The role of HBIG in real life for patients undergoing liver transplantation due to HDV-related cirrhosis.

Recommended post-liver transplant (LT) prophylaxis in patients with hepatitis delta includes a nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) and anti-hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) indefinitely. We analysed the use of HBIG in real-life clinical practice and its impact on HBV/HDV recurrence in 174 HDV-related LT patients from 10 Spanish liver transplant centres (1988-2018). Median post-LT follow-up was 7.8 (2.3-15.1) years and patient survival at 5 years was 90%. Most patients (97%) received HBIG in the immediate post-LT, but only 42% were on HBIG at the last control. Among those discontinuing HBIG, the median time on treatment was 18 (7-52) months. Post-LT HBsAg+ was detected in 16 (9%) patients and HBV-DNA in 12 (7%). Despite HBsAg positivity, HDV recurrence was reported only in three patients (1.7%), all of whom were not receiving NA and had discontinued HBIG. Our data suggest that a finite HBIG prophylaxis in HDV-LT is feasible, especially if high-barrier NAs are used.

Thirst distress in outpatients with heart failure in a Mediterranean zone of Spain.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with Heart Failure (TDS-HF) and to describe thirst distress-associated factors in outpatients at a heart failure (HF) clinic in Spain. Thirst is common in patients with HF, but thirst distress has rarely been addressed and may significantly decrease quality of life. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was performed assessing perceived thirst distress by patients with HF during the preceding 3 days, with the TDS-HF (scores 8 to 40). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify variables independently associated with thirst distress. Three-hundred two HF outpatients were included (age 67 ± 12 years, 74% male, HF duration 82 ± 75 months, left ventricular ejection fraction 42 ± 14%). Most patients were on treatment with fluid restriction (99%), sodium restriction (99%), and diuretics (70%). The psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the TDS-HF showed satisfactory item-total and inter-item correlations (range from 0.77 to 0.85 and 0.60 to 0.84, respectively), and internal consistency was 0.95 (Cronbach's alpha). The majority perceived mild to moderate thirst distress, and 18% perceived it as high or severe. The mean score obtained was 16.2 ± 9.3 (median 13, Q1-Q3 8-20). Higher serum urea {beta coefficient 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.267 to 2.92], P = 0.019} and lower potassium [beta coefficient -3.63 (85% CI -6.32 to -0.93), P = 0.009] remained significantly associated with thirst distress in the multivariable analysis, together with the dose of diuretics [beta coefficient 2.98 (95% CI 1.37 to 4.59), P < 0.001]. Treatment with angiotensin receptor blocker showed an independent protective effect [beta coefficient -3.62 (95% CI -6.89 to -0.345), P = 0.03]. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the TDS-HF showed good psychometric properties. One in five patients experienced severe distress by thirst, but the majority had mild to moderate thirst distress. The dose of diuretics and angiotensin receptor blocker treatment influence thirst distress and could be clinically important targets to relieve thirst distress in patients with HF.

Estudio de la calidad asistencial prestada en consultas externas a pacientes con cirrosis hepática / No disponible

INTRODUCCIÓN: la calidad de la asistencia prestada a los pacientes cirróticos se puede medir analizando una serie de indicadores. Los estudios publicados hasta la actualidad muestran una tasa de adherencia a las indicaciones de las guías clínicas del 40-80 %. OBJETIVO: valorar la calidad de la asistencia prestada en un hospital docente de tercer nivel. MÉTODOS: estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes cirróticos controlados durante un semestre en consultas externas. Se han revisado 324 historias clínicas recogiendo 14 indicadores de calidad de cinco dominios diferentes y se ha estudiado la adherencia global y en relación a la experiencia del médico responsable. RESULTADOS: excelentes (más del 90 % de adherencia) en indicadores relacionados con documentación de la etiología de la cirrosis y profilaxis de la hemorragia digestiva por varices; aceptables (60-90 %) en despistaje del carcinoma hepatocelular y valoración de la gravedad de la enfermedad; y malos (menos del 50 %) en vacunaciones. Los residentes obtuvieron significativamente mejores resultados que los adjuntos en etiología, valoración de la gravedad y dos indicadores de profilaxis de hemorragia digestiva. Por su parte, los adjuntos presentaron mejores resultados en el despistaje de carcinoma hepatocelular. CONCLUSIONES: a pesar de haber obtenido excelentes resultados en algunos indicadores, muchos deben ser mejorados, especialmente las vacunaciones. La calidad asistencial prestada por los residentes es igual o incluso mejor que la prestada por los adjuntos. Analizar la calidad asistencial es esencial para medir y mejorar la atención prestada a los pacientes cirróticos, y puede ser una herramienta muy eficaz para supervisar a los especialistas en formación

No disponible

Quality of care provided to outpatients with hepatic cirrhosis in a teaching hospital.

INTRODUCTION: a set of indicators to measure the quality of care of cirrhotic patients has been established and previously published studies report an adherence rate to clinical guide indications of 40-80 %. OBJECTIVE: to assess the adherence to quality indicators in a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS: a retrospective observational study was performed of all cirrhotic outpatients seen during one semester in 2017. The charts were studied of 324 patients and quality indicators related to five domains were collected. An overall adherence to 14 quality indicators was recorded and analyzed based on the attending physician's experience. RESULTS: the results were excellent (more than 90 % adherence) for quality indicators related to prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and documentation of cirrhosis etiology, acceptable (60-90 % adherence) for hepatocellular carcinoma screening and disease severity assessment, and poor (less than 50 %) for vaccinations. Residents had significantly better results than experienced physicians in etiology, disease severity assessment and two indicators of prophylaxis of bleeding. Experienced physicians only presented a better adherence to hepatocellular carcinoma screening. CONCLUSIONS: despite excellent results for some quality indicators, most required improvement, especially vaccinations. The quality of care achieved by residents is equal to and even better than that of experienced physicians. Measuring quality of care is essential to analyze and improve the health care of cirrhotic outpatients and may be a useful tool for supervising specialists in training.

The real-life value of ST2 monitoring during heart failure decompensation: impact on long-term readmission and mortality.

CONTEXT: Prognostic value of ST2 levels and dynamics has not been investigated in acute heart failure (AHF) using prospective real-life measurements. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of ST2 in AHF. METHODS: ST2 levels were determined at admission (n = 182) and discharge (n = 85). Primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death and HF rehospitalisation at one year. RESULTS: Discharge ST2 (HR 2.42 [95% CI 1.46-4], p = 0.001) and ΔST2 (HR 2.32 [95% CI 1.21-4.57], p = 0.01) but not admission ST2, remained independently prognostic for the primary endpoint after comprehensive multivariable adjustment. ST2 significantly improved prognosis stratification on top of clinical variables and NTproBNP. CONCLUSIONS: Routine clinical use of discharge ST2 and ST2 dynamics provide independent prognostic information.