Novel preclinical developments of the primary sclerosing cholangitis treatment landscape.

INTRODUCTION: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and destruction of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. Despite substantial recent advances in our understanding of PSC, the only proven treatment of PSC is liver transplantation. There is an urgent unmet need to find medical therapies for this disorder. AREAS COVERED: Multiple drugs are currently under evaluation as therapeutic options for this disease. This article summarizes the literature on the various novel therapeutic options that have been investigated and are currently under development for the treatment of PSC. EXPERT OPINION: In the next decade, more than one drug will likely be approved for the treatment of the disease, and we will be looking at combination therapies for the optimal management of the disease.

Impact of Gender on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Complications: Analysis of 27 Million Hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies have reported gender differences in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These studies have also reported differences based on gender in the rates of complications. In this study, we aim to identify gender disparities in the rates of GERD complications in the United States. METHODS: We queried the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample database to identify patients with GERD. Patients with eosinophilic esophagitis or missing demographics were excluded. We compared patient demographics, comorbidities and complications based on gender. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the impact of gender on complications of GERD. RESULTS: 27.2 million patients were included in the analysis. Out of them, 58.4% of the hospitalized patients with GERD were female. Majority of the women were White (75%), aged>65 years (57.5%) and were in the Medicare group (64%). After adjusting for confounders, females were noted to have lower odds of esophagitis (aOR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.84-0.86, p<0.001), esophageal stricture (aOR=0.95, 95%CI: 0.93-0.97, p<0.001), Barrett's esophagus (aOR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.57-0.59, p<0.001) and esophageal cancer (aOR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.21-0.23, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the findings of previous literature that females, despite comprising the majority of the study population, had a lower incidence of GERD related complications. Further studies identifying the underlying reason for these differences are required.

Impact of aspirin use on rates of metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer: insights from the National Inpatient Sample.

Despite advancing treatment methods, esophageal cancer (EC) maintains a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Through various mechanisms, aspirin has been suggested to have a chemopreventive effect on EC. However, the long-term impact, particularly regarding the rate of metastasis, needs to be further elucidated. NIS 2016-2020 was used to identify adult patients (age > 18 years) with EC using ICD-10 codes. Patients with missing demographics and mortality were excluded. Patients were stratified into two groups based on aspirin use. Data were collected on patient demographics, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), and comorbidities (hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), congestive heart failure (CHF), coagulopathy, alcohol use, smoking, and obesity). The outcomes studied were rates of total metastasis, gastrointestinal (GI) metastasis, non-GI metastasis, and lymphoid metastasis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of aspirin use on various metastases after adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, and ECI. Out of 190,655 patients, 20,650 (10.8%) patients were aspirin users. Majority of the patients in the aspirin group were aged > 65 years (74.7%), males (82.1%), White race (84%), and had medicare insurance (71%). There was a higher incidence of diabetes, hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease, CAD, CKD, CHF, and smoking in aspirin users than non-aspirin users. Patients with aspirin users had a lower incidence of metastasis (28.9% vs. 38.7%, P < 0.001), GI metastasis (14.2% vs. 20.6%, P < 0.001), non-GI metastasis (15.1% vs. 22%, P < 0.001), and lymphoid metastasis (8.9% vs. 11.3%, P < 0.001) than non-aspirin users. After adjusting for confounding factors, patients with aspirin use had lower odds of having metastasis (aOR-0.73, 95% CI-0.70-0.77, P < 0.001). Our study noted that aspirin use is associated with a reduction in the rate of metastasis in patients with EC. These studies support the use of aspirin in patients with EC and suggest the need for further studies to understand the mechanism by which aspirin use reduces metastasis in patients with EC.

Cystic duct disimpaction for acute cholecystitis in the high-risk cholecystectomy patient: Case report.

Acute cholecystitis is a common cause of Emergency Department presentation and hospital admission. It is usually treated with early surgical removal of the gallbladder; however, some patients may not be fit to undergo the procedure due to critical illness or comorbidities. In these patients, options are limited. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography interventions in this population are not well-studied. We present a case of a high-risk 59 year old female patient with a history of end-stage renal disease, heart failure, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and type 2 diabetes who presented with acute cholecystitis. She was successfully treated with cystic duct disimpaction without stenting, and continues to do well post-procedure with complete resolution of symptoms and abnormal lab findings.

The impact of Clostridioides difficile infection on outcomes among kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, particularly those who are immunosuppressed. We aim to assess the outcomes of CDI among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. METHODS: Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2020 was used to identify patients with KT and stratify based on the presence of CDI. Data were collected regarding demographics and comorbidities. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury, intensive care unit admission, transplant rejection, transplant failure, length of stay, and total hospitalization charges. The relationships between variables of interest and outcomes were analyzed using multivariate regression. RESULTS: A total of 557,635 KT recipients were included. CDI prevalence was 2.4%. The majority of patients in the CDI group were age >65 (43.6%), female (51%), White (55.3%), and had Medicare insurance (74.9%). On multivariate regression analysis, CDI was associated with increased odds of acute kidney injury (aOR 2.06, p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (aOR 2.47, p < 0.001), and mortality (aOR 1.90, p < 0.001). CDI was also associated with longer length of stay (9.35 days vs 5.42 days, p < 0.001) and higher total hospitalization charges ($110,063 vs $100,006, p < 0.001). There was no difference in transplant rejection, complication, failure, or infection among KT recipients with CDI and those without. CONCLUSIONS: We found that CDI was associated with worse outcomes and higher costs. KT patients should be monitored closely for signs of CDI in order to initiate appropriate management.

A Review of New Concepts in Iron Overload.

Iron overload disorders are conditions that can lead to increased body iron stores and end-organ damage in affected organs. Increased iron deposition most commonly occurs in the liver, heart, endocrine system, joints, and pancreas. Iron overload disorders may be caused by genetic or acquired causes (transfusion, dyserythropoiesis, and chronic liver disease). The HFE gene C282Y homozygous mutation is the most common cause of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). Other genes implicated in HH include TFR2, HAMP, HJV, and SLC40A1. In the past 2 decades, there have been major advances in the understanding of genetic iron overload disorders. Furthermore, new novel techniques to measure iron content in organs noninvasively, as well as new therapeutic options for the treatment of HH, are currently under development. This article focuses on the latest concepts in understanding, diagnosing, and managing genetic iron overload disorders, particularly HH.

Predictors and impact of aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy: national inpatient sample 2016-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Aspiration pneumonia is a rare but feared complication among patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Our study aims to assess the incidence as well as risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing EGD. METHODS: National Inpatient Sample 2016-2020 was used to identify adult patients undergoing EGD. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence of aspiration pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonia. We adjusted for patient demographics, Elixhauser comorbidities and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 1.8 million patients undergoing EGD, 1.9% of the patients developed aspiration pneumonia. Patients with aspiration pneumonia were mostly males (59.54%), aged >65 years old (66.19%), White (72.2%), had Medicare insurance (70.5%) and were in the lowest income quartile (28.7%). On multivariate analysis, the age >65 group, White race, congestive heart failure (CHF), neurological disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with higher odds of aspiration pneumonia. This complication was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (9% vs. 0.8%; P  < 0.001) and longer length of stay (10.54 days vs. 4.85 days; P  < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study found that rates of post-EGD aspiration pneumonia are increasing. We found a significant association between various comorbidities and aspiration pneumonia. Our data suggests that we need to optimize these patients before EGD, as the development of aspiration is associated with worsened outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify these associations.

Complete Biochemical Remission With Oral Vancomycin in a Patient With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and High Serum Immunoglobulin G4 Levels.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease characterized by intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct strictures leading to cirrhosis. A subtype with elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 levels has been recently identified. Elevated IgG4 titers can be present in 9%-15% of patients with PSC. Currently, liver transplantation is the only effective treatment of PSC, although multiple medical therapies are under evaluation. We report a case of a young adult with PSC and elevated IgG4 levels who had marked serum aminotransferase elevation; the patient had an incomplete response to steroids but achieved complete biochemical remission after initiation of oral vancomycin.

Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with gastrointestinal infections: insights from National Inpatient Sample Database.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to compare the risk of gastrointestinal infections among patients with and without metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective, observational study using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest all-payer US inpatient care database. SETTING: Hospitalisation of adults aged ≥18 years old admitted in 2020 was identified using the NIS. Patients were stratified by the presence and absence of MAFLD. PARTICIPANTS: 26.4 million adults aged ≥18 years old were included in the study. Patients younger than 18 and those with missing demographic or mortality data were excluded. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Primary outcome was to assess the overall risk of gastrointestinal infections in patients with and without MAFLD. Secondary outcomes were demographics and comorbidities stratified by the presence or absence of gastrointestinal infection, and the risk of specific gastrointestinal pathogens. RESULTS: Of 26.4 million patients admitted in 2020, 755 910 (2.85%) had the presence of MAFLD. There was a higher prevalence of bacterial gastrointestinal infections in patients with MAFLD than those without (1.6% vs 0.9%, p<0.001). The incidence of Clostridioides difficile (1.3% vs 0.8%, p<0.001), Escherichia coli (0.3% vs 0.01%, p<0.001), and Salmonella (0.07% vs 0.03%, p<0.001) was higher in patients with MAFLD. The presence of MAFLD was associated with higher odds of developing gastrointestinal infections (adjusted OR (aOR) -1.75, 95% CI -1.68 to 1.83, p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, results remained statistically significant (aOR -1.36, 95% CI - 1.30-1.42, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Even after adjusting for confounding factors, our study demonstrates an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections in patients with MAFLD, specifically of C. difficile, E. coli, and Salmonella. The immune and microbiota changes seen within MAFLD potentially contribute to the increased risk of gastrointestinal infections.

Recent Trends in Palliative Care Utilization in Patients With Decompensated Liver Disease: 2016-2020 National Analysis.

Background: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have a poor quality of life, which often worsens as disease severity increases. Palliative care (PC) has emerged as a management option in ESLD patients, especially for those who are not candidates for a liver transplant. Objective: To assess the associated factors and trends in PC utilization in recent years. Design: We used the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of the United States to identify patients with decompensated cirrhosis who suffered in-hospital mortality. Information regarding patient demographics, hospital characteristics, etiology and decompensations, Elixhauser comorbidities, and interventions was collected. The multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with PC use. Results: Out of 98,160 patients, 52,645 patients (53.6%) received PC consultations. PC utilization increased from 49.11% in 2016 to 56.85% in 2019, with a slight decrease to 54.47% in 2020. Patients with PC use had decreased incidence of blood transfusions (28.85% vs. 36.53%, p < 0.001), endoscopy (18% vs. 20.26%, p 0.0001), liver transplantation (0.28% vs. 0.69%, p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (46.22% vs. 56.37%, p < 0.001). African American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients had 29%, 27%, and 23% lower odds of receiving PC than White patients. Patients in the two lowest income quartiles had 12% and 22% lower odds of receiving PC compared with the highest quartile. Conclusions: PC utilization in patients with ESLD is associated with decreased invasive procedures, shorter lengths of stay, and lower hospitalization charges. Minorities, as well as patients in the lower income quartiles, were less likely to receive PC.

Vaccine-Preventable Illness Leads to Adverse Outcomes in Liver Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplant recipients (LTR) and patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) are at an increased risk of infections. AIMS: The objective of our study was to assess the incidence, and impact of vaccine preventable illness (VPI) on outcomes in LTR. METHODS: National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016-2020 was used to identify adults (age > 18) hospitalized LTR using ICD-10 codes. Data were collected on patient demographics, hospital characteristics, etiology of liver disease, hepatic decompensations and outcomes. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of VPI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between VPI and outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 170,650 hospitalized LTR, 13.5% of the patients had VPI. The most common VPI was noted to be influenza (10.7%), followed by pneumococcal infection (2.7%). Incidence of mortality (6.9% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.001), ICU admissions (14.3% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001), and acute kidney injury (AKI) (43.7% vs 37.35%, p < 0.001) was higher in the VPI group. CONCLUSION: More than 13% of the LT hospitalizations had concomitant VPI. VPI in LTR was associated with worse outcomes. Our data suggests the need to identify factors associated with reduced vaccination rates and identify strategies to improve vaccination rates and responses in these patients.

The impact of aspirin use on outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from a national database.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disorder that can increase the risk of mortality. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug used for primary prevention of cardiovascular events. A single center analysis previously reported that aspirin use did not impact major outcomes in IBD. In this study, we aim to assess the impact of aspirin use on mortality and other outcomes in patients with IBD using national data. METHODS: National inpatient sample (NIS) 2016-2020 was used to identify adult patients with IBD. Data were collected on patient demographics, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities. The outcomes studied were in-hospital mortality, sepsis, shock, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and need for surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1,524,820 IBD hospitalizations were included. Of these, 137,430 (9%) were long-term aspirin users. The majority of the patients in the aspirin group were aged > 65 years (34.11%), female (56.37%), White (78.83%) and had Medicare insurance (36.77%). Aspirin users had a lower incidence of in-hospital mortality (1.6% vs 1.4%, P = 0.06), sepsis (2.5% vs 2.9%, P < 0.001), shock (2.9% vs 3.4%, P < 0.001), ICU admission (2.6% vs 2.9%, P < 0.001), need for surgery (2.1% vs 4.2%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, aspirin was associated with a reduction in mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 0.49, 95%CI 0.45-0.55, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study reports that aspirin use among patients with IBD was associated with a lower risk of death, sepsis, and shock. Aspirin use may have a protective effect in patients with IBD. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and X (Formerly Twitter) Influencers: Who Are They and What Do They Say?

Background and objective More than half of the population suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) use the internet as a primary source of information on their condition. X (formerly Twitter) has been increasingly used to disseminate healthcare-related information. In this study, we aimed to identify top influencers on the topic of IBD on X and correlate the relevance of their social media engagements with their professional expertise or academic productivity. Methods X (formerly Twitter) influence scores for the search topic IBD were obtained using Cronycle API, a proprietary software employing multiple algorithms to rank influencers. Data regarding gender, profession, location, and research productivity represented as h-index was collected. Results We collected information on the top 100 IBD influencers on X. The majority of influencers were gastroenterologists, followed by IBD advocates. Of note, 62% of the IBD influencers were from the US followed by the UK and Canada. A positive correlation was observed between the X topic score and the h-index of the influencer (r=+0.488, p<0.001) Conclusions The strong correlation observed between the X topic score and h-index suggests that social media is a viable platform for gaining information regarding IBD. Further research aimed at counteracting misleading information by providing facts and data in a succinct manner about IBD on social media is required to improve disease awareness.

The Effects of Malnutrition on Inpatient Outcomes in Patients With Gastroparesis: A Nationwide Analysis.

Introduction Gastroparesis (GP) is a chronic debilitating gastric motility disorder defined as delayed emptying of the stomach content without mechanical obstruction. It can result in nutritional deficiencies, leading to poor overall outcomes. We assessed the impact of malnutrition on in-hospital outcomes in patients with gastroparesis. Methods Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of GP between January 2016 and December 2019 were included in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Data on patient demographics, hospital characteristics, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the etiology of gastroparesis were collected. The association between malnutrition and outcomes, including mortality, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI), length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges (THC), were analyzed using the multivariate regression model. Results A total of 182,580 patients with gastroparesis were included in the analysis. Patients with gastroparesis and malnutrition had a higher risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio {aOR}, 3.29; p<0.001), sepsis (aOR, 0.43; p<0.001), DVT (aOR, 2.34; p<0.001), and PE (aOR, 2.68; p<0.001) compared to patients with gastroparesis without malnutrition. No significant difference was noted in the rates of AKI. Patients with malnutrition also had a prolonged LOS (2.96 days; p<0.001) and higher THC ($22,890; p<0.001) compared to patients without malnutrition. Conclusion Gastroparesis patients with malnutrition are at a greater risk of worse outcomes than those without malnutrition. The early identification of malnutrition in gastroparesis patients can predict morbidity and mortality and assist in risk stratification to enhance outcomes. Further studies are encouraged to identify factors associated with malnutrition in gastroparesis and the impact of interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition.

Unusual sites of hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis: Case report.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an increasingly frequent cause of cancer-related death. The majority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are asymptomatic. In rare cases, patients may present with symptoms of extrahepatic metastases. Early identification can lead to timely treatment and prevent poor outcomes. We report three cases of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with unusual sites of metastasis, including clival, mandible, and cardiac involvement.

Prevalence and Impact of Malnutrition in Hospitalizations Among Celiac Diseases: A Nationwide Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Celiac disease (CD) is a T-cell-mediated gluten sensitivity that results in villous atrophy in the small intestine, leading to chronic malabsorption. Patients with celiac disease are prone to malnutrition. We assessed the impact of malnutrition on in-hospital outcomes in patients with CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of CD between January 2016 and December 2019 were included in the National Inpatient Sample Database. Data were collected on patient demographics, hospital characteristics, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and concomitant comorbidities. The association between malnutrition and outcomes, including mortality, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI), length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges (THC), was analyzed using the multivariate regression model. RESULTS: A total of 187310 patients with CD were included in the analysis. Patients with CD and malnutrition had a higher risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.08; p<0.001), AKI (aOR=1.18, p=0.003), and DVT (aOR=1.53; p<0.001) compared to patients with CD without malnutrition. No significant difference was noted in the rates of sepsis and PE. Patients with malnutrition also had a prolonged LOS (2.89 days; p<0.001) and higher THC ($22252.18; p<0.001) compared to patients without malnutrition. DISCUSSION: Patients with CD and malnutrition are at high risk of worse outcomes. Early identification of malnutrition in CD can help prevent morbidity and mortality. Even strict adherence to a gluten-free diet has been associated with malnutrition. Further studies identifying factors associated with malnutrition in CD and the impact of interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition are encouraged.

The Impact of Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in Acute Pancreatitis: Analysis of 1.1 Million Hospitalizations and Review of the Literature.

Introduction  Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common inflammatory disorder with acute onset and rapid progression. Studies have reported cardiac injury in patients with AP. It is often thought that stress cardiomyopathy can induce these changes leading to type 2 myocardial infarction (type 2 MI) in AP. Our study aims to assess the prevalence as well as the impact of type 2 MI on outcomes in patients with AP.  Methods National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016-2020 was used to identify adult patients (age>18) with acute pancreatitis. We excluded patients with STEMI, NSTEMI, pancreatic cancer, or chronic pancreatitis. Patients with missing demographics and mortality were also excluded. Patients were stratified into two groups, based on the presence of type 2 MI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of concomitant type 2 MI on mortality, sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI), ICU admission, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) after adjusting for patient demographics, hospital characteristics, etiology of AP and the Elixhauser comorbidities.  Results Of the 1.1 million patients in the study population, only 2315 patients had type 2 MI. The majority of the patients in the type 2 MI group were aged >65 years (49.2%, p<0.001), males (54.6%, p=0.63), White (67.6%, p=0.19), had Medicare insurance (55.5%, p<0.001), and were in the lowest income quartile (34.8%, p=0.12). Patients in the type 2 MI group had a higher incidence of mortality (5.4% vs 0.6%, p<0.001), sepsis (7.1% vs 3.7%, p<0.001), shock (9.3% vs 0.9%, p<0.001), AKI (42.9% vs. 11.8%, p<0.001) and ICU admission (12.1% vs 1.4%, p<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, patients in the type 2 MI group were noted to be at higher odds of mortality (aOR=2.4; 95% CI 1.5-3.8, p<0.001). Patients in the type 2 MI group had a longer length of stay (adjusted coefficient=2.1 days; 95% CI 1.4-2.8; p<0.001) and higher total hospitalization charges (adjusted coefficient=$45,088; 95% CI $30,224-$59,952; p<0.001).  Conclusion Although the prevalence of type 2 MI in AP is low, the presence of type 2 MI is associated with increased mortality and worse outcomes. Physicians should be aware of this association and these patients should be monitored carefully to prevent worse outcomes.

Does use of long-term aspirin impact outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis?

INTRODUCTION: Although the effect of rectal indomethacin in post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis is well established, the effect of aspirin on acute pancreatitis (AP) is not well studied. We investigate the effect of aspirin on AP. METHODS: We collected data from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2020, to identify adult patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients were stratified into 2 groups, based on the presence of aspirin use. The primary outcome was mortality, while other outcomes were sepsis, shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), ICU admission, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), portal vein thrombosis (PVT), pseudocyst and ileus. RESULTS: A total of 2.09 million patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 197 170 (9.41%) had long-term aspirin use. The majority of the patients with aspirin use were aged >65 years, male, White and had Medicare insurance. There was a higher incidence of biliary pancreatitis while rates of alcohol-induced pancreatitis were lower in patients with aspirin use. There was a lower incidence of mortality, sepsis, shock, PE, DVT, PVT and pseudocyst in patients with aspirin use. There was no difference in the incidence of ileus, while the incidence of AKI was higher. After adjusting for confounding factors, patients with aspirin use had a 23.6% lower risk of mortality. DISCUSSION: Our results reveal a significant finding of aspirin's protective effect on AP in the US population. Our study is the largest study revealing an association between aspirin and AP. Further studies assessing the role of aspirin use in AP are warranted.

Frailty as a risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Objectives: The concept of frailty has gained importance, especially in patients with liver disease. Our study systematically investigated the effect of frailty on post-procedural outcomes in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods: We used National Inpatient Sample(NIS) 2016-2019 data to identify patients who underwent TIPS. Hospital frailty risk score (HFRS) was used to classify patients as frail (HFRS>=5) and non-frail (HFRS<5). The relationship between frailty and outcomes such as death, post-procedural shock, non-home discharge, length of stay (LOS), post-procedural LOS, and total hospitalization charges (THC) was assessed. Results: A total of 13,700 patients underwent TIPS during 2016-2019. Of them, 5,995 (43.76%) patients were frail, while 7,705 (56.24%) were non-frail. There were no significant differences between the two groups based on age, gender, race, insurance, and income. Frail patients had higher mortality (15.18% vs. 2.07%, p<0.001), a higher incidence of non-home discharge (53.38% vs. 19.08%, p<0.001), a longer overall LOS (12.5 days vs. 3.35,p<0.001), longer post-procedural stay (8.2 days vs. 3.4 days, p<0.001), and higher THC ($240,746.7 vs. $121,763.1, p<0.001) compared to the non-frail patients. On multivariate analysis, frail patients had a statistically significant higher risk of mortality (aOR-3.22, 95% CI-1.98- 5.00, p<0.001). Conclusion: Frailty assessment can be beneficial in risk stratification in patients undergoing TIPS.