Liver Donations and Transplants in the State of Paraná, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The increase in the waiting list for a liver and the high mortality rate of patients with terminal liver disease represent serious public health problems in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To analyze donations and liver transplants in the State of Paraná, Brazil. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out with data from 3931 reports of deaths due to brain death and 8146 solid organ transplants made available by the State Transplant System of Paraná between 2011 and 2016. The data related to donation and liver transplantation were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inference. RESULTS: A total of 751 (28.9%) liver donations were carried out. Of these, the greatest chance of effectiveness occurred in patients younger than 50 years OR: 1.94 (CI: 1.60-2.34; P < .01) and male OR: 1.27 (CI: 1.06-1.52; P < .01). A total of 720 (8.8%) liver transplants were performed, most of which were funded by the Unified Health System. There was a significant increase in donations and liver transplants over the years. CONCLUSION: Donor numbers and liver transplants increased in the State but did not meet the need for the waiting list within the analyzed period.

Collagenous colitis. A treatable disease with an elusive diagnosis.

Collagenous colitis is associated with normal endoscopy examination and peculiar histopathological changes. The natural history and optimal treatment are not well defined. Our objectives were to analyze the symptomatology of collagenous colitis, determine the natural history, and response to treatment. All patients with collagenous colitis from 1978 to 1992 were studied. Demographic data, symptomatology, associated conditions, colonoscopic findings, and pathology specimens were reviewed. Clinical improvement was classified as none, partial, or complete. Nineteen patients were identified, mainly white females over age 50. Mean follow-up was 22.6 months. Symptom duration was 37 months (range 4 months to 15 years). Symptoms were intermittent diarrhea (19), with a predominant nocturnal component (13); abdominal pain (15); and mild weight loss and incontinence (8). Colonoscopy was normal in 12 patients. Segmental mucosal edema and loss of vasculature pattern were present in seven. Antiperistaltic agents were used in 17 patients with no improvement (15), partial resolution (1), and complete resolution (1). Eight nonresponders received sulfasalazine. Responses were none (6) or complete (2). Ten patients received steroids (10-20 mg/day). One failed to respond. Nine initially responded completely but two relapsed. Seven patients who did not respond to any type of treatment improved eventually, two partially and five completely. These patients were younger (54.3 vs 68.3 years, P = 0.04) and symptom duration was shorter (25.4 vs 44.5 months, P = 0.38) than the rest of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The prevalence of coronary artery disease in liver transplant candidates over age 50.

The prevalence of angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with end-stage liver disease who undergo evaluation for liver transplantation is unknown; also it is unclear if cholestatic liver disease represents an independent risk factor. Patients with end-stage liver disease over age 50 having liver transplantation were studied using coronary angiography. Arterial stenosis was graded as normal, mild (< 30%), moderate (30 to 70%), or severe (> 70%). Risk factors for CAD were also assessed (male sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, family history of premature heart disease). Complications related to the angiography and decision making based on the findings were recorded. Thirty seven patients (23 females) with a median age of 61 years (range 50 to 71) underwent angiography. Thirteen patients (35.1%) had cholestatic liver disease. Thirty patients had no history of heart disease. The overall prevalence of severe coronary artery disease was 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.2% to 32.0%). No association was detected between CAD and cholestatic liver disease (P = 0.72). After eliminating seven patients with a prior history of angina (n = 1), myocardial infarction (n = 1), or coronary revascularization (n = 5), the frequency of moderate or severe CAD was 13.3% (95% CI = 3.8% to 30.7%). No association was detected between unsuspected CAD and cholestatic liver disease (P = 0.61). Diabetes was the most important risk factor for moderate or severe disease (P = 0.01). Patients without risk factors had significantly less CAD than the group as a whole regardless of the liver disease type (P = 0.02). Two patients experienced transient renal insufficiency after the angiography. Three patients with severe CAD were denied transplantation. We conclude that CAD represents a significant problem in patients over age 50 undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Cholestatic liver disease was not associated with a significantly higher prevalence of moderate or severe CAD in our population. Diabetes was the most predictive risk factor, and those without risk factors do not require extensive preoperative cardiac evaluation.