Patient-Predicted Outcomes Are Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive liver disease, and many patients ultimately require liver transplantation (LT). PSC also confers an increased risk of malignancies, including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and colorectal cancer. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate patient-perceived outcomes and the extent to which these impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Patients with PSC completed a risk perception questionnaire, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire. Multivariable models were used to determine factors associated with patient-perceived risks of malignancy, LT, and life expectancy, as well as their relationship with HRQoL scores. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients completed the risk perception questionnaire, and 73 returned the remaining instruments. The estimated risks varied widely. Half overestimated their one-year or lifetime CCA risk, while some predicted zero chance. Predicted LT risk was the only outcome concordant with disease severity. Pruritus was associated with higher predicted one-year risks and lower life expectancy. Lifetime CCA and LT risks were associated with the SF-36 physical component score, while perceived life expectancy was strongly associated with mental health domains, including the SF-36 mental component score. CONCLUSIONS: Predicted prognosis varies widely among patients with PSC and is influenced more by symptoms than objective disease severity. The psychological burden of shorter perceived life expectancy impacts mental HRQoL more than the risks of malignancy or LT. These findings highlight an opportunity for improved patient communication regarding these outcomes, as well as the importance of discussing them, as they may impact HRQoL.

Socioeconomic Status Is Associated with the Risk of Hepatic Encephalopathy after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation.

PURPOSE: To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) risk after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-institution retrospective study included 368 patients (mean age = 56.7 years; n = 229 males) from 5 states who underwent TIPS creation. SES was estimated using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality SES index, a metric based on neighborhood housing, education, and income statistics. Episodes of new or worsening HE after TIPS creation, defined as hospitalization for HE or escalation in outpatient medical therapy, were identified from medical records. Multivariable ordinal regression, negative binomial regression, and competing risks survival analysis were used to identify factors associated with SES quartile, the number of episodes of new or worsening HE per unit time after TIPS creation, and mortality after TIPS creation, respectively. RESULTS: There were 83, 113, 99, and 73 patients in the lowest, second, third, and highest SES quartiles, respectively. In multivariable regression, only older age (ß = 0.04, confidence interval [CI] = 0.02-0.05; P < .001) and white, non-Hispanic ethnicity (ß = 0.64, CI = 0.07-1.21; P = .03) were associated with higher SES quartile. In multivariable regression, lower SES quartile (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.80, CI = 0.68-0.94; P = .004), along with older age, male sex, higher model for end-stage liver disease score, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and proton pump inhibitor use were associated with higher rates of HE after TIPS creation. Ethnicity was not associated with the rate of HE after TIPS creation (IRR = 0.77, CI = 0.46-1.29; P = .28). In multivariable survival analysis, neither SES quartile nor ethnicity predicted mortality after creation of a TIPS. CONCLUSION: Lower SES is associated with higher rates of new or worsening HE after TIPS creation.

Recent updates in preemptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for acute variceal bleeding.

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Racial disparities in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure is an important intervention for management of complications of portal hypertension. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of mortality from the TIPS procedure with a focus on race and ethnicity. DESIGN: TIPS procedures from 2012 to 2014 in the National Inpatient Sample were identified. Weighting was applied to generate nationally representative results. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome of interest. χ2 and Student's t-tests were performed for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Predictors of mortality following TIPS were assessed by survey-weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: 17 175 (95% CI 16 254 to 18 096) TIPS cases were identified. Approximately 71% were non-Hispanic (NH) white, 6% were NH black, 16% were Hispanic and 7% were other. NH black patients undergoing TIPS had an in-hospital mortality rate of 20.1%, nearly double the in-hospital mortality of any other racial or ethnic group. NH black patients also had significantly longer median postprocedure and total lengths of stay (p=0.03 and p<0.001, respectively). The interaction of race by clinical indication was a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (p<0.001). NH black patients had increased mortality compared with other racial/ethnic groups when presenting with bleeding oesophageal varices (OR 3.85, 95% CI 2.14 to 6.95). CONCLUSION: This cohort study presents important findings in end-stage liver disease care, with clear racial disparities in in-hospital outcomes following the TIPS procedure. Specifically, black patients had significantly higher in-hospital mortality and longer lengths of stay. Further research is needed to understand how we can better care for black patients with liver disease.

Intravenous corticosteroid therapy for bilateral parsonage-turner syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is a distinct clinical disorder characterized by pain, sensory loss, and impaired mobility of the upper extremities and, less commonly, the lower extremities. Manifestations vary from minor to fairly extensive involvement of the brachial and/or lumbosacral plexus. No evidence-based treatment protocol exists, with only anecdotal support of varied palliative efforts. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of PTS in an otherwise healthy 19-year-old man presenting with severe neuropathic pain in the right upper extremity progressing to include weakness and contralateral extremity involvement. Intravenous corticosteroids were initiated with resolution of the pain after the first day of therapy and improvement in muscular strength throughout his hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: This case supports the use of intravenous corticosteroids in the literature as a treatment option for PTS to ameliorate intractable pain as well as to impede the progression of motor dysfunction.