Real-world impact following initiation of interferon-free hepatitis C regimens on liver-related outcomes and all-cause mortality among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Few studies have investigated clinical outcomes among patients with cirrhosis who were treated with interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA). We aimed to quantify treatment impact on first decompensated cirrhosis hospital admission, first hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admission, liver-related mortality and all-cause mortality among a national cohort of cirrhotic patients. Through record linkage between Scotland's HCV Clinical Database and inpatient/day-case hospitalization and deaths records, a study population comprising chronic HCV-infected patients with compensated cirrhosis and initiated on IFN-free DAA between 1 March 2013 and 31 March 2018 was analysed. Cox regression evaluated the association of each clinical outcome with time-dependent treatment status (on treatment, responder, nonresponder or noncompliant), adjusting for patient factors including Child-Pugh class. Among the study population (n = 1073) involving 1809 years of follow-up, 75 (7.0%) died (39 from liver-related causes), 47 progressed to decompensated cirrhosis, and 28 developed HCC. Compared with nonresponders, treatment response (96% among those attending their 12 weeks post-treatment SVR test) was associated with a reduced relative risk of decompensated cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05-0.39), HCC (HR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04-0.79), liver-related death (HR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.05-0.34) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12-0.76). Compared with responders, noncompliant patients had an increased risk of liver-related (HR = 6.73; 95% CI: 2.99-15.1) and all-cause (HR = 5.45; 95% CI: 3.07-9.68) mortality. For HCV patients with cirrhosis, a treatment response was associated with a lower risk of severe liver complications and improved survival. Our findings suggest additional effort is warranted to address the higher mortality among the minority of cirrhotic patients who do not comply with DAA treatment or associated RNA testing.

Mortality in hepatitis C patients who achieve a sustained viral response compared to the general population.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The number of people living with previous hepatitis C infection that have attained a sustained viral response (SVR) is expected to grow rapidly. So far, the prognosis of this group relative to the general population is unclear. METHODS: Individuals attaining SVR in Scotland in 1996-2011 were identified using a national database. Through record-linkage, we obtained cause-specific mortality data complete to Dec 2013. We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare the frequency of mortality in SVR patients to the general population. In a parallel analysis, we used Cox regression to identify modifiable patient characteristics associated with post-SVR mortality. RESULTS: We identified 1824 patients, followed on average for 5.2years after SVR. In total, 78 deaths were observed. Overall, all-cause mortality was 1.9 times more frequent for SVR patients than the general population (SMR: 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-2.32). Significant cause-specific elevations were seen for death due to primary liver cancer (SMR: 23.50; 95% CI: 12.23-45.16), and death due to drug-related causes (SMR: 6.58, 95% CI: 4.15-10.45). Together these two causes accounted for 66% of the total excess death observed. All of the modifiable characteristics associated with increased mortality were markers either of heavy alcohol use or injecting drug use. Individuals without these behavioural markers (32.8% of cohort) experienced equivalent survival to the general population (SMR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.41-1.18) CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in Scottish SVR patients is higher overall than the general population. The excess was driven by death from drug-related causes and liver cancer. Health risk behaviours emerged as important modifiable determinants of mortality in this population. LAY SUMMARY: Patients cured of hepatitis C through treatment had a higher mortality rate overall than the general population. Most of the surplus mortality was due to drug-related causes and death from liver cancer. A history of heavy alcohol and injecting drug use were associated with a higher mortality risk.

Toward a more complete understanding of the association between a hepatitis C sustained viral response and cause-specific outcomes.

UNLABELLED: Sustained viral response (SVR) is the optimal outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy, yet more detailed data are required to confirm its clinical value. Individuals receiving treatment in 1996-2011 were identified using the Scottish HCV clinical database. We sourced data on 10 clinical events: liver, nonliver, and all-cause mortality; first hospitalisation for severe liver morbidity (SLM); cardiovascular disease (CVD); respiratory disorders; neoplasms; alcohol-intoxication; drug intoxication; and violence-related injury (note: the latter three events were selected a priori to gauge ongoing chaotic lifestyle behaviours). We determined the association between SVR attainment and each outcome event, in terms of the relative hazard reduction and absolute risk reduction (ARR). We tested for an interaction between SVR and liver disease severity (mild vs. nonmild), defining mild disease as an aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) <0.7. Our cohort comprised 3,385 patients (mean age: 41.6 years), followed-up for a median 5.3 years (interquartile range: 3.3-8.2). SVR was associated with a reduced risk of liver mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.24; P < 0.001), nonliver mortality (AHR, 0.68; P = 0.026), all-cause mortality (AHR, 0.49; P < 0.001), SLM (AHR, 0.21; P < 0.001), CVD (AHR, 0.70; P = 0.001), alcohol intoxication (AHR, 0.52; P = 0.003), and violence-related injury (AHR, 0.51; P = 0.002). After 7.5 years, SVR was associated with significant ARRs for liver mortality, all-cause mortality, SLM, and CVD (each 3.0%-4.7%). However, we detected a strong interaction, in that ARRs were considerably higher for individuals with nonmild disease than for individuals with mild disease. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusions are 3-fold: (1) Overall, SVR is associated with reduced hazard for a range of hepatic and nonhepatic events; (2) an association between SVR and behavioral events is consistent with SVR patients leading healthier lives; and (3) the short-term value of SVR is greatest for those with nonmild disease.

Quantifying the fraction of cirrhosis attributable to alcohol among chronic hepatitis C virus patients: implications for treatment cost-effectiveness.

UNLABELLED: A substantial baseline risk of liver cirrhosis exists for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the extent to which this could be driven by heavy alcohol use is unclear. Therefore, our principal aim was to determine the fraction of cirrhosis attributable to heavy alcohol use among chronic HCV patients attending a liver clinic. The study population comprised chronic HCV patients who had attended one of five liver clinics in Scotland during 1996-2010 and had (1) remained in follow-up for at least 6 months, (2) acquired HCV through either injecting drugs or blood transfusion, and (3) an estimated date of acquiring infection. Predictors of cirrhosis were determined from multivariate logistic regression. Regression parameters were used to determine the fraction of cirrhosis attributable to heavy alcohol use. Among 1,620 patients, 9% were diagnosed with cirrhosis, and 34% had ever engaged in heavy alcohol use (>50 units/week for a sustained period). Significant predictors of cirrhosis were age, duration of infection, and ever heavy alcohol use. The fraction of cirrhosis attributable to ever heavy alcohol use was 36.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24.4-47.4). Moreover, among patients who had ever engaged in heavy alcohol use specifically, this attributable fraction exceeded 50% (61.6%; 95% CI: 47.0-72.2). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of patients with chronic HCV develop liver cirrhosis as a consequence of heavy alcohol use. This has not been adequately acknowledged by cost utility analyses (CUAs). As such, estimates of cost-effectiveness may be exaggerated. Thus, these data are important to guide forthcoming CUAs in terms of taking better account of the factors leading to cirrhosis among patients with chronic HCV.

Excess liver-related morbidity of chronic hepatitis C patients, who achieve a sustained viral response, and are discharged from care.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to address two shortfalls in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) literature: (1) Few data exist comparing post-treatment liver-related mortality/morbidity in HCV-sustained virologic response (SVR) patients to non-SVR patients and (2) no data exist examining liver-related morbidity among treatment response subgroups,particularly among noncirrhotic SVR patients, a group who in the main are discharged from care without further follow-up. A retrospective cohort of 1,215 previously naïve HCV interferon patients (treated 1996-2007)was derived using HCV clinical databases from nine Scottish clinics. Patients were followed up post-treatment for a mean of 5.3 years. (1) By Cox-regression, liver-related hospital episodes (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]:0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.34) and liver-related mortality [corrected] (AHR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.09-0.58)were significantly lower in SVR patients, compared to non-SVR patients. (2) Rates of liver-related hospitalization were elevated among all treatment subgroups compared to the general population: Among noncirrhotic SVR patients, adjusted standardized morbidity ratio (SMBR) up to 5.9 (95% CI: 4.5-8.0); among all SVR patients,SMBR up to 10.5 (95% CI: 8.7-12.9); and among non-SVR patients, SMBR up to 53.2 (95% CI: 49.4-57.2).Considerable elevation was also noted among patients who have spontaneously resolved their HCV infection(a control group used to gauge the extent to which lifestyle factors, and not chronic HCV, can contribute toliver-related morbidity), SMBR up to 26.8 (95% CI: 25.3-28.3). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Patients achieving an SVR were more than four times less likely to be hospitalized, or die for a liver-related reason, than non-SVR patients and (2) although discharged, noncirrhotic SVR patients harbor a disproportionate burden of liver-related morbidity; up to six times that of the general population. Further, alarming levels of liver-related morbidity in spontaneous resolvers is an important finding warranting further study..

Audit of medical (non-targeted) liver biopsy specimen quality, pathology reporting and effect on patient management.

AIMS: To evaluate our medical liver pathology practice and its influence on patient management, using audit templates published by the UK Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). METHODS: We audited medical liver biopsies reported in our centre in 2019 using RCPath proformas. Data were collected from pathology reports and corresponding electronic patient record. RESULTS: 60 cases were selected for audit from 135 eligible biopsies reported in 2019. 58/60 cases were core biopsies and 2/60 were laparoscopic wedge biopsies. 53/57 (93%) core biopsies with available data met RCPath adequacy criteria (length >15 mm and/or ≥6 portal tracts). Most reports (57/60; 95%) were judged to have helped patient management. 25/60 (42%) biopsy reports helped to clarify the clinical diagnosis and 48/60 (80%) led to altered management. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the utility of the RCPath audit templates, highlighting the clinical value of medical liver biopsies in the diagnostic work-up and management of patients with liver disease.

Uptake of endoscopic screening for gastroesophageal varices and factors associated with variceal bleeding in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and compensated cirrhosis, 2005-2016: a national database linkage study.

BACKGROUND: Primary measures for preventing morbidity and mortality associated with bleeding gastroesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients include endoscopic screening. AIM: To identify factors associated with (a) screening and (b) first hospital admission for variceal bleeding among cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients attending specialist care in Scotland. METHODS: The Scottish Hepatitis C Clinical Database was linked to national hospitalisation and deaths records to identify all chronic HCV patients diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis in 2005-2016 (n = 2741). The adjusted odds of being screened by calendar year period were estimated using logistic regression, and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of a first variceal bleed using Cox regression. RESULTS: About 34% were screened within the period starting 12 months before and ending 12 months after cirrhosis diagnosis. The proportion screened was stable in 2005-2010 at 42%, declining to 37% in 2011-2013 and 26% in 2014-2016. Odds of screening were decreased for age-groups <40 (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48-0.77) and 60+ years (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.94), history of antiviral therapy (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55-0.89), and cirrhosis diagnosis in 2014-2015, compared with 2008-2010 (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52-0.86). Compared with 2008-2010, there was no evidence for an increased/decreased relative risk of a first variceal bleed in any other period, but viral clearance was associated with a lower risk (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Overall screening uptake following cirrhosis diagnosis was low, and the decline in recent years is of concern. The stable bleeding risk over time may be attributable both to ongoing prevention initiatives and to changing diagnostic procedures creating a patient pool with milder disease in more recent years.

Oral omega-6 essential fatty acid treatment in contact lens associated dry eye.

PURPOSE: Symptoms of dry eye are commonly reported in contact lens wearers and are a frequent cause of non-tolerance. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of oral treatment with particular omega-6 fatty acids in the form of evening primrose oil (EPO) on subjective symptoms, ocular surface signs and tear film characteristic in patients with contact lens associated dry eye. METHODS: The study design was randomised, double-masked and placebo controlled. 76 female soft contact lens wearers were treated for 6 months with either EPO or placebo (olive oil). Subjects underwent three examinations (baseline, 3 and 6 months). At each examination subjects were given a questionnaire relating to lens comfort and dry eye symptoms and underwent a series of tests of tear film characteristics (tear meniscus height, break-up time), meibomian gland function (lipid layer thickness and quality) and ocular surface parameters (hyperaemia and staining). RESULTS: The EPO group showed a significant improvement in the specific symptom of 'dryness' at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01) and also a significant improvement in overall lens comfort at 6 months (p<0.01). Tear meniscus height was increased in the EPO group at 6 months relative to baseline (p<0.01), although all other objective signs were unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence for a beneficial effect of particular orally administered omega-6 fatty acids in alleviating dry eye symptoms and improving overall lens comfort in patients suffering from contact lens associated dry eye.

The application of a computerised videokeratography (CVK) based contact lens fitting software programme on irregularly shaped corneal surfaces.

PURPOSE: To explore the success of the application of a computerised videokeratography (CVK) software system for the fitting of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses (CLs) on irregular corneal surfaces and compare it to the standard diagnostic fitting procedure. METHODS: This was a comparative prospective study, over a 1-year period (2004-2005). It included 41 RGP CL wearers (68 eyes) with irregular corneal surfaces. Of these, 51 (75%) had keratoconus, 7 (10%) corneal scarring (infectious or traumatic), 6 (6.82%) corneal transplants, 2 (2.9%) astigmatism, and 2 (2.9%) aphakia. Each eye was being re-fitted with a new RGP CL based on a topographical measurement in conjunction with a CL fitting software programme. The performance of the CLs was evaluated regarding visual outcome, fitting characteristics, and efficiency of the fitting procedure. RESULTS: Of the 68 eyes, 53 (77.94%) chose the CL fitted using the CVK software system, 9 (13.24%) chose the CL fitted using the standard procedure, and 6 (8.82%) showed no preference for either CL. There was a statistically significant improvement regarding visual outcome [contrast sensitivity at the spatial frequencies of 0.66 (p=0.029), 3.40 (p=0.008), and 17 (p=0.032), subjective vision (p=0.009)], fitting characteristics [grading scale (p=0.00), lens comfort (p=0.00) and daily wearing time (p=0.002)], and efficiency [number of trial lenses required (p=0.00)] with the CL fitted using the CVK software system. Correlating factors for the likely preference for the CL fitted using the CVK software system were subjective vision (p=0.004), lens comfort (p=0.009), and convenience of the fitting procedure (p=0.023). CONCLUSION: The application of a CVK software system for the fitting procedure of RGP CLs on irregular corneal surfaces was a safe procedure and shown to be more successful and efficient than the standard diagnostic fitting method.

A clinical evaluation of Systane.

BACKGROUND: Systane is a new artificial tear solution containing the pH dependent gelling polymer hydroxypropyl-Guar (HP-Guar). We evaluated Systane in an open trial. METHODS: Patients complaining of dry feeling eyes were eligible to enroll, with inclusion criteria based on the presence of corneal staining with sodium fluorescein (NaFl) and participants' desire to use ocular lubricants. Six symptoms of ocular irritation were rated on a four-point scale. Conjunctival injection, conjunctival and corneal fluorescein staining were graded and tear break-up time (TBUT) and tear meniscus height were measured. Subjects were instructed to instill one drop of Systane into each eye four times a day for approximately four weeks. Ocular symptoms and signs were then reassessed and subjects were asked to rate eight statements concerning their satisfaction with the product. RESULTS: A total of 38 subjects were enrolled with 32 completing the follow-up visit. The following variables improved significantly at follow-up: all ocular irritation symptom scores, conjunctival injection, total conjunctival and total corneal staining scores, and TBUT. Tear meniscus height showed no significant change. Systane proved effective in reducing the symptoms of dry eye; however induced blur appeared to be a complication for many participants. CONCLUSIONS: The study represents a community based evaluation of the benefits of a novel ocular lubricant in optometric practice. The results suggest that the gelling properties of HP-Guar may be influential in promoting ocular surface recovery through improved ocular surface retention, however further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm this. The extent and significance of induced blur also needs further investigation.

Bilirubin response to corticosteroids in severe alcoholic hepatitis.

INTRODUCTION: There is little consensus on the management of alcoholic hepatitis, particularly with regard to corticosteroid therapy. We aimed to identify those patients who respond to corticosteroid therapy for alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS: We identified 37 patients with alcoholic hepatitis with a modified Maddrey's discriminant function of 32 or greater. We assessed their outcomes at 28 and 56 days treatment after admission relative to their response to corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: Corticosteroid treated patients experienced a change in the serum bilirubin concentration after 6-9 days of -23.0+/-4.7%. Overall, the mortality was 18.9 and 35.1% at 28 and 56 days. Response to corticosteroids was defined as a 25% fall in serum bilirubin after 6-9 days of treatment. The mortality of the non-responders was 36.8% and 57.9% at 28 and 56 days compared with 0% (P=0.0148) and 11.1% (P=0.0084) for corticosteroid responders. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a 25% fall in bilirubin after 6-9 days of corticosteroid therapy have a significant and sustained improvement in outcome.

Anterior eye health recording.

AIMS: To survey eye care practitioners from around the world regarding their current practice for anterior eye health recording to inform guidelines on best practice. METHODS: The on-line survey examined the reported use of: word descriptions, sketching, grading scales or photographs; paper or computerised record cards and whether these were guided by proforma headings; grading scale choice, signs graded, level of precision, regional grading; and how much time eye care practitioners spent on average on anterior eye health recording. RESULTS: Eight hundred and nine eye care practitioners from across the world completed the survey. Word description (p<0.001), sketches (p=0.002) and grading scales (p<0.001) were used more for recording the anterior eye health of contact lens patients than other patients, but photography was used similarly (p=0.132). Of the respondents, 84.5% used a grading scale, 13.5% using two, with the original Efron (51.6%) and CCLRU/Brien-Holden-Vision-Institute (48.5%) being the most popular. The median features graded was 11 (range 1-23), frequency from 91.6% (bulbar hyperaemia) to 19.6% (endothelial blebs), with most practitioners grading to the nearest unit (47.4%) and just 14.7% to one decimal place. The average time taken to report anterior eye health was reported to be 6.8±5.7 min, with the maximum time available 14.0±11 min. CONCLUSIONS: Developed practice and research evidence allows best practice guidelines for anterior eye health recording to be recommended. It is recommended to: record which grading scale is used; always grade to one decimal place, record what you see live rather than based on how you intend to manage a condition; grade bulbar and limbal hyperaemia, limbal neovascularisation, conjunctival papillary redness and roughness (in white light to assess colouration with fluorescein instilled to aid visualisation of papillae/follicles), blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and sketch staining (both corneal and conjunctival) at every visit. Record other anterior eye features only if they are remarkable, but indicate that the key tissue which have been examined.

History and symptom taking in contact lens fitting and aftercare.

AIM: To appraise history and symptom taking for contact lens consultations, to determine current practice and to make recommendations for best practice. METHOD: The peer reviewed academic literature was reviewed and the results informed a survey completed by 256 eye care practitioners (ECPs) on their current practice and influences. RESULTS: The last eye-test date, last contact lens aftercare (for existing wearers) and reason for visit are key questions for most ECPs. Detailed use of contact lens questions are more commonly applied in aftercares than when refitting patients who have previously discontinued wear (87% vs 56% use), whereas questions on ocular and general history, medication and lifestyle were generally more commonly utilised for new patients than in aftercares (72% vs 50%). 75% of ECPs requested patients bring a list of their medication to appointments. Differential diagnosis questioning was thorough in most ECPs (87% of relevant questions asked). Attempts to optimise compliance included oral instruction (95% always) and written patient instructions (95% at least sometimes). Abbreviations were used by 39% of respondents (26% used ones provided by a professional body). CONCLUSION: There is scope for more consistency in history and symptom taking for contact lens consultations and recommendations are made.

Ranking predictors of a sustained viral response for patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in Scotland.

OBJECTIVES: From the literature on the hepatitis C virus, the existence of a gap between a sustained virologic response (SVR) attainable in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) versus routine practice is not clear. Further, in terms of the pretreatment prediction of SVR, to date, studies have focused only on reporting the magnitude of association (MOA) between each predictor and an SVR. They fail to acknowledge that a predictor with a large MOA is of little value to clinicians if it has low variability in the treatment population. METHODS: Hepatitis C virus clinical databases were used to derive a large, representative cohort of Scottish pegylated interferon and ribavirin initiates. RESULTS: Overall, 39% [123/315, 95% confidence interval (CI) 34-45%] of genotype 1 and 70% (414/594, 95% CI 66-73%) of genotype 2/3 patients achieved an SVR; this compares with the pooled estimates of 47% for genotype 1 (95% CI 41-52%) and 80% for genotype 2/3 (95% CI 75-85%) RCT participants. Significant predictors of SVR identified from logistic regression were ranked on the basis of the akaike information criteria (reflecting an approach that will account for each predictor's MOA and variability) as follows: (i) genotype, % increase in akaike information criteria of the final model when variables are excluded, 58.49%; (ii) γ-glutamyl transferase, 18.64%; (iii) platelet count, 6.48%; (iv) alanine aminotransferase quotient, 4.63%; (v) ever infected with hepatitis B virus, 4.31% and (vi) sex, 3.10%. CONCLUSION: (i) The proportion of patients attaining an SVR in Scottish routine practice is marginally lower than in RCTs and (ii) other than genotype, γ-glutamyl transferase emerges as a valuable predictor of an SVR in routine practice. Further, we demonstrate an approach to more clearly discern the predictive value of response predictors.

Granulocytapheresis in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: The management of alcoholic hepatitis remains controversial. Anti-tumour necrosis factor treatments have been studied recently. We piloted the use of granulocytapheresis (GCAP) in the management of severe alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS: GCAP was performed on six patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Their clinical and laboratory progress was reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Six of the patients underwent at least one session of GCAP. Three of the patients had coexistent renal failure and five of the six patients were corticosteroid nonresponders. All patients tolerated the procedure. However, three of the patients died during their hospital admission within 4 days of GCAP treatment. These three patients suffered from torrential variceal haemorrhage, multiorgan failure and pneumonia, respectively. Two patients died 18 and 25 days after their GCAP treatment, both with multiorgan failure. The survivor was the sole corticosteroid responder of the group. There was a trend towards a fall in serum bilirubin level after GCAP, but this did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: GCAP is tolerated in severe alcoholic hepatitis; however, we have no evidence of survival advantage with this treatment.