ABSTRACT
Previously, liver lesions in cirrhosis were considered irreversible, especially because the condition aggravated gradually after entering the decompensated phase, thus making it difficult to return to the compensated phase. At present, more and more evidence shows that some patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis can be recompensated after the cause is controlled and complications are managed. This article explores the research progress related to LC reversal and recompensation from three aspects: liver histopathology, liver function, and clinical complications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/complicationsABSTRACT
Recent studies suggest that recompensation of liver function appears in decompensated cirrhosis after effective treatment. However, liver function recompensation degree, recompensation evaluation diagnostic criteria, how to predict recompensation from the perspective of liver function, and others still need to be further explored. Therefore, functional recompensation is explored here from the perspective of decompensated-stage cirrhosis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Liver Cirrhosis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Cirrhosis recompensation is a new concept proposed in recent years to describe the clinical stage of the overall reversal of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The recompensation of cirrhosis is discussed here from the perspective of clinical complications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/complicationsABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the occurrence of recompensation conditions in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis after entecavir antiviral therapy. Methods: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis with ascites as the initial manifestation were prospectively enrolled. Patients who received entecavir treatment for 120 weeks and were followed up every 24 weeks (including clinical endpoint events, hematological and imaging indicators, and others) were calculated for recompensation rates according to the Baveno VII criteria. Measurement data were compared using the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test between groups. Categorical data were compared by the χ (2) test or Fisher's exact probability method between groups. Results: 283 of the 320 enrolled cases completed the 120-week follow-up, and 92.2% (261/283) achieved a virological response (HBV DNA 20 IU/ml). Child-Pugh and MELD scores were significantly improved after treatment (8.33 ± 1.90 vs. 5.77 ± 1.37, t = 12.70, P < 0.001; 13.37 ± 4.44 vs. 10.45 ± 4.58, t = 5.963, P < 0.001). During the 120-week follow-up period, 14 cases died, two received liver transplants, 19 developed hepatocellular cancer, 11 developed gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, and four developed hepatic encephalopathy. 60.4% (171/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months) and 56.2% (159/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months and improved liver function) of the patients had achieved clinical recompensation within 120 weeks. Patients with baseline MELD scores > 15 after active antiviral therapy achieved higher recompensation than patients with baseline MELD scores ≤15 [50/74 (67.6%) vs. 109/209 (52.2%), χ (2) = 5.275, P = 0.029]. Conclusion: Antiviral therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis. The majority of patients (56.2%) had achieved recompensation. Patients with severe disease did not have a lower probability of recompensation at baseline than other patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Treatment Outcome , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/complications , Hepatitis B/drug therapyABSTRACT
Traditionally, the progression from compensated liver cirrhosis to decompensated liver cirrhosis has been considered an irreversible point in the natural history of the disease; however, with the suppression of underlying etiology, cure, and disease regression, this view is challenged by an increasing number of new evidence, and the idea of “recompensation of liver cirrhosis” is gradually being accepted. In recent years, scholars in China and globally have been exploring the specific definition of recompensation of liver cirrhosis and the clinical features of patients. By summarizing the recent studies on recompensation of liver cirrhosis in China and globally, integrating existing views, and analyzing related research evidence, this article points out the main challenges in the field of recompensation at this stage, including the lack of in-depth clinical and basic research, the need to define recompensation in the context of NAFLD, and related ethical issues, in order to provide new directions for future research in this field.
ABSTRACT
The evolution concept of decompensated cirrhosis rebuilds the clinical staging system for decompensated cirrhosis, which changes the focus from the pattern of disease progression to refining the status of acute decompensation onset and proposing "recompensation" of decompensated cirrhosis. During the process, factors such as portal hypertension and systemic inflammatory changes can affect the clinical outcome of decompensated cirrhotic patients. Significantly, more evidence is warranted to elucidate the clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms of achieving "recompensation" after etiology control, such as in viral hepatitis patients.
ABSTRACT
Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease and as the disease progresses to decompensated stage cirrhosis, the mortality rate of patients’ increases significantly. The goal of controlling the etiology or treatment in decompensated stage cirrhosis is to improve the liver function of patients, stabilize the disease condition or reverse decompensation, reduce the recurrence of decompensated events and reduce the mortality rate. However, presently, there are few studies on the reversal of cirrhotic decompensation/ re-compensation. Moreover, the effect of prophylactic treatment on re-compensation, evaluation indicators and duration of re-compensation, structure of hepatic lobules and whether microvessels can be reconstructed are unclear, so require further research.