Prospective validation of the EASL management algorithm for acute kidney injury in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis is challenging. The EASL guidelines proposed an algorithm for the management of AKI, but this has never been validated. We aimed to prospectively evaluate this algorithm in clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study in consecutive hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and AKI. The EASL management algorithm includes identification/treatment of precipitating factors, 2-day albumin infusion in patients with AKI ≥stage 1B, and treatment with terlipressin in patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-AKI). The primary outcome was treatment response, which included both full and partial response. Secondary outcomes were survival and adverse events associated with terlipressin therapy. RESULTS: A total of 202 AKI episodes in 139 patients were included. Overall treatment response was 80%, while renal replacement therapy was required in only 8%. Response to albumin infusion was achieved in one-third of episodes. Of patients not responding to albumin, most (74%) did not meet the diagnostic criteria of HRS-AKI, with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) being the most common phenotype. The response rate in patients not meeting the criteria for HRS-AKI was 70%. Only 30 patients met the diagnostic criteria for HRS-AKI, and their response rate to terlipressin was 61%. Median time from AKI diagnosis to terlipressin initiation was only 2.5 days. While uNGAL (urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) could differentiate ATN from other phenotypes (AUROC 0.78), it did not predict response to therapy in HRS-AKI. Ninety-day transplant-free survival was negatively associated with MELD-Na, ATN and HRS-AKI as well as uNGAL. Three patients treated with terlipressin developed pulmonary edema. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the EASL AKI algorithm is associated with very good response rates and does not significantly delay initiation of terlipressin therapy. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: The occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cirrhosis is associated with poor short-term mortality. Improving its rapid identification and prompt management was the focus of the recently proposed EASL AKI algorithm. This is the first prospective study demonstrating that high AKI response rates are achieved with the use of this algorithm, which includes identification of AKI, treatment of precipitating factors, a 2-day albumin challenge in patients with AKI ≥1B, and supportive therapy in patients with persistent AKI not meeting HRS-AKI criteria or terlipressin with albumin in those with HRS-AKI. These findings support the use of this algorithm in clinical practice.

Formación en sexología y su influencia en las actitudes de las enfermeras hacia la sexualidad / Sexology training and its influence on nurses’ attitudes toward sexuality

Introducción: Tener unas actitudes tolerantes hacia la sexualidad, junto con la formación en sexología son aspectos clave para favorecer el abordaje de la sexualidad en la práctica profesional de las enfermeras. Por ello, el objetivo principal de este estudio fue comprobar si recibir formación en sexología durante los estudios de Grado en Enfermería influye sobre las actitudes hacia la sexualidad del alumnado. Método: Se realizó un estudio caso-control en 127 estudiantes de la Facultad de Enfermería de Gijón, dividiendo a la muestra en función de si habían recibido o no formación específica en sexología. Para medir dichas actitudes se utilizó una versión adaptada al castellano del Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire (TSAQ), analizándose los datos mediante el programa SPSS. Resultados: Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,015) entre la puntuación media total obtenida en el TSAQ por los estudiantes que sí habían recibido formación en sexología (6,53 ± 0,81) comparada con los que no (6,13 ± 1,06). De igual modo, las actitudes de las personas integrantes de ambos grupos son más liberales para los comportamientos ajenos (7,53 ± 0,76 frente a 7,25 ± 1,06) que para los propios (5,54 ± 1,03 frente a 5,00 ± 1,28), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se verifica que recibir formación en sexología se relaciona con la tenencia de unas actitudes hacia la sexualidad más liberales. Sólo un 24,8% de las Facultades de Enfermería españolas ofertan asignaturas específicas en sexología (AU)

Background: Sexology training and a tolerant attitude towards sexuality are key for nurses to be able to approach the topic appropriately at work. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to determine whether sexology training as part of the nursing degree affects students’ attitudes towards sexuality. Method: A case-control study was performed on 127 students and postgraduates from Facultad de Enfermería de Gijón, dividing the sample in two groups according to their attendance to specific sexology training. The attitudes were assessed using a translated version of Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: There are statistically significant differences (p= 0.015) between the mean total score from the group that had received the training (6.53 ± 0.81) and the mean total score from the group that hadn’t (6.13 ± 1.06). Attitudes from members of both groups were more open towards other people’s behaviour (7.53 ± 0.76 versus 7.25 ± 1.06) than towards their own (5.54 ± 1.03 versus 5.00 ± 1.28), respectively. Conclusions: It is verified that receiving sexology training correlates with more liberal attitudes towards sexuality. Only 24.8% of nursing faculties in Spain offer specific sexology courses (AU)

Alcoholic Foamy Degeneration, an Entity Resembling Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Molecular Profiling.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Alcoholic foamy degeneration (AFD) is a condition with similar clinical presentation to alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), but with a specific histologic pattern. Information regarding the prevalence and prognosis of AFD is scarce and there are no tools for a noninvasive diagnosis. METHODS: A cohort of patients admitted to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona for clinical suspicion of AH who underwent liver biopsy was included. Patients were classified as AFD, AH, or other findings, according to histology. Clinical features, histology, and genetic expression of liver biopsy specimens were analyzed. The accuracy of National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria and laboratory parameters for differential diagnosis were investigated. RESULTS: Of 230 patients with a suspicion of AH, 18 (8%) met histologic criteria for AFD, 184 (80%) had definite AH, and 28 (12%) had other findings. In patients with AFD, massive steatosis was more frequent and the fibrosis stage was lower. AFD was characterized by down-regulation of liver fibrosis and inflammation genes and up-regulation of lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function genes. Patients with AFD had markedly better long-term survival (100% vs 57% in AFD vs AH; P = .002) despite not receiving corticosteroid treatment, even in a model for end-stage liver disease-matched sensitivity analysis. Serum triglyceride levels had an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.886 (95% CI, 0.807-0.964) for the diagnosis of AFD, whereas the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria performed poorly. A 1-step algorithm using triglyceride levels of 225 mg/dL (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.90; and Youden index, 0.67) is proposed for differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: AFD in the setting of suspicion of AH is not uncommon. A differential diagnosis is important because prognosis and treatment differ largely. Triglyceride levels successfully identify most patients with AFD and may be helpful in decision making.

Patterns of kidney dysfunction in acute-on-chronic liver failure: Relationship with kidney and patients' outcome.

Impairment of kidney function is common in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Patterns of kidney dysfunction and their impact on kidney and patient outcomes are ill-defined. Aims of the current study were to investigate patterns of kidney dysfunction and their impact on kidney and patient outcomes in patients with acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis, with or without ACLF. This prospective study includes 639 admissions for AD (232 with ACLF; 407 without) in 518 patients. Data were collected at admission and during hospitalization, and patients were followed up for 3 months. Urine samples were analyzed for kidney biomarkers. Most patients with ACLF (92%) had associated acute kidney injury (AKI), in most cases without previous chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas some had AKI-on-CKD (70% and 22%, respectively). Prevalence of AKI in patients without ACLF was 35% (p < 0.001 vs. ACLF). Frequency of CKD alone was low and similar in both groups (4% and 3%, respectively); only a few patients with ACLF (4%) had no kidney dysfunction. AKI in ACLF was associated with poor kidney and patient outcomes compared with no ACLF (AKI resolution: 54% vs. 89%; 3-month survival: 51% vs. 86%, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). Independent predictive factors of 3-month survival were Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium score, ACLF status, and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). AKI is almost universal in patients with ACLF, sometimes associated with CKD, whereas CKD alone is uncommon. Prognosis of AKI depends on ACLF status. AKI without ACLF has good prognosis. Best predictors of 3-month survival are MELD-Na, ACLF status, and urine NGAL.

Urinary L-FABP is a promising prognostic biomarker of ACLF and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Decompensated cirrhosis (DC) is associated with high mortality, mainly owing to the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Identifying the patients with DC who are at high risk of mortality and ACLF development is an unmet clinical need. Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in several organs and correlates with liver and systemic inflammation. Herein, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of L-FABP in patients with DC. METHODS: A prospective series of 444 patients hospitalized for DC was divided into 2 cohorts: study cohort (305 patients) and validation cohort (139 patients). L-FABP was measured in urine and plasma samples collected at admission. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was also measured in urine samples for comparison. RESULTS: Urine but not plasma L-FABP correlated with 3-month survival on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, urine L-FABP and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Na were the only independent predictors of prognosis. Urine L-FABP levels were higher in patients with ACLF than in those without and also predicted the development of ACLF, together with MELD-Na, during follow-up. In patients with ACLF, urine L-FABP correlated with liver, coagulation, and circulatory failure. Urine L-FABP levels were also increased in patients with acute kidney injury, particularly in those with acute tubular necrosis. The ability of urinary L-FABP to predict survival and ACLF development was confirmed in the validation cohort. Urine NGAL predicted outcome on univariate but not multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary L-FABP levels are independently associated with the 3-month clinical course in patients with DC, in terms of mortality and ACLF development. Urinary L-FABP is a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with DC. LAY SUMMARY: Increased levels of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), a protein related to lipid metabolism, have been associated with liver-related diseases. The present study analyzed urinary L-FABP levels in 2 independent groups of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and showed that higher urinary L-FABP levels correlated with increased mortality and risk of acute-on-chronic liver failure development. Therefore, urinary L-FABP levels could be useful as a new tool to predict complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Sequential changes in urinary biomarker levels in patients with cirrhosis and severe hepatorenal syndrome.

Whether tubular injury develops in patients with acute kidney injury owing to hepatorenal syndrome (AKI-HRS) is controversial. We performed repeated measurements of biomarkers of tubular injury during a 14-day period in 60 patients with cirrhosis and AKI (34 with AKI-HRS meeting the classical definition of type 1 HRS and 26 with AKI owing to acute tubular necrosis, AKI-ATN). Nineteen of 34 patients had resolution of AKI-HRS, while the remainder had persistent AKI-HRS. The persistence of AKI-HRS was associated with remarkably high short-term mortality. There were no significant differences in urinary NGAL or IL-18 between patients with resolution vs those with persistent AKI-HRS throughout the 14-day period. By contrast, biomarker levels were significantly lower in AKI-HRS, even if persistent, compared to AKI-ATN. These findings are highly suggestive of lack of significant tubular injury in AKI-HRS and could be of value in the clinical decision between combined liver-kidney or liver transplantation alone in patients with cirrhosis and AKI candidates to transplantation.

Efectos de un programa de ejercicios aeróbicos y técnicas de relajación sobre el estado de ansiedad, calidad del sueño, depresión y calidad de vida en pacientes con fibromialgia: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Effects of aerobic exercise program and relaxation techniques on anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objective: Fibromyalgia is considered as a combination of physical, psychological and social disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to determine the benefits of aerobic exercise program and progressive relaxation techniques on anxiety, quality of sleep, depression and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Patients and method: An experimental study was performed with a placebo control group. Fifty-six fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to intervention (aerobic exercises+progressive relaxation techniques) and placebo (sham treatment with disconnected magnet therapy device) groups. Outcome measures were anxiety (STAI- State Trait Anxiety Inventory), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh sleep quality index), depression (Beck depression inventory) and quality of life (questionnaire SF-36). Measures were performed at baseline and after 10-weeks treatment.Results: After 10 weeks of treatment, the intervention group showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in sleep duration, trait anxiet and quality of life. Conclusions: The combination of aerobic exercise program and progressive relaxation techniques contribute to improve night rest, trait anxiety and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia (AU)

Fundamento y objetivo: En la fibromialgia están alterados factores físicos, psicológicos y sociales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los beneficios de un programa de ejercicios aeróbicos y técnicas de relajación progresiva sobre la ansiedad, calidad del sueño, depresión y calidad de vida en pacientes con fibromialgia. Pacientes y método: Se realizó un estudio experimental con grupo control placebo. Se asignaron de forma aleatoria 56 pacientes a grupo de intervención (ejercicios aeróbicos+técnicas de relajación progresiva) y a grupo control placebo (programa de magnetoterapia simulada). Las dimensiones de estudio fueron la ansiedad (cuestionario STAI), calidad del sueño (cuestionario de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg), depresión (test de depresión de Beck) y calidad de vida (cuestionario SF-36). Las evaluaciones se realizaron en el momento basal y al finalizar las 10 semanas de tratamiento.Resultados: Finalizadas las 10 semanas de tratamiento, en el grupo de intervención se obtuvieron diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en la duración del sueño, ansiedad rasgo y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Un programa combinado de ejercicios aeróbicos y técnicas de relajación progresiva contribuye a mejorar el descanso nocturno, la ansiedad rasgo y la calidad de vida en pacientes con fibromialgia (AU)

[Effects of aerobic exercise program and relaxation techniques on anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial]. / Efectos de un programa de ejercicios aeróbicos y técnicas de relajación sobre el estado de ansiedad, calidad del sueño, depresión y calidad de vida en pacientes con fibromialgia: ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia is considered as a combination of physical, psychological and social disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to determine the benefits of aerobic exercise program and progressive relaxation techniques on anxiety, quality of sleep, depression and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An experimental study was performed with a placebo control group. Fifty-six fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to intervention (aerobic exercises+progressive relaxation techniques) and placebo (sham treatment with disconnected magnet therapy device) groups. Outcome measures were anxiety (STAI- State Trait Anxiety Inventory), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh sleep quality index), depression (Beck depression inventory) and quality of life (questionnaire SF-36). Measures were performed at baseline and after 10-weeks treatment. RESULTS: After 10 weeks of treatment, the intervention group showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in sleep duration, trait anxiety and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of aerobic exercise program and progressive relaxation techniques contribute to improve night rest, trait anxiety and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.