Antiviral therapy substantially reduces HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in the indeterminate phase.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HCC risk in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is higher in the indeterminate phase compared with the inactive phase. However, it is unclear if antiviral therapy reduces HCC risk in this population. We aimed to evaluate the association between antiviral therapy and HCC risk in the indeterminate phase. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We analyzed 855 adult (59% male), treatment-naïve patients with CHB infection without advanced fibrosis in the indeterminate phase at 14 centers (USA, Europe, and Asia). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance the treated (n = 405) and untreated (n = 450) groups. The primary outcome was HCC development. The mean age was 46±13 years, the median alanine transaminase was 38 (interquartile range, 24-52) U/L, the mean HBV DNA was 4.5±2.1 log 10 IU/mL, and 20% were HBeAg positive. The 2 groups were similar after IPTW. After IPTW (n = 819), the 5-, 10-, and 15-year cumulative HCC incidence was 3%, 4%, and 9% among treated patients (n = 394) versus 3%, 15%, and 19%, among untreated patients (n = 425), respectively ( p = 0.02), with consistent findings in subgroup analyses for age >35 years, males, HBeAg positive, HBV DNA>1000 IU/mL, and alanine transaminase

Treatment and Renal Outcomes Up to 96 Weeks After Tenofovir Alafenamide Switch From Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Routine Practice.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Real-world data for treatment effectiveness and renal outcomes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were switched to the new and safer prodrug tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate treatment and renal outcomes of this population. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We analyzed 834 patients with CHB previously treated with TDF for ≥12 months who were switched to TAF in routine practice at 13 US and Asian centers for changes in viral (HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL), biochemical (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] < 35/25 U/L for male/female), and complete (viral+biochemical) responses, as well as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters) up to 96 weeks after switch. Viral suppression (P < 0.001) and ALT normalization (P = 0.003) rates increased significantly after switch, with a trend for increasing complete response (Ptrend = 0.004), while the eGFR trend (Ptrend  > 0.44) or mean eGFR (P > 0.83, adjusted for age, sex, baseline eGFR, and diabetes, hypertension, or cirrhosis by generalized linear modeling) remained stable. However, among those with baseline eGFR < 90 (chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage ≥2), mean eGFR decreased significantly while on TDF (P = 0.029) but not after TAF switch (P = 0.90). By week 96, 21% (55/267) of patients with CKD stage 2 at switch improved to stage 1 and 35% (30/85) of CKD stage 3-5 patients improved to stage 2 and 1.2% (1/85) to stage 1. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we observed continued improvement in virologic response, ALT normalization, and no significant changes in eGFR following switch to TAF from TDF.

Initial Evaluation, Long-Term Monitoring, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance of Chronic Hepatitis B in Routine Practice: A Nationwide US Study.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies, mostly small and single center, have shown gaps in the evaluation and monitoring of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. We aimed to examine the rates and predictors of adherence to guidelines for CHB care in a large nationwide cohort. METHODS: We identified adult patients with CHB infection from the Truven MarketScan databases of commercially insured and Medicare patients with private insurance supplement (2007-2014) using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. The initial evaluation cohort had at least 6 months follow-up, whereas at least 12 months was required for the long-term monitoring cohort. RESULTS: We analyzed 55,317 eligible patients with CHB infection: mean age 46 ± 12 years, 58% men, and 14.8% with cirrhosis. Over a mean follow-up of 3.2 ± 2.3 years, 55.8% had specialist (gastroenterology or infectious diseases) visits. For initial evaluation, 59% of patients received both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA tests, whereas only 33% had ALT, HBV DNA, and hepatitis B e antigen tests, with higher frequencies among patients with specialist visits. For long-term monitoring, only 25% had both ALT and HBV DNA tests performed annually. Among patients at higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (patients with cirrhosis, male patients without cirrhosis older than 40 years, and female patients without cirrhosis older than 50), less than 40% underwent annual hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance, with 25% never receiving surveillance during the study period. Predictors of optimal initial evaluation and long-term monitoring were compensated cirrhosis (odds ratio: 1.60 and 1.47, respectively) and specialist visits (odds ratio: 1.86 and 1.31, respectively) (both P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: In this large cohort of patients with CHB infection with private insurance or Medicare with private insurance supplement, we observed poor adherence to the recommended initial evaluation and long-term monitoring. Among the predictors of adherence were specialist visits. Further efforts are needed to identify barriers and improve access to care.

High hepatitis C virus cure rates with approved interferon-free direct-acting antivirals among diverse mainland Chinese patients including genotypes 3a and 3b.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Globally, China has the highest chronic hepatitis C (CHC) burden, but its real-world direct-acting antiviral (DAA) data are limited. Our aim is to investigate the real-world outcome of China Food and Drug Administration-approved DAA therapies across mainland China including those with genotype (GT) 3. METHODS: The REAL-C is a multinational real-world interferon-free DAA-treated CHC registry of several mainland China and other Asian centers. We evaluated the sustained virological response rate 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12), adverse events, and treatment effect on liver function and fibrosis (fibrosis-4 index). RESULTS: We analyzed 859 DAA-treated CHC patients (6/1/2017-5/30/2019) from 12 mainland China centers (three municipalities and nine provinces): median age 52, 49.9% male, 33.1% cirrhosis, 95% treatment naïve, and 2.5% HBsAg+ . The most common GT was GT1b (523, 62.2%), followed by GT2a (156, 18.5%), GT3b (74, 8.8%), GT3a (41, 4.9%), and GT6 (37, 4.4%). SVR12 rates were 98.0% overall (95% confidence interval 96.9-98.8%), 98.1% for GT1b, 96.8% GT2a, 100% GT3a, 97.3% GT3b, and 100% GT6. Baseline cirrhosis and male sex but not prior treatment history, renal dysfunction, age, and GTs were associated with SVR12. For both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, there were significant improvement in liver function tests, alpha fetoprotein, and fibrosis-4 index with SVR12. Serious adverse events were rare (1.1%) with only nine patients discontinuing therapy prematurely and anemia being the most common adverse event (13.1%, mostly with ribavirin). CONCLUSIONS: In real-world Chinese patients with diverse GTs, Chinese Food and Drug Administration-approved interferon-free DAAs were well tolerated, provided high cure rates (98.0% overall) including GT3a/3b, and led to improvement of liver function.

Hepatitis C Virus Cure Rates Are Reduced in Patients With Active but Not Inactive Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Practice Implication.

BACKGROUND: Cure rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for patients with active and inactive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may differ, but well-controlled studies are limited. We aimed to evaluate DAA outcomes in a large East Asian HCV/HCC population compared with HCV/non-HCC patients. METHODS: Using data from the Real-World Evidence from the Asia Liver Consortium (REAL-C) registry (Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan), we used propensity score matching (PSM) to match HCC and non-HCC (1:1) groups for age, sex, cirrhosis, prior treatment, HCV genotype, treatment regimen, baseline platelet count, HCV RNA, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and albumin levels to evaluate DAA treatment outcomes in a large population of HCV/HCC compared with HCV/non-HCC patients. RESULTS: We included 6081 patients (HCC, n = 465; non-HCC, n = 5 616) treated with interferon-free DAAs. PSM of the entire study population yielded 436 matched pairs with similar baseline characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall SVR rate of HCC (92.7%) and non-HCC (95.0%) groups. Rates of treatment discontinuation, adverse effects, and death were also similar between HCC and non-HCC groups. Among patients with HCC, those with active HCC had a lower SVR than inactive HCC cases (85.5% vs 93.7%; P = .03). On multivariable analysis, active HCC, but not inactive HCC, was significantly associated with lower SVR (OR, 0.28; P = .01) when compared with non-HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Active HCC but not inactive HCC was independently associated with lower SVR compared with non-HCC patients undergoing DAA therapy, although cure rate was still relatively high (85%) in active HCC patients.

Incidence and predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma in NAFLD without diagnosed cirrhosis: a nationwide real-world U.S. study.

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) do not have cirrhosis. Data regarding the incidence and predictors of HCC development in NAFLD without cirrhosis are limited. We conducted a large, national study of NAFLD patients without documented cirrhosis to examine the incidence and predictors for HCC development. METHODS: This retrospective study included 751,603 NAFLD patients (54% female) without documented cirrhosis derived from the deidentified Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart Database. Patients with cirrhosis, platelets < 120,000/µL or FIB-4 values > 2.67 were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.7 ± 15.0 years, 45.9% were male, 39.5% had diabetes, 57.6% were White, 18.4% Hispanic, 8.2% Black and 4.9% were Asian. The mean platelet count was 264,000 ± 72,000/µL, and 96.3% of patients had a FIB-4 < 1.30. Over 1,686,607 person-years of follow-up, there were 76 incident cases of HCC, resulting in an HCC incidence rate of 0.05 per 1000 person-years. There was a higher HCC incidence rate among patients with platelets ≤ 150,000/µL, versus those with platelets > 150,000/µL (0.23 per 1000 person-years, vs. 0.04 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.02) but not in subgroup analyses for age, sex, race/ethnicity or diabetes. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusted multiple confounders, platelet count ≤ 150,000/µL remained an independent predictor of HCC development (adjusted HR 5.80, 95% CI 1.67-20.1, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: HCC incidence in NAFLD without documented cirrhosis was below the threshold for cost-effective HCC surveillance in overall and multiple subgroup analyses. Platelet count < 150,000/µL may be a useful predictor of HCC development in this population.

Updates in characteristics and survival rates of cirrhosis in a nationwide cohort of real-world U.S. patients, 2003-2021.

BACKGROUND: Adverse outcomes of cirrhosis remain a top priority. AIMS: We examined the distribution of cirrhosis causes, HCC incidence and mortality and related changes over time in a nationwide U.S. METHODS: A retrospective study of a national sample of commercially insured patients with cirrhosis from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (CDM). RESULTS: A total of 628,743 cirrhosis cases were identified with 45% having NAFLD, 19.5% HCV, and 16.3% ALD. African Americans had the highest rate of decompensation (60.6%), while Asians had the highest rate of HCC (2.4%), both p < 0.001. African Americans more frequently had HCV (28.4%) while Hispanic/Latinos more frequently had NAFLD (49.2%, p < 0.001). Patients in the 2014-2021 cohort were significantly older (63.0 ± 12.8 vs. 57.0 ± 14.3), less frequently decompensated (54.5% vs. 58.3%) but more frequently had HCC (1.7% vs. 0.6%) and NAFLD (46.5% vs. 44.2%), all p < 0.001. The overall annual incidence of HCC was 0.76% (95% CI: 0.75-0.77) with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 4.03% (95% CI: 3.98-4.09), with significant variation by sex, race/ethnicity, and cirrhosis aetiology. The overall median years of survival were 11.4 (95% CI: 11.3-11.5) with a 5-year cumulative survival of 73.4% (95% CI: 73.3%-73.6%), also with significant disparities in similar subgroups (lowest in cryptogenic cirrhosis and worse in 2014-2021 vs. 2003-2013). The 2014-2021 period was independently associated with worse survival (aHR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08-1.20). CONCLUSIONS: HCC incidence and survival vary by aetiology among patients with cirrhosis, with cryptogenic cirrhosis having the lowest survival and lower survival in the more recent time period.

Real-world Effectiveness and Tolerability of Interferon-free Direct-acting Antiviral for 15,849 Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Multinational Cohort Study.

Background and Aims: As practice patterns and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GT) vary geographically, a global real-world study from both East and West covering all GTs can help inform practice policy toward the 2030 HCV elimination goal. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of DAA treatment in routine clinical practice in a multinational cohort for patients infected with all HCV GTs, focusing on GT3 and GT6. Methods: We analyzed the sustained virological response (SVR12) of 15,849 chronic hepatitis C patients from 39 Real-World Evidence from the Asia Liver Consortium for HCV clinical sites in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe between 07/01/2014-07/01/2021. Results: The mean age was 62±13 years, with 49.6% male. The demographic breakdown was 91.1% Asian (52.9% Japanese, 25.7% Chinese/Taiwanese, 5.4% Korean, 3.3% Malaysian, and 2.9% Vietnamese), 6.4% White, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1% Black/African-American. Additionally, 34.8% had cirrhosis, 8.6% had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 24.9% were treatment-experienced (20.7% with interferon, 4.3% with direct-acting antivirals). The largest group was GT1 (10,246 [64.6%]), followed by GT2 (3,686 [23.2%]), GT3 (1,151 [7.2%]), GT6 (457 [2.8%]), GT4 (47 [0.3%]), GT5 (1 [0.006%]), and untyped GTs (261 [1.6%]). The overall SVR12 was 96.9%, with rates over 95% for GT1/2/3/6 but 91.5% for GT4. SVR12 for GT3 was 95.1% overall, 98.2% for GT3a, and 94.0% for GT3b. SVR12 was 98.3% overall for GT6, lower for patients with cirrhosis and treatment-experienced (TE) (93.8%) but ≥97.5% for treatment-naive patients regardless of cirrhosis status. On multivariable analysis, advanced age, prior treatment failure, cirrhosis, active HCC, and GT3/4 were independent predictors of lower SVR12, while being Asian was a significant predictor of achieving SVR12. Conclusions: In this diverse multinational real-world cohort of patients with various GTs, the overall cure rate was 96.9%, despite large numbers of patients with cirrhosis, HCC, TE, and GT3/6. SVR12 for GT3/6 with cirrhosis and TE was lower but still excellent (>91%).

Updates in Characteristics and Survival Rates of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Nationwide Cohort of Real-World US Patients, 2003-2021.

Background & Aim: Causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may change as treatments become available for some liver diseases. We examined the distribution of HCC cause and survival of a nationwide cohort of insured patients. Methods: Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (CDM), 2003-2021. Results: A total of 34707 patients with HCC were included: mean age: 68.3±11.6 years, 61% male, 62% Caucasian, 74% cirrhosis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was the most common etiology (38.9%), then hepatitis C virus (HCV) (25.3%), cryptogenic (18.0%), alcohol-associated liver disease (9.4%), other liver diseases (5.8%) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) at 2.6%. NAFLD patients were the oldest (mean age 71.1±11.2) and had the highest Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (mean 10.5±3.9), while HCV were the youngest (mean age 64.2±9.2 years) and HBV had the lowest CCI (mean 7.2±4.4) (both P<0.0001). The overall 5-year survival was 18.8% (95% CI 18.2-19.3) but was lower in the recent 2014-2021 period vs 2003-2013 (18.1% vs 19.5%, P=0.003). The 2014-2021 cohort (inclusive of HCV treatment advances) was significantly older, with more females, fewer Caucasians, more African Americans, more Hispanics, fewer Asians, more cirrhosis, more NAFLD, and higher CCI (all P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, males (aHR: 1.13), Caucasians (aHR: 1.46), African Americans (aHR: 1.53) and Hispanics (aHR: 1.28) vs Asians, 2014-2021 (vs 2003-2013) cohort (aHR: 1.12), NAFLD (aHR: 1.14) or cryptogenic liver disease (aHR: 1.45) were associated with increased mortality (all P<0.001). Conclusion: HCC patients in more recent time 2014-2021 were more likely to be older, more likely to have nonviral etiology, and had worse survival compared to those from 2003 to 2013.

Real-world treatment outcome with protease inhibitor direct-acting antiviral in advanced hepatitis C cirrhosis: a REAL-C study.

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines discourage the use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) containing protease-inhibitor (PI) in advanced HCV cirrhosis. We aimed to compare the real-world tolerability of PI vs. non-PI DAA regimens in this population. METHODS: We identified advanced cirrhosis patients treated with DAA from the REAL-C registry. The primary outcome was significant worsening or improvement in CPT or MELD scores following DAA treatment. RESULTS: From the REAL-C registry of 15,837 patients, we included 1077 advanced HCV cirrhosis patients from 27 sites. 42% received PI-based DAA. Compared to non-PI group, the PI group was older, had higher MELD and higher percentage with kidney disease. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW; matching on age, sex, history of clinical decompensation, MELD, platelet, albumin, Asia site, Asian ethnicity, hypertension, hemoglobin, genotype, liver cancer, ribavirin) was used to balance the two groups. In the IPTW-matched cohorts, the PI and non-PI groups had similar SVR12 (92.9% vs. 90.7%, p = 0.30), similar percentages of significant worsening in CTP or MELD scores at posttreatment week 12 and 24 (23.9% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.07 and 16.5% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.77), and similar frequency of new HCC, decompensating event, and death by posttreatment week 24. In multivariable analysis, PI-based DAA was not associated with significant worsening (adjusted odds ratio = 0.82, 95% CI 0.38-1.77). CONCLUSION: Tolerability and treatment outcomes were not significantly different in advanced HCV cirrhosis treated with PI-based (vs. non-PI) DAA up to CTP-B or MELD score of 15. Safety of PI-based DAA in those with CTP-C or MELD beyond 15 awaits further data.

Family planning in a sub-district near Kumasi, Ghana: side effect fears, unintended pregnancies and misuse of a medication as emergency contraception.

The Barekuma Collaborative Community Development Project (BCCDP) performed a study regarding family planning in communities in the Barekese sub-district near Kumasi, Ghana in July 2010. Eighty-five women, ages 15-49 years, in three communities were interviewed with a modified version of the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. While virtually all women recognized at least one family planning method, half of all recent or current pregnancies were unintended and 20 percent of women had a previous abortion. Unexpectedly, 27 percent of women had misused norethisterone tablets (Primolut N or "N-tablets"), a synthetic progesterone, as emergency contraception. Women had a variety of concerns about family planning methods, including one-third having a fear of side effects for hormonal methods (particularly heart palpitations), as well as unfamiliarity with and particular aspects they did not like for most methods. However, women were interested in learning more about side effects as well as modern fertility awareness-based methods. There is an urgent need for interventions aimed at regulating and implementing the correct use of Primolut N tablets, addressing real and perceived side effects of family planning practices through properly trained community health nurses and introducing modern methods of fertility awareness such as Standard Days Method and the Two-day Method in the Barekese sub-district.

Preoperative Endoscopic Findings in Veterans Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Prevalence and Predictors of Barrett's Esophagus.

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus regarding the need for routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in patients before bariatric surgery. The aim of our study is to determine the frequency and predictors of EGD findings in a Veteran population presenting for bariatric surgery. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of Veterans who underwent RYGB or LSG, at a Veterans Affairs hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. All patients received a preoperative EGD. Data abstracted included demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and EGD findings. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for common EGD pathologies. RESULTS: Of the 260 Veterans included in our cohort, majority were male (75.0%), Caucasian (73.5%), and aged 54.0 ± 9.0 years old with a BMI of 44.9 ± 7.0 kg/m2. Most had hypertension (78.9%), previously smoked (63.9%), and recently used a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (53.1%). One third of Veterans had a completely normal preoperative EGD. Common preoperative EGD findings included gastritis (35.8%), hiatal hernia (25.8%), esophagitis (20.8%), duodenitis (10.4%), Barrett's esophagus (7.4%), and Helicobacter pylori infection (4.6%). Preoperative predictors for a normal EGD were female gender, absence of hypertension, and no recent PPI use. Preoperative predictors of Barrett's esophagus included older age, recent PPI use, and recent histamine H2 receptor blocker (H2B) use. Increased age, male gender, and PPI use were associated with a change in surgical and/or medical management. CONCLUSION: Preoperative factors can be used to identify patients at risk for gastroesophageal pathology. Our data support preoperative EGD especially in older males with a history of PPI or H2B use.

Diagnosis Rates of Chronic Hepatitis B in Privately Insured Patients in the United States.

Importance: To achieve the World Health Organization goal of viral hepatitis elimination by 2030, it is important to estimate current rates of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To provide an accurate accounting of the number of patients with CHB aged 6 years or older who have not yet been diagnosed in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used the commercial US Truven Health MarketScan Database (138 634 154 privately insured individuals in January 2007 to December 2014) to identify patients with CHB diagnosis and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the actual number of privately insured persons with CHB. Based on sex and age distribution derived from the US Census Bureau, we calculated the total population with CHB and the proportion of those who remained undiagnosed among the 198 073 302 privately insured individuals. Next, we identified diagnosed CHB patients who received 1 or more prescription for CHB medications to calculate the treatment rate for those with severe disease states, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, that would warrant treatment. Analyses were performed from October 2017 to January 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: The rate and number of patients with CHB who remained undiagnosed and treatment rates for patients with CHB who have cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: Among the 198 073 302 privately insured individuals (48.55% male; 15.52% aged 6-17 years; 84.48% aged ≥18 years), there were 511 029 (95% CI, 317 733-704 325) individuals with CHB, but only 95 075 of these had been diagnosed, yielding a diagnosis rate of only 18.60% (95% CI, 13.50%-29.92%), meaning that 81.40% (95% CI, 70.08%-86.50%) were undiagnosed. The treatment rates were 34.79% (95% CI, 33.31%-36.27%) for those with cirrhosis and 48.64% (95% CI, 45.59%-51.69%) for those with hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, only approximately 1 in 5 privately insured patients with CHB had been diagnosed. Only one-third of patients with CHB who had cirrhosis and one-half who had hepatocellular carcinoma received antiviral therapy. Further efforts are needed to improve the current situation of poor connection to care for patients with CHB, especially for those with advanced liver disease.

Direct-acting antivirals in East Asian hepatitis C patients: real-world experience from the REAL-C Consortium.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: One-third of the global hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden is found in Asia. Real-world data from diverse East Asian cohorts remain limited. This study addressed the real-world status of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy among patients from East Asia. METHODS: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients from clinical sites in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong were recruited in the REAL-C registry, an observational chart review registry. The primary outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR12, HCV RNA PCR < 25 IU/mL 12 week post-therapy). RESULTS: A total of 6287 CHC patients were enrolled. Compared to other East Asian patients, patients from Japan were older (66.3 vs. 61.5 years, p < 0.0001), had lower body mass indices (22.9 kg/m2 vs. 24.6 kg/m2, p < 0.001), and were more likely to have non-liver malignancy history (12.2% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001).The overall SVR12 rate was 96.4%, similar to patients both inside and outside Japan (96.6% vs. 96%, p = 0.21). The SVR12 rate ranged from 91.1 to 99.4% except treatment-experienced cirrhotic HCV genotype-1 patients who received daclatasvir/asunaprevir (85.9%) and the treatment-experienced cirrhotic HCV genotype-2 patients treated with sofosbuvir/ribavirin (87%). The overall rate of drug discontinuation was 1.9%, also similar across regions. On multivariate regression analyses, there was no significant association between geographic region and SVR outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this large multinational CHC cohort from the East Asia, oral DAAs were highly effective and well tolerated across the region. Policies should encourage treatment for all CHC patients with DAAs in Asia with its heavy burden of HCV.

Folate intake at RDA levels is inadequate for Mexican American men with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype.

Since the establishment of the 1998 folate recommended dietary allowance (RDA), the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T variant has emerged as a strong modifier of folate status. This controlled feeding study investigated the adequacy of the RDA, 400 microg/d as dietary folate equivalents (DFE), for Mexican American men with the MTHFR 677CC or TT genotype. Because of the interdependency between folate and choline, the influence of choline intake on folate status was also assessed. Mexican American men (n = 60; 18-55 y) with the MTHFR 677CC (n = 31) or TT (n = 29) genotype consumed 438 microg DFE/d and total choline intakes of 300, 550 (choline adequate intake), 1100, or 2200 mg/d for 12 wk. Folate status response was assessed via serum folate (SF), RBC folate, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), and urinary folate. SF decreased (P < 0.001) 66% to 7.9 +/- 0.7 nmol/L (means +/- SEM) in men with the 677TT genotype and 62% to 11.3 +/- 0.9 nmol/L in the 677CC genotype. Plasma tHcy increased (P < 0.0001) 170% to 31 +/- 3 micromol/L in men with the 677TT genotype and 18% to 11.6 +/- 0.3 micromol/L in the 677CC genotype. At the end of the study, 34% (677TT) and 16% (677CC) had SF concentrations <6.8 nmol/L and 79% (677TT) and 7% (677CC) had tHcy concentrations >14 micromol/L. Choline intake did not influence the response of the measured variables. These data showed that the folate RDA is not adequate for men of Mexican descent, particularly for those with the MTHFR 677TT genotype, and demonstrated a lack of influence of choline intake on the folate status variables measured in this study.

Rate of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance remains low for a large, real-life cohort of patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cirrhosis, imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recommended every 6 months to maximise eligibility for curative treatment. The aim was to determine the adherence rate and outcomes among patients with CHC cirrhosis and whether the adherence rate has improved over time. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with CHC cirrhosis (n=2366) monitored for ≥1 year at Stanford University Medical Center between January 2001 and August 2015. RESULTS: Overall demographics: mean age 54; 62.3% men; 48.3% Caucasian. 24.4% adherent to imaging every 6 months per European Association for the Study of the Liver 2000 and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2011 criteria and 44% at least every 12 months per AASLD 2005 criteria. No significant change in adherence before and after 2011. Predictors of multivariable analysis of adherence were age >54 (OR 1.74, p<0.0001), Asian ethnicity (OR 2.23, p<0.0001), liver decompensation (OR 2.40, p<0.0001) and having ≥2 clinical visits per year (OR 1.33, p=0.01). During follow-up, 9.6% were diagnosed with HCC. Adherent patients were more likely to have smaller tumours (2.3 vs 3.3 cm, p=0.0020), be within the Milan criteria for liver transplants (73.2% vs 54.8%, p=0.006) and receive curative HCC treatment (43.6% vs 24.0%, p=0.005). On multivariable analysis, curative treatment (HR 0.32, p=0.001) and every 6-month imaging (HR 0.34, p=0.005), but not every 6-12 month imaging, were associated with reduced risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to HCC surveillance continues to be poor. Adherent patients with HCC were more likely to undergo curative treatment and have better survival. Research understanding barriers to surveillance is needed.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 and bone therapy: successes and pitfalls.

OBJECTIVES: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), more specifically BMP-2, are being increasingly used in orthopaedic surgery due to advanced research into osteoinductive factors that may enhance and improve bone therapy. There are many areas in therapy that BMP-2 is being applied to, including dental treatment, open tibial fractures, cancer and spinal surgery. Within these areas of treatment, there are many reports of successes and pitfalls. This review explores the use of BMP-2 and its successes, pitfalls and future prospects in bone therapy. METHODS: The PubMed database was consulted to compile this review. KEY FINDINGS: With successes in therapy, there were descriptions of a more rapid healing time with no signs of rejection or infection attributed to BMP-2 treatment. Pitfalls included BMP-2 'off-label' use, which lead to various adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our search highlighted that optimising treatment with BMP-2 is a direction that many researchers are exploring, with areas of current research interest including concentration and dose of BMP-2, carrier type and delivery.

Impact of a nursing-driven sleep hygiene protocol on sleep quality.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact on sleep quality of a nursing-driven sleep hygiene protocol (SHP) instituted in a single burn-trauma intensive care unit. Criteria for eligibility were adult patients admitted to the Burn Service who were not delirious, able to respond verbally, and had not received general anesthesia in the prior 24 hours. Patients were surveyed using the validated Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire prior to implementation ("PRE"; May to December 2010) and following implementation ("POST"; January to August 2011) of a SHP that sought to minimize environmental stimuli and limit disruptions during the night. This analysis includes only initial survey responses from each patient. A total of 130 patients were surveyed, 81 PRE and 49 POST; 60% were burn admissions. There was no significant difference in responses to the questionnaire between burn and nonburn patients. All patients in the POST group were significantly older and more frequently endorsed taking sleep medication at home. Although not significant, POST patients reported falling asleep somewhat more quickly, but no other differences were identified between the two groups. Among patients who reported having sleep difficulties prior to admission, POST patients not only reported a significantly higher pain score than PRE patients, but also reported significant improvement in falling asleep and being able to go back to sleep. Frequency of complaints of sleep disruption was unchanged between PRE and POST patients. POST patients did complain significantly less than PRE patients about sleep disruptions by clinicians. Implementation of the SHP permitted acutely injured or ill patients in our intensive care unit to fall asleep more quickly and to experience fewer sleep disruptions. A sleep protocol may be helpful in improving sleep and overall well-being of burn center patients.