA) and vitamin D-bone turnover markers. RESULTS: 70% of the patients had lower levels of vitamin D or secondary hyperparathyroidism. None of the components of liver histology were associated with levels of vitamin D or with bone turnover parameters. Patients with metabolic syndrome showed lower levels of PTH and osteocalcin (72,42 (29,47) vs 61.25(19.59) p-Value: 0.022; 19.79 (10.43) vs 16.87(10.25) p-Value: 0,028, respectively). HOMA was not related to Vitamin D or bone turnover markers. CONCLUSION: Low levels of vitamin D or hyperparathyroidism are common in severely obese patients. Vitamin D and bone metabolism markers were associated neither to NAFLD nor with metabolic syndrome in our series of obese morbid patients.

Antecedentes: los pacientes con obesidad mórbida presentan frecuentemente déficit de vitamina D o hiperparatiroidismo secundario. Presentar niveles bajos de vitamina D se ha asociado recientemente con el hígado graso no alcohólico (EHNA). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación de la vitamina D y los marcadores de recambio óseo con el hígado graso no alcohólico y el síndrome metabólico, en pacientes con obesidad mórbida. Métodos: Ciento diez pacientes sometidos a cirugía bariátrica fueron incluidos, obteniéndose una biopsia hepática durante la cirugía. Dos análisis univariados se llevaron a cabo con el fin de: i) analizar la relación de la histología hepática con la vitamina D y marcadores de recambio óseo (hormona paratiroidea intacta (PTH), osteocalcina y enlaces cruzados de colágeno carboxi-terminal) y ii) establecer la asociación de los componentes del síndrome metabólico y resistencia a la insulina (HOMA) con los marcadores de recambio óseo y vitamina D. Resultados: El 70% de los pacientes presentaron niveles bajos de vitamina D o hiperparatiroidismo secundario. Ninguno de los componentes de la histología hepática resultó asociciado con los niveles de vitamina D o con los parámetros de recambio óseo. Los pacientes con síndrome metabólico mostraron un nivel menor de PTH (72,42 (29,47) vs 61,25 (19,59) Valor p: 0.022) y de osteocalcina 19,79 (10,43) vs 16,87 (10,25) p-valor: 0.028). El HOMA no resultó relacionado con la vitamina D o con los marcadores de recambio óseo. Conclusión: Niveles bajos de vitamina D e hiperparatiroidismo secundario son hallazgos frecuentes en pacientes con obesidad mórbida en nuestro medio. Los marcadores de la vitamina D y recambio óseo no resultaron asociados con el hígado graso no alcohólico, ni con el síndrome metabólico en nuestra serie de pacientes obesos mórbidos.