Incidence of liver cancer in young adults according to the Global Burden of Disease database 2019.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The worldwide burden of cancer is increasing in younger populations. However, the epidemiology of primary liver cancer remains understudied in young adults compared to other cancer forms. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease study between 2010 and 2019 to assess the age-standardized incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years associated with primary liver cancer in the young (15-49 y), stratified by region, nation, sociodemographic index, and sex. The study found a global estimate of 78,299 primary liver cancer cases, 60,602 deaths, and 2.90 million disability-adjusted life years in the young population. The Western Pacific region exhibited the highest burden in 2019, showing the most significant increase compared to other regions between 2010 and 2019. More than half of the countries worldwide have undergone an increase in primary liver cancer incidence rates in young adults. Around 12.51% of deaths due to primary liver cancer occur in young individuals. Throughout the study period, there was a significant decline in primary liver cancer mortality due to most etiologies, except for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-attributable primary liver cancer (annual percentage change + 0.87%, 95% CI: 0.70%-1.05%) and alcohol-attributable primary liver cancer (annual percentage change + 0.21%, 95% CI: 0.01%-0.42%). The limitations of the Global Burden of Disease database include reliance on the quality of primary data and possible underestimation of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the burden of primary liver cancer, especially that originating from steatotic liver disease. This trend calls for the development of urgent and comprehensive strategies to mitigate this rising burden globally.

The Burden of Overweight and Obesity-Associated Gastrointestinal Cancers in Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Global Burden of Disease 2019 Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with cancer, including gastrointestinal (GI). Data from low (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (MICs) are limited. METHODS: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to determine the mortality from GI cancer risk of high body mass index (BMI) in these countries. RESULTS: Mortality rates of GI cancers from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, while burdens decreased or remained stable in high and middle-income countries. DISCUSSION: The GI cancer-related burden from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, necessitating a concerted effort to tackle the obesity pandemic.

The incidence of adverse outcome in donors after living donor liver transplantation: A meta-analysis of 60,829 donors.

The scarcity of liver grafts has prompted developments in living donor liver transplantations (LDLT), with previous literature illustrating similar outcomes in recipients compared to deceased donor transplants. However, significant concerns regarding living donor morbidity and mortality have yet to be examined comprehensively. This study aims to provide estimates of the incidence of various outcomes in living liver donors. In this meta-analysis, Medline and Embase were searched from inception to July 2022 for articles assessing the incidence of outcomes in LDLT donors. Complications in the included studies were classified into respective organ systems. Analysis of incidence was conducted using a generalized linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals. Eighty-seven articles involving 60,829 living liver donors were included. The overall pooled incidence of complications in LDLT donors was 24.7% (CI: 21.6%-28.1%). The incidence of minor complications was 17.3% (CI: 14.7%-20.3%), while the incidence of major complications was lower at 5.5% (CI: 4.5%-6.7%). The overall incidence of donor mortality was 0.06% (CI: 0.0%-0.1%) in 49,027 individuals. Psychological complications (7.6%, CI: 4.9%-11.5%) were the most common among LDLT donors, followed by wound-related (5.2%, CI: 4.4%-6.2%) and respiratory complications (4.9%, CI: 3.8%-6.3%). Conversely, cardiovascular complications had the lowest incidence among the subgroups at 0.8% (CI: 0.4%-1.3%). This study presents the incidence of post-LDLT outcomes in living liver donors, illustrating significant psychological, wound-related, and respiratory complications. While significant advancements in recent decades have contributed towards decreased morbidity in living donors, our findings call for targeted measures and continued efforts to ensure the safety and quality of life of liver donors post-LDLT.

Global burden of liver cancer in males and females: Changing etiological basis and the growing contribution of NASH.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The etiology of liver diseases has changed in recent years, but its impact on the comparative burden of liver cancer between males and females is unclear. We estimated sex differences in the burden of liver cancer across 204 countries and territories from 2010 to 2019. APPROACH AND RESULT: We analyzed temporal trends in the burden of liver cancer using the methodology framework of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. We estimated annual frequencies and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of liver cancer incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by sex, country, region, and etiology of liver disease. Globally in 2019, the frequency of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs due to liver cancer were 376,483, 333,672, and 9,048,723 in males, versus 157,881, 150,904, and 3,479,699 in females. From 2010 to 2019, the incidence ASRs in males increased while death and DALY ASRs remained stable; incidence, death, and DALY ASRs in females decreased. Death ASRs for both sexes increased only in the Americas and remained stable or declined in remaining regions. In 2019, hepatitis B was the leading cause of liver cancer death in males, and hepatitis C in females. From 2010 to 2019, NASH had the fastest growing death ASRs in males and females. The ratio of female-to-male death ASRs in 2019 was lowest in hepatitis B (0.2) and highest in NASH (0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The overall burden of liver cancer is higher in males, although incidence and death ASRs from NASH-associated liver cancer in females approach that of males.

The Global Epidemic of Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective of this manuscript is to examine the current literature on the epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), its correlation with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, as well as to evaluate the update in nomenclature from non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). RECENT FINDINGS: The update of diagnostic criteria from NAFLD to MASLD reduces the stigma associated with alcohol consumption and poor health choices. It also shines a light on the crucial role of cardiometabolic risk factors in disease pathophysiology. The incidence and prevalence of MASLD are projected to increase significantly in the future as the population burden of cardiometabolic risk factors rises. MASLD is also a potent risk factor for developing CVD that should be tackled by using a multi-disciplinary team with a holistic approach. As the new nomenclature for metabolic liver disease is adopted on a global scale, more research is needed to investigate the applicability of findings from previous trials focusing on NAFLD. It is anticipated that the epidemic of MASLD will continue to increase globally, hence the urgent need for therapeutic approaches to reverse this trend.

Mortality Outcomes by Fibrosis Stage in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fibrosis is a key determinant of clinical outcomes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but time-dependent risk of mortality has not been reported in previous meta-analyses. We performed an updated time-to-event meta-analysis to provide robust estimates for all-cause and liver-related mortality in biopsy-confirmed NAFLD with comparisons between fibrosis stages. METHODS: Medline and Embase databases were searched to include cohort studies reporting survival outcomes by fibrosis stage in biopsy-proven NAFLD. Survival estimates were pooled using reconstructed individual participant data. Conventional meta-analysis was conducted to pool adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) using DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 14 articles involving 17,301 patients with NAFLD were included. All-cause mortality at 1, 5, and 10 years for stage 0 to 2 fibrosis was 0.1%, 3.3%, and 7.7% vs 0.3%, 20.6%, and 41.5% for stage 4 fibrosis. Compared with stage 0 fibrosis, all-cause mortality increased with fibrosis stage: stage 2; HR, 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.98), stage 3; HR, 1.96 (95% CI, 1.41-2.72), and stage 4; HR, 3.66 (95% CI, 2.65-5.05). Risk for liver-related mortality increased exponentially as fibrosis stage increased: stage 2; HR, 4.07 (95% CI, 1.44-11.5), stage 3; HR, 7.59 (95% CI, 2.80-20.5), and stage 4; HR, 15.1 (95% CI, 5.27-43.4). Stage 3 to 4 fibrosis had a higher all-cause (HR, 3.32) and liver-related mortality (HR, 10.40) compared with stage 0 to 2 fibrosis, whereas stage 4 fibrosis had higher all-cause (HR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.47-4.83) and liver-related mortality (HR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.22-5.42) vs stage 3 fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of all-cause and liver-related mortality increases substantially with fibrosis stage. These data have important implications for prognostication and trial design.

Outcomes of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis After Liver Transplantation: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the fastest growing indication of liver transplantation (LT) and is projected to be the leading cause of LT in the near future. The systemic pathogenesis of NASH increases risks of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with NASH receiving LT. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a time-dependent survival analysis between LT recipients with and without NASH using hazard ratios. METHODS: A search was conducted on Medline and Embase databases for articles relating to LT outcomes for NASH recipients. A survival analysis was conducted of hazard ratios using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model with meta-regression. To account for censoring, survival data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves and pooled to derive more accurate hazard estimates and all-cause mortality in NASH patients after LT. Pairwise meta-analysis was conducted to analyze secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Fifteen studies involving 119,327 LT recipients were included in our analysis with a prevalence of NASH of 20.2% (95% CI, 12.9-30.2). The pooled 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year all-cause mortality in NASH patients after LT were 12.5%, 24.4%, and 37.9%, respectively. Overall survival was comparable between LT recipients for NASH vs non-NASH (hazard ratio, 0.910; 95% CI, 0.760 to 1.10; P = .34). Meta-regression showed that a higher model for end-stage liver disease score was associated with significantly worse overall survival in NASH compared with non-NASH after LT (95% CI, -0.0856 to -0.0181; P = .0026). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that patients undergoing LT for NASH cirrhosis have comparable complication rates, overall survival, and graft survival compared with non-NASH patients, although close monitoring may be indicated for those with higher model for end-stage liver disease scores.

UNOS Down-Staging Criteria for Liver Transplantation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 25 Studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Down-staging is commonly used to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond Milan criteria (MC) for liver transplantation (LT), but outcomes are heterogenous. We aimed to estimate pooled down-staging success rates, HCC recurrence, and overall survival (OS), stratified by criteria used for baseline tumor burden. METHODS: We searched Pubmed and EMBASE databases from inception until August 2021 for studies reporting down-staging success (reduction of tumor burden to within MC) and outcomes of adult HCC patients. In addition, we performed a pooled analysis using reconstructed individual participant data to obtain robust estimates for OS. RESULTS: We screened 1059 articles and included 25 articles involving 3997 patients. Overall, 55.16% (45.49%-64.46%) underwent successful down-staging, and 31.52% (24.03%-40.11%) received LT (by intention-to-treat analysis [ITT]). Among patients who received LT, 16.01% (11.80%-21.37%) developed HCC recurrence. Comparing studies that used the United Network for Organ Sharing Down-Staging (UNOS-DS) criteria versus studies beyond UNOS-DS or did not specify criteria, down-staging success (by ITT) was 83.21% versus 45.93%, P < .001; the proportion who received LT (by ITT) was 48.61% vs 28.60%, P = .030; and HCC recurrence (among patients who received LT) occurred in 9.06% versus 20.42%, P < .001. Among studies that used UNOS-DS criteria, ITT 1- and 5-year OS from the initiation of down-staging treatment was 86% and 58%, respectively, whereas 1- and 5-year post-LT OS was 94% and 74%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among studies that adhered to UNOS-DS criteria, down-staging was successful in four-fifths of patients, >50% received LT, and post-LT outcomes were excellent. These data provide clinical validation for the utilization of UNOS-DS criteria.

An Observational Data Meta-analysis on the Differences in Prevalence and Risk Factors Between MAFLD vs NAFLD.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The shift to redefine nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) can profoundly affect patient care, health care professionals, and progress within the field. To date, there remains no consensus on the characterization of NAFLD vs MAFLD. Thus, this study sought to compare the differences between the natural history of NAFLD and MAFLD. METHODS: Medline and Embase databases were searched to include articles on prevalence, risk factors, or outcomes of patients with MAFLD or NAFLD. Meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using the generalized linear mix model. Risk factors and outcomes were evaluated in conventional pairwise meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles involving 379,801 patients were included. Pooled prevalence of MAFLD was 39.22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.96%-48.15%) with the highest prevalence in Europe and Asia, followed by North America. The current MAFLD Definition only accounted for 81.59% (95% CI, 66.51%-90.82%) of NAFLD diagnoses. Patients had increased odds of being diagnosed with MAFLD compared with NAFLD (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.16-1.63; P < .001). Imaging modality resulted in a significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with MAFLD compared with NAFLD, but not biopsy. MAFLD was significantly associated with males, higher body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, lipids, transaminitis, and greater fibrosis scores compared with NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: There were stark differences in the prevalence and risk factors between MAFLD and NAFLD. However, in the use of the MAFLD Definition, a greater emphasis on the management of concomitant metabolic diseases and a collaborative effort is required to explore the complex pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the disease.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence in Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Alcohol is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, pooled estimates of HCC incidence in alcohol-associated cirrhosis have not been evaluated systematically. We performed a pooled analysis of time-to-event data to provide robust estimates for the incidence of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis. METHODS: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2021. Individual patient data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves, and a pooled analysis of cumulative HCC incidence was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: We screened 5022 articles and included 18 studies (148,333 patients). In the pooled analysis, the cumulative incidence of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis at 1, 5, and 10 years among studies that accounted for the competing risk of death without HCC was 1%, 3%, and 9%, respectively. A secondary analysis by traditional meta-analysis determined that the HCC incidence rate was higher in cohorts enrolled in a HCC surveillance program (18.6 vs 4.8 per 1000 person-years; P = .001) vs those who were not enrolled in a surveillance program. Meta-regression showed that diabetes, smoking, variceal bleeding, and hepatic decompensation were associated with a higher risk of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis determined that the 5- and 10- year cumulative risk of HCC in alcohol-associated cirrhosis was 3% and 9%, respectively, with a higher incidence in cohorts that were enrolled in a HCC surveillance program. These data should be validated further in large prospective studies, and may have important implications for HCC screening and surveillance among patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

Metabolic reprogramming of the intestinal microbiome with functional bile acid changes underlie the development of NAFLD.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bile acids are hepatic metabolites and have many properties considered to be relevant to the pathophysiology of NAFLD. Circulating levels of the intestinal microbiome-modified bile acid deoxycholate are increased in cirrhosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS: To further elucidate the role of bile acids and intestinal microbiota linked to bile acids in progressively severe NAFLD, a multiomic study of feces including 16S rRNA sequencing, microbial transcriptomics and metabolomics was performed in a cohort with varying phenotypes of NAFLD. Several bile acids of microbial origin derived from deoxycholic acid (DCA) (glycodeoxycholate, 7-ketodeoxycholic acid, dehydrocholic acid) increased with disease activity and fibrosis stage. These were linked to increased expression of microbial bile salt hydrolase, bile acid operon (BaiCD) and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (hdhA) required for DCA and downstream metabolite synthesis providing a mechanistic basis for altered bile acid profiles with disease progression. Bacteroidetes and several genera of Lachnospiraceae family containing DCA generating genes increased with increasing disease severity, whereas several potentially beneficial microbes sensitive to antibacterial effects of DCA e.g., Ruminococcaceae were decreased. The clinical relevance of these data was confirmed in an independent cohort enrolled in a clinical trial for NASH where at entry DCA and its conjugates were associated with advanced fibrosis. In patients treated with placebo, DCA declined in those with fibrosis regression and increased in those with fibrosis progression. DCA rose further in those with compensated cirrhosis when they experienced decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate a role for bile acids and the bile acid dependent microbiome in the development and progression of NAFLD and set the stage to leverage these findings for NASH biomarker development and for therapeutics.

Placebo effect on progression and regression in NASH: Evidence from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The evaluation of the natural history of NASH has been limited. Currently, liver biopsy remains the gold standard in the assessment of NASH. Placebo-controlled trials represent a controlled environment with paired biopsies for the evaluation of NASH. This meta-analysis thus seeks to quantify the change severity of NASH over time, with patients on placebo arms from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the natural history of NASH. METHODS: A search was conducted to include NASH RCTs with placebo treatment arms. Primary outcomes were (1) the resolution of NASH without worsening of fibrosis, (2) two-point reduction in NAFLD activity score without worsening of fibrosis, and (3) at least one-point reduction in fibrosis. Generalized linear mix model was used to estimate pooled proportion and mean differences. RESULTS: This meta-analysis of 43 RCTs included 2649 placebo-treated patients. The pooled estimate of NASH resolution and two-point NAFLD activity score reduction without worsening of fibrosis was 11.65% (95% CI: 7.98-16.71) and 21.11% (95% CI: 17.24-25.57). The rate of ≥1 stage reduction and progression of fibrosis was 18.82% (95% CI: 15.65-22.47) and 22.74% (CI: 19.63-26.17), respectively. Older age and African American ethnicity was associated with lower NASH resolution rate in placebo-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of any pharmacological interventions, a significant proportion of patients in the placebo arm demonstrated improvements in liver histology, highlighting the possibility that NASH is a disease that can not only progress but regress spontaneously over time. Additionally, histologic response in placebo-treated patients is helpful in future design of phase 2B and phase 3 trials.

Clinical characteristics, surveillance, treatment allocation, and outcomes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation and outcomes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma are unclear when compared with hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes. We aimed to establish the prevalence, clinical features, surveillance rates, treatment allocation, and outcomes of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE and Embase from inception until Jan 17, 2022, for articles in English that compared clinical features, and outcomes of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma versus hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes. We included cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies and excluded paediatric studies. Study-level data were extracted from the published reports. The primary outcomes were (1) the proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to NAFLD, (2) comparison of patient and tumour characteristics of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma versus other causes, and (3) comparison of surveillance, treatment allocation, and overall and disease-free survival outcomes of NAFLD-related versus non-NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma. We analysed proportional data using a generalised linear mixed model. Pairwise meta-analysis was done to obtain odds ratio (OR) or mean difference, comparing NAFLD-related with non-NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma. We evaluated survival outcomes using pooled analysis of hazard ratios. FINDINGS: Of 3631 records identified, 61 studies (done between January, 1980, and May, 2021; 94 636 patients) met inclusion criteria. Overall, the proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma cases secondary to NAFLD was 15·1% (95% CI 11·9-18·9). Patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma were older (p<0·0001), had higher BMI (p<0·0001), and were more likely to present with metabolic comorbidities (diabetes [p<0·0001], hypertension [p<0·0001], and hyperlipidaemia [p<0·0001]) or cardiovascular disease at presentation (p=0·0055) than patients with hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes. They were also more likely to be non-cirrhotic (38·5%, 27·9-50·2 vs 14·6%, 8·7-23·4 for hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes; p<0·0001). Patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma had larger tumour diameters (p=0·0087), were more likely to have uninodular lesions (p=0·0003), and had similar odds of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages, TNM stages, alpha fetoprotein concentration, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status to patients with non-NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma. A lower proportion of patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma underwent surveillance (32·8%, 12·0-63·7) than did patients with hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes (55·7%, 24·0-83·3; p<0·0001). There were no significant differences in treatment allocation (curative therapy, palliative therapy, and best supportive care) between patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma and those with hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes. Overall survival did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio 1·05, 95% CI 0·92-1·20, p=0·43), but disease-free survival was longer for patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (0·79, 0·63-0·99; p=0·044). There was substantial heterogeneity in most analyses (I2>75%), and all articles had low-to-moderate risk of bias. INTERPRETATION: NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with a higher proportion of patients without cirrhosis and lower surveillance rates than hepatocellular carcinoma due to other causes. Surveillance strategies should be developed for patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis who are at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. FUNDING: None.

A Meta-Analysis on the Global Prevalence, Risk factors and Screening of Coronary Heart Disease in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies examining the association of coronary heart disease (CHD) and NAFLD are cofounded by various cardiometabolic factors, particularly diabetes and body mass index. Hence, we seek to explore such association by investigating the global prevalence, independent risk factors, and influence of steatosis grade on manifestation of CHD among patients with NAFLD. METHODS: Two databases, Embase and Medline, were utilized to search for articles relating to NAFLD and CHD. Data including, but not limited to, continent, diagnostic methods, baseline characteristics, prevalence of CHD, CHD severity, NAFLD severity, and risk factors were extracted. RESULTS: Of the 38 articles included, 14 reported prevalence of clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) and 24 subclinical CAD. The pooled prevalence of CHD was 44.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.0%-53.6%) among 67,070 patients with NAFLD with an odds ratio of 1.33 (95% CI, 1.21%-1.45%; P < .0001). The prevalence of CHD was higher in patients with moderate to severe steatosis (37.5%; 95% CI, 15.0%-67.2%) than those with mild steatosis (29.6%; 95% CI, 13.1%-54.0%). The pooled prevalence of subclinical and clinical CAD was 38.7% (95% CI, 29.8%-48.5%) and 55.4% (95% CI, 39.6%-70.1%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Steatosis was found to be related with CHD involvement, with moderate to severe steatosis related to clinical CAD. Early screening and prompt intervention for CHD in NAFLD are warranted for holistic care in NAFLD.

Glomerular filtration rate early after liver transplantation independently predicts atherosclerotic events.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of mortality among liver transplantation (LT) recipients; however, the data on CVD risk stratification following LT are limited. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the association between decline in renal function early after LT and atherosclerotic events. This retrospective study included all patients receiving LT between 2007 and 2019. Early renal function was quantified as estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 6 months after LT. The primary endpoint for the study was a composite atherosclerotic cardiovascular event of three-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), which includes nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or death from CVD. A total of 553 LT recipients met entry criteria. After a median follow-up of 74 months (interquartile range 46-111), 94 (17%) LT recipients died and CVD-associated death occurred in 20 patients. MACE-3 occurred in 66 (12%) patients, with nonfatal MI being the most common event (n = 30). A strong inverse relationship between early GFR and MACE-3 was noted in unadjusted analysis with hazard ratio (HR) 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-0.98; p = 0.0001) and remained significant even after accounting for age, sex, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, calcineurin inhibitor use, and Framingham Risk Score (FRS; HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.97; p = 0.0001 per unit increase in GFR). Furthermore, an independent interaction between GFR, FRS, and likelihood of developing an MACE-3 was noted. GFR 6 months following LT is a strong predictor of developing atherosclerotic events. This relationship is independent of traditional CVD risk stratification models (e.g. FRS) and thus has the potential to be incorporated into CVD risk assessment after LT but requires further validation.

A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review on the Global Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Coronary Artery Disease in Liver Transplantation Recipients.

The shift in the changing etiology of cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation (LT) has resulted in an increasing prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) that can potentially impact post-LT outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the prevalence of CAD, risk factors, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with CAD before LT. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for articles describing CAD in pre-LT patients. Meta-analysis of proportions using the generalized linear mix model was conducted to analyze the pooled prevalence of CAD in pre-LT patients. Associated risk factors for CAD in pre-LT patients and outcomes were evaluated in conventional pairwise meta-analysis. A total of 39 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of patients diagnosed with CAD before LT was 15.9% (95% CI, 9.8%-24.7%). Age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatitis B virus, and hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly associated with CAD. Patients from high-income countries especially North America, Europe, and South America, with the associated risk factors were at increased risk for CAD before LT. CAD before LT was associated with an increased odds of overall mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.4; P = 0.01) and cardiac-related mortality (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3; P = 0.03). A total of 48.7% of included articles considered the presence of cardiovascular risk factors for CAD screening. However, 10.3% of the studies screened for CAD in pre-LT patients via invasive coronary angiography only, without stress testing or risk stratification. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of CAD in pre-LT patients, associated risk factors, and outcomes. There is heterogeneity among guidelines and practice in screening for pre-LT CAD, and more studies are needed to establish consensus.

A Diagnostic Test Meta-Analysis Evaluating Imaging-Based and Blood Biomarker-Based Assessment Tools for Fibrosis After Liver Transplantation.

Early detection of liver graft fibrosis is crucial for risk stratification to identify patients for liver biopsy and timely treatment. However, diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tests (NITs) remains unclear. Thus, this study sought to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of NITs in assessing liver allograft fibrosis and compare the differences in specificities and sensitivities among NITs. Medline and Embase databases were searched to include articles on diagnostic tests in liver transplantation (LT) patients with fibrosis. A meta-analysis on diagnostic test accuracy was conducted in a random-effects model. Sensitivities and specificities among the diagnostic tests were compared, and threshold values were calculated where applicable. A total of 25 articles were included. Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) met the minimum diagnostic accuracy requirements, yielding sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios of 0.9 (CI, 0.8-1.0), 0.9 (CI, 0.8-1.0), and 379.6 (CI, 45.8-1728.7), respectively. In the threshold assessment, the optimal cutoff was 9.30 kPa with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of 0.7 (CI, 0.5-0.9), 0.9 (CI, 0.8-0.9), and 0.9 (CI, 0.8-0.9), respectively. For significant fibrosis, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) was superior to FibroTest (LabCorp [Burlington, NC]) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to FibroTest in specificity. For advanced fibrosis, ARFI was superior to the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), MRE, and FIB-4 in specificity. In cirrhosis, VCTE was superior to APRI in specificity (P = 0.004) with comparable sensitivity. This study demonstrates the potential of VCTE and ARFI as diagnostic tools for fibrosis in LT recipients compared with blood-based NITs, which were shown to be less optimal.

A clinical overview of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A guide to diagnosis, the clinical features, and complications-What the non-specialist needs to know.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a rapidly rising prevalence worldwide and is the most common cause of liver disease in developed countries. In this article, we discuss the spectrum of disease of NAFLD with a focus on the earlier spectrum of the disease that is commonly encountered by non-specialists, as well as the hepatic and extra-hepatic associations of the disease. We discuss in detail the two common presentations of NAFLD, incidentally detected hepatic steatosis and asymptomatic raised liver enzymes, and provide an algorithm for management and continued to follow up for these patients. Considerations for the management of cardiovascular comorbidities in these patients are also discussed. Finally, we cover the topic of screening for NAFLD in high-risk populations.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiovascular function and clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cardiovascular disease contributes to a high rate of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). However, the progression of cardiac function and cardiac remodeling in LT recipients remains poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate the progression of cardiac function and structure in LT recipients and identify independent predictors of prognosis using echocardiography. METHODS: From 2009 to 2019, 178 adult LT recipients at a tertiary academic transplant center were retrospectively studied. Transthoracic echocardiograms 1-year pre- and post-LT were assessed. Primary outcomes were progression of systolic and diastolic function. Secondary outcomes included left ventricular remodeling, all-cause mortality, and heart failure readmission post-LT. Subgroup analyzes were performed for etiology of native liver disease. A multivariable model was constructed to examine independent predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: Systolic function significantly worsened, with reduction in stroke volume (45-37 ml/m2 , p < .001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (65%-62%, p < .001) and cardiac index (3.00-2.60 L/min/m2 , p < .001). Conversely, there were significant improvements in diastolic indices, including tricuspid regurgitation Vmax (228-215 cm/s, p = .017), left atrial volume index (LAVI) (32-26 ml/m2 , p < .001) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (31-28 mmHg, p = .001). Additionally, patients had increased relative wall thickness (RWT) (p < .001) and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension/body surface area (p < .001) post-LT. The independent predictors for all-cause mortality and heart failure were increased pre-LT mitral annular early diastolic velocity (HR 1.11, CI 1.02-1.22, p = .018), LAVI (HR 1.06, CI 1.02-1.11, p = .007) and decreased LVEF (HR .89, CI .82-.97, p = .006). The effect of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis on cardiovascular outcomes post-LT was largely comparable to that of Hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: This study showed reduced systolic and improved diastolic function in LT recipients and highlighted the utility of pre-LT echocardiogram in the prognostication and risk stratification of LT candidates.

Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease Increases the Risk of Systemic Complications and Mortality. A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of 12 620 736 Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The recent introduction of the term metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) sought to reclassify nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MAFLD is thought to improve the encapsulation of metabolic dysregulation. However, recent evidence has found significant differences between MAFLD and NAFLD, and prevailing knowledge has largely arisen from studies on NAFLD. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of the outcomes associated with MAFLD. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for articles relating to outcomes in MAFLD. Analysis was conducted in random effects with hazard ratios (HRs) to account for longitudinal risk assessment of mortality and systemic complications. RESULTS: A total of 554 articles were identified, of which 17 articles were included. MAFLD resulted in an increase in the overall mortality (HR, 1.24; confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.34), cancer-related mortality (HR, 1.27; CI, 1.01-1.54), and cardiovascular disease mortality (HR, 1.28, 1.03-1.53; P = .04) compared with non-MAFLD. MAFLD also increases the risk of cardiovascular events (HR, 1.49; CI, 1.34-1.64; P < .01), stroke (HR, 1.55; CI, 1.37-1.73; P < .01), and chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.53; CI, 1.38-1.68). The presence of MAFLD was also associated with an increased risk of heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and malignancy. CONCLUSION: MAFLD can significantly elevate the risk of systemic diseases and mortality. The care of MAFLD thus requires interdisciplinary collaboration, and future clinical trials conducted on MAFLD should aim to reduce the incidence of end-organ damage aside from improving liver histology.