Hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C assessed by transient elastography: implications for determining the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of combination therapy with peginterferon plus ribavirin to eradicate viral infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is well established; moreover, it is able to arrest or even reverse liver fibrosis. AIMS: To analyze the measurements of hepatic stiffness as an index of liver fibrosis using transient elastography (TE) in patients who underwent a sustained virological response (SVR) during long-term follow-up; comparing the changes in the severity of fibrosis with non-responders patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After hepatic fibrosis was studied in three patients with CHC who underwent a SVR during long-term follow up, a prospective study was initiated in 24 patients with CHC who received combination therapy to compare the evolution of fibrosis in those with SVR and those who were non-responders. The genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the degree of viremia were determined. METAVIR scoring system was used for liver fibrosis. Hepatic stiffness was measured by TE. RESULTS: Of the initial three patients pre-treatment liver biopsies revealed active disease and fibrosis (stage 3) in two and mild fibrosis (stage 1) in one. After several years of follow up serum AST/ALT levels were normal and HCV RNA was undetectable in each case; in contrast to the baseline histological assessments of fibrosis, values for hepatic stiffness (3.4-6.9 KPa) were compatible with an absence of any appreciable hepatic fibrosis. In the prospective study, 8 patients underwent a SVR and 16 were non-responders. TE indicated that the severity of hepatic fibrosis in the SVR group improved in 7 (88%) patients, whereas in the non-responder it improved in only 4 (25%) (p < 0.05). The difference between development of severe fibrosis (F > or = 3) in responders and non-responders was not significant (p = 0.23), possibly due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Regression of hepatic fibrosis appears to be common in patients with CHC who undergo a SVR. TE is a simple non-invasive technique that enables multiple assessments of the severity of hepatic fibrosis to be made efficiently during long-term follow-up of patients with CHC who receive combination antiviral therapy.

Hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C assessed by transient elastography: implications for determining the efficacy of antiviral therapy

Background: the efficacy of combination therapy with peginterferonplus ribavirin to eradicate viral infection in patients withchronic hepatitis C (CHC) is well established; moreover, it is ableto arrest or even reverse liver fibrosis.Aims: to analyze the measurements of hepatic stiffness as anindex of liver fibrosis using transient elastography (TE) in patients who underwent a sustained virological response (SVR) duringlong-term follow-up; comparing the changes in the severity of fibrosis with non-responders patients. Material and methods: after hepatic fibrosis was studied in three patients with CHC who underwent a SVR during long-term follow up, a prospective study was initiated in 24 patients withCHC who received combination therapy to compare the evolution of fibrosis in those with SVR and those who were non-responders.The genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the degree of viremia were determined. METAVIR scoring system was used for liver fibrosis. Hepatic stiffness was measured by TE. Results: of the initial three patients pre-treatment liver biopsiesrevealed active disease and fibrosis (stage 3) in two and mildfibrosis (stage 1) in one. After several years of follow up serum AST/ALT levels were normal and HCV RNA was undetectable ineach case; in contrast to the baseline histological assessments of fibrosis, values for hepatic stiffness (3.4-6.9 KPa) were compatible with an absence of any appreciable hepatic fibrosis. In the prospective study, 8 patients underwent a SVR and 16 were nonresponders.TE indicated that the severity of hepatic fibrosis in theSVR group improved in 7 (88%) patients, whereas in the non-responderit improved in only 4 (25%) (p < 0.05). The difference between development of severe fibrosis (F>=3) in responders andnon-responders was not significant (p = 0.23), possibly due to the small sample size...(AU)

Transient elastography to assess hepatic fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness measurements may have potential for detecting and monitoring hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease. AIM: To study the detection, quantification and progression of hepatic fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis by liver stiffness measurements. METHODS: Liver stiffness measurements were generated in 80 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis by applying transient elastography; however, as there were 55 with liver biopsy, histological stage (METAVIR) and liver stiffness measurements were compared only in these 55 patients. The efficiency of liver stiffness measurements in predicting stage of fibrosis was determined from the area under receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients included, 91, 4% were women and their mean age was 56 +/- 12 (s.d.) years. A significant correlation was found (P < 0.05) between histological fibrosis stage (METAVIR) and liver stiffness measurements. The values obtained from area under receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of liver stiffness measurement data were 0.89 for F > 2 and 0.96 for F = 4. Liver stiffness measurements were 9.0 +/- 5.3 and 7.9 +/- 6.0 kPa for patients followed up more than 5 years and less than 5 years, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, median values of liver stiffness measurements correlated with histological severity of hepatic fibrosis. Liver stiffness measurements appear to be promising for liver fibrosis detection and quantification, as well as monitoring its progression, in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The progression rate of hepatic fibrosis in our primary biliary cirrhosis patients appears to be slow.

The colorectal carcinoma prognosis factors. Significance of diagnosis delay.

INTRODUCTION: detection of early-stage colorectal carcinoma (CRC)--( Dukes A or B)--provides better survival rates in these patients. Thus, the effectiveness of screening programs in asymptomatic patients or of early diagnosis in symptomatic individuals has been postulated. The aim of this study was to establish whether a delay in diagnosis or other factors are related to CRC stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective study was performed on 96 patients with CRC. Age at diagnosis, gender distribution, intestinal disorders, diagnosis delay, primary sign and -regarding CRC- localization, stage (Dukes) and grade of differentiation (well differentiated; non-well differentiated; poorly differentiated) were recorded. RESULTS: diagnosis delay was 185 +/- 190 days. Patients delay in obtaining a diagnosis was 119 +/- 158 days. In 40% of patients CRC was diagnosed at an early stage (Dukes A or B), and in 13% CRC was poorly differentiated. The only factor with an independent effect on Dukes stage was tumor differentiation (p: 0.0012). Distal location was associated with less advanced tumors without statistical significance (p: 0.156). CONCLUSION: based on the presented data, a greater effort regarding screening programs for healthy people seems warranted, as improved survival has been demonstrated when diagnosis delay is reduced, particularly in patients with the highest mean delay.

Transient elastography: a valid alternative to biopsy in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Transient elastography is a novel and non-invasive technique for the evaluation of fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Few studies that exist value the efficacy of transient elastography, mainly in hepatitis C virus-infected patients. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness, objectivity, reproducibility and safety of this technique. METHODS: We included 103 consecutive patients who underwent a liver biopsy in the last 48 months with a wide spectrum of chronic liver diseases. Median stiffness value (expressed as kilopascals - kPa) was kept as representative of the liver elastic modulus. All biopsy specimens were analysed by the same pathologist according to the METAVIR scoring system. RESULTS: Median value of stiffness in patients with mild or moderate fibrosis (FI and FII), and severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (FIII and FIV) was of 7, 4 +/- 5 and 16, 4 +/- 10 kPa, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves showed the optimal liver stiffness cut-off values for each group. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive correlation between the liver stiffness found by transient elastography and fibrosis stage on biopsy in all patients, independently of the liver disease aetiology. Transient elastography is an easy, quick to perform and safe non-invasive procedure, reliable for assessing liver fibrosis.

A pilot study of atorvastatin treatment in dyslipemid, non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of liver injury. Currently, there are no proven effective therapies available. Atorvastatin is a new 3-hydroxy-3-metylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor that reduces lipid serum levels. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of atorvastatin in dyslipemid, non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 25 patients with NAFLD; 22 of them completed the study. Body mass index, serum lipids, liver function tests and liver density assessed by echography were measured at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of treatment. Normalization of transaminases and/or improvement in liver density were treatment end points. Patients received atorvastatin (10-80 mg/daily) according to basal serum choleresterol levels; additionally, they were given standard weight-loss counselling and encouraged to follow a low fat diet. RESULTS: All 22 patients (14 men, mean age 47 +/- 10 years) had high cholesterol levels at baseline and 11 (44%) also presented high trygliceride levels. After 6 months of treatment, eight patients (36.3%) presented normal transaminase levels. The remaining patients continued treatment for 12 months when 20% of patients presented with normal transaminase levels, while the other patients showed a 10% reduction in basal levels. Mean cholesterol levels were 268.5 +/- 44.2 and 186.8 +/- 14.4 mg/dL before and after treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index was 27.4 +/- 3.1 at baseline and 26.3 +/- 2.8 kg/cm2 at the end of treatment (P > 0.05). No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Serum aminotransferase and lipid levels were reduced significantly in all patients with atorvastatin treatment. Therapy with atorvastatin in NAFLD patients with hyperlipidemia was found to be both effective and safe.

Factores pronósticos en carcinoma colorrectal. Importancia de la demora diagnóstica / The colorectal carcinoma prognosis factors. Significance of diagnosis delay

Introducción: el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer colorrectal (estadiosA y B de Dukes) consigue mejorar las tasas de supervivenciade estos pacientes. Con este objetivo se ha propuesto comoestrategia acelerar el diagnóstico de enfermos sintomáticos o realizarcribados en enfermos asintomáticos. El objetivo de este trabajoes identificar los factores que influyen en la extensión tumoraldel carcinoma colorrectal, especialmente la demora en el diagnóstico.Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo de una serie de 99pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma colorrectal en los que seanalizaron las variables: edad, sexo, habito intestinal, ingesta delaxantes, signo o síntoma de presentación, localización tumoral,grados de Dukes, diferenciación histológica y demora diagnósticadefinida como el tiempo transcurrido desde el comienzo de lossíntomas hasta el diagnóstico endoscópico del tumor.Resultados: el 40% de los enfermos presentaban al momentodel diagnóstico un estadio A o B de Dukes. Un 15% de los tumoreseran de grado histológico “bien diferenciado” y un 13% “mal diferenciado”.La demora diagnóstica global fue de 185 ± 190 días delos que 119 ± 158 días se debieron al retraso del enfermo en acudiral médico. La única variable que influyó significativamente sobre laextensión tumoral fue el grado de diferenciación (p < 0,05). La localizacióndistal se asoció a menor extensión sin alcanzar significaciónestadística (p = 0,1).Conclusión: de acuerdo a los datos presentados, parece razonabledirigir fundamentalmente nuestros esfuerzos hacia programasde cribado poblacional que han demostrado reducir significativamentela mortalidad, en lugar de tratar reducir una demoradiagnostica que depende fundamentalmente del enfermo

Introduction: detection of early-stage colorectal carcinoma(CRC) –( Dukes’ A or B)– provides better survival rates in these patients.Thus, the effectiveness of screening programs in asymptomaticpatients or of early diagnosis in symptomatic individuals hasbeen postulated. The aim of this study was to establish whether adelay in diagnosis or other factors are related to CRC stage.Patients and methods: a retrospective study was performedon 96 patients with CRC. Age at diagnosis, gender distribution,intestinal disorders, diagnosis delay, primary sign and –regardingCRC– localization, stage (Dukes’) and grade of differentiation (welldifferentiated; non-well differentiated; poorly differentiated) wererecorded.Results: diagnosis delay was 185 ± 190 days. Patients delayin obtaining a diagnosis was 119 ± 158 days. In 40% of patientsCRC was diagnosed at an early stage (Dukes’ A or B), and in 13%CRC was poorly differentiated. The only factor with an independenteffect on Dukes’ stage was tumor differentiation (p: 0.0012).Distal location was associated with less advanced tumors withoutstatistical significance (p: 0.156).Conclusion: based on the presented data, a greater effort regardingscreening programs for healthy people seems warranted,as improved survival has been demonstrated when diagnosis delayis reduced, particularly in patients with the highest mean delay

Fascitis necrotizante secundaria a inserción de sonda de gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea / Necrotizing fascitis secondary to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

No disponible

A pilot study on the endoscopic surveillance of colorectal dysplasia and cancer in long-standing ulcerative colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) when compared to the general population. Epithelial dysplasia comes before this neoplasm, and thus endoscopic surveillance is recommended to these patients. This pilot study aims at establishing the incidence of dysplasia and CRC in patients with long-standing UC in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study performed in patients with a definite diagnosis of UC for more than 8 years. These patients were encouraged to enroll in an endoscopic surveillance program for CRC. All patients underwent colonoscopy and multiple biopsies every 18 to 24 months in order to detect epithelial dysplasia. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included from January 1994 to December 2003. Half of them were males. Mean age was 52 +/- 13 years. Mean duration of UC was 15 +/- 8 years. Thirteen (35%) patients had left colitis, and 26 (65%) had pancolitis or extensive colitis. The presence of mild dysplasia was detected in four patients, on two occasions in one of them (13%; 95% CI: 6.1-33.5); the incidence of mild dysplasia was 1.3% patients per surveillance year. No severe dysplasia or CRCs were identified. CONCLUSION: The incidence of dysplasia in our area is lower than expected, and does not support surveillance programs for these patients. However, no definite conclusions may be drawn from such a small number of patients.

Estudio piloto sobre la vigilancia endoscópica de la displasia y del cáncer colorrectal en la colitis ulcerosa de larga evolución / A pilot study on the endoscopic surveillance of colorectal dysplasia and cancer in long-standing ulcerative colitis

Introducción: los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa (CU) tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar cáncer colorrectal (CCR) que la población general. La displasia epitelial precede a esta neoplasia por lo que se recomienda la vigilancia endoscópica de estos pacientes Este estudio piloto pretende determinar la incidencia de la displasia y del CCR en pacientes con CU de larga evolución en nuestro hospital. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo y observacional en pacientes con el diagnóstico firme de CU de más de 8 años de evolución a los que se propuso entrar en un programa de vigilancia endoscópica del CCR. A todos los enfermos se les sometió cada 18/24 meses a una colonoscopia con múltiples biopsias para detectar displasias epiteliales. Resultados: se incluyeron 39 pacientes desde enero de 1994 hasta diciembre de 2003. La mitad de ellos eran varones. La edad media fue de 52 años (±13 años). La duración media de la CU fue de 15 ± 8 años. Trece (35%) enfermos sufrían una colitis izquierda y 26 (65%) una pancolitis o colitis extensa. Se detectó la presencia de displasia leve en 4 pacientes, en uno de ellos en dos ocasiones (13%, IC 95%: 6,1-33,5), la incidencia de displasia leve fue de 1,3% pacientes por año de vigilancia. No se detectaron displasiasgraves ni CCRs. Conclusión: la incidencia de displasia en nuestra área es menor que la esperada y no sustenta los programas de vigilancia en estos enfermos. Aunque por el pequeño número de pacientes no se pueden sacar conclusiones firmes

Introduction: patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) when comparedto the general population. Epithelial dysplasia comes before this neoplasm, and thus endoscopic surveillance is recommendedto these patients. This pilot study aims at establishing the incidence of dysplasia and CRC in patients with long-standing UC inour hospital. Material and methods: this is a prospective observational study performed in patients with a definite diagnosis of UC for more than 8 years. These patients were encouraged to enroll in an endoscopic surveillance program for CRC. All patients underwent colonoscopy and multiple biopsies every 18 to 24 months in order to detect epithelial dysplasia. Results: thirty-nine patients were included from January 1994 to December 2003. Half of them were males. Mean age was 52 ± 13 years. Mean duration of UC was 15 ± 8 years. Thirteen (35%) patients had left colitis, and 26 (65%) had pancolitis or extensive colitis. The presence of mild dysplasia was detected in four patients, on two occasions in one of them (13%; 95% CI: 6.1-33.5); the incidence of mild dysplasia was 1.3% patients per surveillance year. No severe dysplasia or CRCs were identified. Conclusion: the incidence of dysplasia in our area is lower than expected, and does not support surveillance programs for these patients. However, no definite conclusions may be drawn from such a small number of patients

[Bile duct obstruction due to non-Hodkin's lymphoma in patients with HIV infection]. / Ictericia obstructiva por linfoma no hodgkiniano en pacientes con infección por el VIH.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome increases the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma (NHL) (relative risk over 100). NHL tend to be high-grade and to affect the central nervous system and digestive tract. Biliary tract compression is usually due to external compression from enlarged lymph nodes, but is not usually the first manifestation.We describe 2 cases of bile duct obstruction secondary to NHL in patients diagnosed with HIV infection. Histological diagnosis of the lymphoma can be difficult but is necessary so that these patients do not undergo highly aggressive surgical treatment instead of chemotherapy, which currently produces the best results. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of including lymphomas in the differential diagnosis of bile duct obstruction in patients with HIV infection.