Effects of Albumin on Survival after a Hepatic Encephalopathy Episode: Randomized Double-Blind Trial and Meta-Analysis.

No therapies have been proven to increase survival after a hepatic encephalopathy (HE) episode. We hypothesize that two doses of albumin could improve 90-day survival rates after a HE episode. METHODS: (1) A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (BETA) was conducted in 12 hospitals. The effect of albumin (1.5 g/kg at baseline and 1 g/kg on day 3) on 90-day survival rates after a HE episode grade II or higher was evaluated. (2) A meta-analysis of individual patient's data for survival including two clinical trials (BETA and ALFAE) was performed. RESULTS: In total, 82 patients were included. Albumin failed to increase the 90-day transplant-free survival (91.9% vs. 80.5%, p = 0.3). A competing risk analysis was performed, observing a 90-day cumulative incidence of death of 9% in the albumin group vs. 20% in the placebo (p = 0.1). The meta-analysis showed a benefit in the albumin group, with a lower rate of clinical events (death or liver transplant) than patients in the placebo (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.82), when analyzed by a competing risk analysis (90-days mortality rate of 11% in the albumin group vs. 30% in the placebo, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated doses of albumin might be beneficial for patient's survival as an add-on therapy after an HE episode, but an adequately powered trial is needed.

Accuracy of the Ultra-Rapid Urease Test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection / Exactitud del test Ultra-Rapido de la Ureasa para el Diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori

Background: Rapid Urease Test (RUT) is a simple, cheap and relatively fast method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. It is therefore the preferred method used for patients undergoing gastroscopy. Most kits require 24h to give results. The new Ultra-Rapid Urease Test (URUT) kit by Biohit(R) requires less than 1h. Objective: To determine URUT's diagnostic accuracy. Method: Prospective, blind, multi-centre study involving dyspeptic patients. One corpus biopsy and three antral biopsies were obtained during gastroscopy for standard histological analysis, RUT and URUT. The URUT result was checked after 1min, 5min, 30min and 60min and the RUT was checked over the course of 24h. Histology was used as the gold standard test. Results: 144 patients were included, 68% female, with a mean age of 49 years old; 50% were H. pyloripositive. RUT and URUT diagnoses were correct in 85.9% and 90% of the cases, respectively. The mean waiting time for a positive RUT result was 6h. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for RUT were, respectively, 82%, 90%, 89% and 84%. The URUT's results were similar (85%, 94%, 94% and 87%). These figures improved when patients taking PPIs were excluded (RUT: 86%, 91%, 93% and 83%; URUT: 91%, 94%, 96% and 89%). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing RUT and URUT distributions of correct diagnoses (McNemar's Test, p=0.3) but there was a tendency towards better results with the URUT. Conclusion: The URUT is equivalent to (or slightly better than) the traditional RUT in diagnosing H. pyloriinfection, and provides results in less than an hour (AU)

Introducción: El test de la ureasa (TRU) es un método simple, barato y relativamente rápido para el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Por tanto, es el método de elección en pacientes sometidos a gastroscopia. La mayoría de los kits requieren 24 h para obtener un resultado. En nuevo test ultrarrápido de la ureasa (TURU) de Biohit requiere menos de una hora. Objetivo: Determinar la exactitud diagnóstica del TURU. Método: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo y ciego, en el que se incluyó a pacientes dispépticos. Se obtuvieron 3 biopsias de antro y una de corpus durante la gastroscopia para análisis histológico estándar, TRU y TURU. El resultado del TURU se comprobó a los 1, 5, 30 y 60 min, mientras que el TRU se evaluó a lo largo de 24 h. La histología se utilizó como patrón oro. Resultados: Se incluyó a 144 pacientes, 68% mujeres, edad media 49 años, el 50% fueron positivos para H. pylori. TRU y TURU diagnosticaron correctamente el 85,9% y 90,0% de los casos, respectivamente. La duración media de espera para un resultado positivo del TRU fue 6 h. La sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos negativo y positivo para el TRU fueron, respectivamente, del 82, el 90, el 89 y el 84%. Los resultados del TURU fueron equivalentes (el 85, el 94, el 94 y el 87%). Estos resultados mejoraron al excluir los pacientes que tomaban IBP (TRU: 86, 91, 93 y 83%; TURU: 91, 94, 96 y 89%). La comparación de distribución de diagnósticos correctos entre TRU y TURU no encontró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (test de McNemar p=0,3) pero existe una tendencia a mejores resultados con el TURU. Conclusión: El TURU es equivalente (o algo superior) al TRU tradicional en el diagnóstico de la infección por H. pylori y obtiene los resultados en menos de una hora (AU)

Accuracy of the Ultra-Rapid Urease Test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Urease Test (RUT) is a simple, cheap and relatively fast method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. It is therefore the preferred method used for patients undergoing gastroscopy. Most kits require 24h to give results. The new Ultra-Rapid Urease Test (URUT) kit by Biohit® requires less than 1h. OBJECTIVE: To determine URUT's diagnostic accuracy. METHOD: Prospective, blind, multi-centre study involving dyspeptic patients. One corpus biopsy and three antral biopsies were obtained during gastroscopy for standard histological analysis, RUT and URUT. The URUT result was checked after 1min, 5min, 30min and 60min and the RUT was checked over the course of 24h. Histology was used as the gold standard test. RESULTS: 144 patients were included, 68% female, with a mean age of 49 years old; 50% were H. pylori positive. RUT and URUT diagnoses were correct in 85.9% and 90% of the cases, respectively. The mean waiting time for a positive RUT result was 6h. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for RUT were, respectively, 82%, 90%, 89% and 84%. The URUT's results were similar (85%, 94%, 94% and 87%). These figures improved when patients taking PPIs were excluded (RUT: 86%, 91%, 93% and 83%; URUT: 91%, 94%, 96% and 89%). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing RUT and URUT distributions of correct diagnoses (McNemar's Test, p=0.3) but there was a tendency towards better results with the URUT. CONCLUSION: The URUT is equivalent to (or slightly better than) the traditional RUT in diagnosing H. pylori infection, and provides results in less than an hour.

Randomized clinical trial comparing high versus standard dose of ribavirin plus peginterferon alfa-2a in hepatitis C genotype 3 and high viral load. Dargen-3 study

INTRODUCTION: Less than half of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 (G3) and high viral load (HVL) without a rapid virological response (RVR) achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) when treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin (RBV).Objectives To assess the impact of high doses of RBV on SVR in patients with G3 and HVL. Methods Ninety-seven patients were randomized to receive peginterferon α-2a+RBV 800mg/day (A; n = 42) or peginterferon α-2a+RBV 1600mg/day+epoetin β 400IU/kg/week SC (B; n = 55). Patients allocated to group B who achieved RVR continued on RBV (800mg/day) for a further 20 weeks (B1; n = 42) while non-RVR patients received a higher dose of RBV (1600mg/day) + epoetin β (B2; n = 13). RESULTS: RVR was observed in 64.3% of patients in A and in 76.4% in B (p = 0.259). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed SVR rates of 64.3% (A) and 61.8% (B), with a reduction of -2.5% (-21.8% to 16.9%) (p = 0.835). The SVR rate was 61.9% in arm B1 and 61.5% in arm B2. No serious adverse events were reported, and the rate of moderate adverse events was < 5%. CONCLUSIONS: G3 patients with high viral load without RVR did not obtain a benefit from a higher dose of RBV. Higher doses of RBV plus epoetin β were safe and well tolerated (Clin Trials Gov NCT00830609)

INTRODUCCIÓN: Menos de la mitad de los pacientes con hepatitis crónica C genotipo 3 (G3) con carga viral elevada y sin respuesta virológica rápida (RVR) alcanzan respuesta virológica sostenida (RVS) con peginterferón y ribavirina (RBV). OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el impacto de altas dosis de RBV sobre la RVS en pacientes con G3 y cargaviral elevada. MÉTODOS: Noventa y siete pacientes recibieron asignación aleatoria para tratamiento con peginterferón α-2a+RBV800mg/día (A; n=42) o peginterferón α-2ª + RBV 1600 mg/día + epoetina β 400UI/kg/semana SC (B; n = 55). Los pacientes asignados al grupo B que alcanzaron RVR continuaron con RBV (800 mg/día) durante 20 semanas más (B1; n = 42) mientras que los que no alcanzaron RVR recibieron una dosis más alta de RBV (1.600 mg/día)+epoetina β (B2; n = 13). RESULTADOS: Se observó RVR en el 64,3% de los pacientes en A y 76,4% en B (p = 0,259). El análisis por intención de tratar(ITT) mostró una tasa de RVS de 64,3% (A) y 61,8% (B), con una reducción de -2,5% (-21,8-16.9%) (p = 0,835). La tasa de RVS fue 61,9% en brazo B1 y 61,5% en brazo B2. No se detectaron efectos adversos graves y la tasa de efectos adversos moderados fue <5%. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes G3 con carga viral elevada sin RVR no obtuvieron beneficio de dosis más altas de RBV. Las dosis más altas de ribavirina más epoetina β fueron seguras y bien toleradas. (Clin Trials Gov NCT00830609)

Randomized clinical trial comparing high versus standard dose of ribavirin plus peginterferon alfa-2a in hepatitis C genotype 3 and high viral load. Dargen-3 study.

INTRODUCTION: Less than half of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 (G3) and high viral load (HVL) without a rapid virological response (RVR) achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) when treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin (RBV). OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of high doses of RBV on SVR in patients with G3 and HVL. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were randomized to receive peginterferon α-2a+RBV 800 mg/day (A; n=42) or peginterferon α-2a+RBV 1600 mg/day+epoetin ß 400 IU/kg/week SC (B; n=55). Patients allocated to group B who achieved RVR continued on RBV (800mg/day) for a further 20 weeks (B1; n=42) while non-RVR patients received a higher dose of RBV (1600 mg/day)+epoetin ß (B2; n=13). RESULTS: RVR was observed in 64.3% of patients in A and in 76.4% in B (p=0.259). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed SVR rates of 64.3% (A) and 61.8% (B), with a reduction of -2.5% (-21.8% to 16.9%) (p=0.835). The SVR rate was 61.9% in arm B1 and 61.5% in arm B2. No serious adverse events were reported, and the rate of moderate adverse events was < 5%. CONCLUSIONS: G3 patients with high viral load without RVR did not obtain a benefit from a higher dose of RBV. Higher doses of RBV plus epoetin ß were safe and well tolerated (Clin Trials Gov NCT00830609).

Rápida progresión de hepatocarcinoma tras cirugía; a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Rapid progression of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery: apropos of a case and review of the literature

Presentamos el caso de un joven afecto de hepatitis crónica por virus B de probable adquisición perinatal que se diagnosticó de un carcinoma hepatocelular en estadío muy inicial (BCLC 0) con un pronóstico a priori muy favorable. Sin embargo, presentó una evolución rápidamente progresiva siendo exitus en pocos meses. Se conocen pocos datos que ayuden a detectar aquellos casos de rápida progresión que puedan propiciar el inicio de terapias más agresivas que impidan o controlen dicha progresión (AU)

We report the case of a young man with chronic hepatitis B infection of probable perinatal acquisition who was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at a very early stage (BCLC 0) with a highly favorable prognosis. However, the tumor progressed rapidly and the patient died within months. Currently, there are few data that could help to identify cases likely to show rapid progression and which could prompt initiation of aggressive therapies that might prevent or control such progression (AU)

[Rapid progression of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery: apropos of a case and review of the literature]. / Rápida progresión de hepatocarcinoma tras cirugía; a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

We report the case of a young man with chronic hepatitis B infection of probable perinatal acquisition who was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at a very early stage (BCLC 0) with a highly favorable prognosis. However, the tumor progressed rapidly and the patient died within months. Currently, there are few data that could help to identify cases likely to show rapid progression and which could prompt initiation of aggressive therapies that might prevent or control such progression.

Unidad de atención continuada y hospital de día como alternativa a la hospitalización convencional: experiencia de 10 años en un hospital comarcal / Continuing care unit and day hospital as an alternative to conventional hospitalization: 10 years’ experience in a district hospital

La unidad de atención continuada y hospital de día permite el manejo ambulatorio de los pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva. Objetivo: Disminuir los ingresos hospitalarios y el número de pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva que acude a urgencias. Material y métodos: Los pacientes se atienden según dos niveles asistenciales: a) atención continuada, en que se visitan de forma urgente los pacientes con una descompensación aguda de su enfermedad digestiva, y b) atención programada, en que se realizan procedimientos que por su complejidad requieren personal de enfermería, sin ser necesario el ingreso hospitalario. Resultados: En el período comprendido entre 1995 y 2005 se ha pasado de realizar 118 visitas en atención continuada en 1995 a 784 en 2005. En atención programada las paracentesis han aumentado de 237 en 1995 a 687 en 2006 y las infusiones de hierro intravenoso de 111 en 2004 a 519 en 2006. El número de ingresos hospitalarios pasó inicialmente de 605 en 1995 a 430 en 2000, para posteriormente aumentar. El número de pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva que acudió a urgencias disminuyó un 75% estos años. Conclusiones: La unidad de atención continuada y hospital de día permite una disminución inicial del número de ingresos en el área de hospitalización convencional y en el porcentaje de pacientes con patología digestiva que acuden a urgencias

The continuing care unit and day hospital allows ambulatory care of patients with digestive diseases. Aim: Reducing hospital admissions and the number of patients with digestive diseases that attend the emergency department. Material and methods: Two types of care are provided: a) continuing care; patients are urgently visited when they show acute decompensation of their digestive disease, and b) scheduled care: procedures that, due to their complexity, require nursing care but not necessarily hospital admission. Results: In the period 1995-2005, visits to the continuing care unit increased from 118 in 1995 to 784 in 2005. In scheduled care, the number of paracentesis increased from 237 in 1995 to 687 in 2006. Intravenous iron infusions increased from 111 in 2004 to 519 in 2006. The number of hospital admissions initially decreased from 605 in 1995 to 430 in 2000, and then increased. The number of patients with digestive diseases attending the emergency department decreased by 75% throughout the period studied. Conclusions: The continuing care unit and day hospital allowed an initial reduction in the number of conventional hospitalizations and in the percentage of patients with digestive diseases attending the emergency department

[Continuing care unit and day hospital as an alternative to conventional hospitalization: 10 years' experience in a district hospital]. / Unidad de atención continuada y hospital de día como alternativa a la hospitalización convencional: experiencia de 10 años en un hospital comarcal.

UNLABELLED: The continuing care unit and day hospital allows ambulatory care of patients with digestive diseases. AIM: Reducing hospital admissions and the number of patients with digestive diseases that attend the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two types of care are provided: a) continuing care; patients are urgently visited when they show acute decompensation of their digestive disease, and b) scheduled care: procedures that, due to their complexity, require nursing care but not necessarily hospital admission. RESULTS: In the period 1995-2005, visits to the continuing care unit increased from 118 in 1995 to 784 in 2005. In scheduled care, the number of paracentesis increased from 237 in 1995 to 687 in 2006. Intravenous iron infusions increased from 111 in 2004 to 519 in 2006. The number of hospital admissions initially decreased from 605 in 1995 to 430 in 2000, and then increased. The number of patients with digestive diseases attending the emergency department decreased by 75% throughout the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: The continuing care unit and day hospital allowed an initial reduction in the number of conventional hospitalizations and in the percentage of patients with digestive diseases attending the emergency department.

[How many reach their goal? Outcome of abstracts presented at the XXIV AAEEH (Spanish Liver Study Association) Congress and their progress over time]. / 'Cuántos alcanzan la meta? Destino de los resúmenes presentados en el XXIV Congreso de la Asociación Española para el Estudio del Hígado y su evolución en el tiempo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the abstracts presented at scientific meetings is their publication in a peer-review journal. In this study, we analysed the publication rates of the abstracts submitted to the 24th AEEH meeting (1999) and also to see if this was stable over time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed the publication rates of the abstracts presented at the 24th AEEH meeting in journals included in MEDLINE. As a comparison tool, we did the same with the abstracts submitted to the 34th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). The same procedure was carried out on the three subsequent editions of AEEH meetings to evaluate the continuity in the long term. RESULTS: Of the abstracts submitted at the 24th AEEH meeting, 52.8% (93/176) were published: 71.4% of those had been accepted for oral presentation, 54% as a poster and 41% were non-accepted abstracts. From the 34th EASL Annual Meeting, 27.1% (248/913) of the submitted abstracts were published (p < 0.001 compared to AEEH), 52.5% of those were accepted for oral communication, 33.1% accepted as a poster communication and 18.1% from non-accepted abstracts. Moreover, this high publication rate of the abstracts of AEEH meeting at 1999, was maintained during the following three years (47.55 and 54%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: a) The publication rate of abstracts presented at 24th AEEH meeting was excellent and superior in comparison to the EASL rate of the same year; b) almost three quarters of abstracts accepted for oral presentation and more than half of those accepted as a poster were finally published, and c) high publication rates seem to be maintained over time.

¿Cuántos alcanzan la meta? Destino de los resúmenes presentados en el XXIV Congreso de la Asociación Española para el Estudio del Hígado y su evolución en el tiempo / How many reach their goal? Outcome of abstracts presented at the XXIV AAEEH (Spanish Liver Study Association) Congress and their progress over time

Introducción: El objetivo de los resúmenes presentados a los congresos científicos es su publicación en una revista basada en la revisión previa por expertos. En el presente estudio se analizó la tasa de publicación de los resúmenes presentados al XXIV Congreso de la Asociación Española para el Estudio del Hígado (AEEH) (1999) y si dicha tasa se mantiene a lo largo del tiempo. Material y métodos: Se evaluó la tasa de publicación en revistas incluidas en MEDLINE de los resúmenes presentados al XXIV Congreso de la AEEH. Como comparación se realizó el mismo proceso con los resúmenes presentados al 34th Annual Meeting de la European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). Para valorar la continuidad en el tiempo se procedió de igual forma para las siguientes 3 ediciones del Congreso de la AEEH. Resultados: En el XXIV Congreso de la AEEH se publicaron el 52,8% (93/176) de los resúmenes presentados: un 71,4% de los aceptados para sesión oral, un 54% de los aceptados para póster y un 41% de los resúmenes no aceptados. En el 34th Annual Meeting de la EASL se publicaron el 27,1% (248/913) de los resúmenes presentados (p < 0,001 respecto a la AEEH), el 52,5% de los aceptados para la comunicación oral, el 33,1% de los aceptados para la comunicación en póster y el 18,1% de los no aceptados. Además, el alto índice de publicación de los resúmenes del congreso de la AEEH en 1999 se mantuvo durante los siguientes 3 años (el 47,55 y el 54%, respectivamente). Conclusiones: a) La tasa de publicación de los resúmenes presentados al XXIV Congreso de la AEEH fue excelente y superior al de la EASL del mismo año; b) cerca de las tres cuartas partes de los resúmenes aceptados para la sesión oral y algo más de la mitad de los aceptados para la sesión en póster fueron publicados, lo que refleja el alto grado de acierto del Comité de Selección, y c) esta elevada tasa de publicación parece mantenerse en el tiempo

Introduction: The aim of the abstracts presented at scientific meetings is their publication in a peer-review journal. In this study, we analysed the publication rates of the abstracts submitted to the 24th AEEH meeting (1999) and also to see if this was stable over time. Material and methods: We assessed the publication rates of the abstracts presented at the 24th AEEH meeting in journals included in MEDLINE. As a comparison tool, we did the same with the abstracts submitted to the 34th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). The same procedure was carried out on the three subsequent editions of AEEH meetings to evaluate the continuity in the long term. Results: Of the abstracts submitted at the 24th AEEH meeting, 52.8% (93/176) were published: 71.4% of those had been accepted for oral presentation, 54% as a poster and 41% were non-accepted abstracts. From the 34th EASL Annual Meeting, 27.1% (248/913) of the submitted abstracts were published (p < 0.001 compared to AEEH), 52.5% of those were accepted for oral communication, 33.1% accepted as a poster communication and 18.1% from non-accepted abstracts. Moreover, this high publication rate of the abstracts of AEEH meeting at 1999, was maintained during the following three years (47.55 and 54%, respectively). Conclusions: a) The publication rate of abstracts presented at 24th AEEH meeting was excellent and superior in comparison to the EASL rate of the same year; b) almost three quarters of abstracts accepted for oral presentation and more than half of those accepted as a poster were finally published, and c) high publication rates seem to be maintained over time