Prevalence of Undiagnosed Acute Hepatic Porphyria in Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Overlap in Clinical Symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) presents with nausea and vomiting and can mimic cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). The prevalence of AHP in CVS and overlap in clinical symptomatology is not known. We thus sought to determine the prevalence of pathogenic variants for AHP and characterize symptom overlap between CVS and AHP. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 234 CVS patients using Rome criteria. Patients were eligible for AHP genetic testing if they had recurrent episodes of severe, diffuse abdominal pain with ≥ 2 of the following-peripheral nervous system (muscle weakness/aching, numbness, tingling), central nervous system (confusion, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations), autonomic nervous system (hyponatremia, tachycardia, hypertension, constipation) symptoms, red/brownish urine, or blistering skin lesions on sun-exposed areas. A family history of AHP or elevated urinary porphobilinogen (PBG)/aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) were also criteria for genetic testing and was performed using a 4-gene panel. RESULTS: Mean age was 38.7 ± 14.5 years, 180 (76.9%) were female and 200 (85.5%) were Caucasian. During a CVS attack, 173 (92%) reported abdominal pain, 166 (87.2%) had peripheral nervous system, 164 (86.8%) had central nervous system and 173 (92) % had autonomic symptoms. Ninety-one eligible patients completed genetic testing. None were positive for AHP but two had variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the HMBS gene. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of non-gastrointestinal symptoms in CVS, like AHP, which is important for clinicians to recognize. AHP was not detected in this study and larger studies are warranted to ascertain its prevalence.

Changes in Alcohol Use Patterns in the United States During COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has rapidly emerged as a public health emergency. In the United States, "stay-at-home" orders have led to loss of social routines and the closing of restaurants and bars; as a result, sales of alcohol have increased. The aim of this study was to assess changes in alcohol use patterns as a result of social distancing measures. METHODS: A single online survey was sent to a convenience sample of adults through social media. Self-reported demographics and alcohol use patterns before and during social distancing were obtained. RESULTS: Four hundred seventeen subjects completed the survey; 83% were women, 77% were married, 44% were between ages 35 and 44 years. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) scores increased from median value of 3 to 4 (P < 0.0001); the increase was statistically significant only in women (P < 0.0001). Fewer people use alcohol during social distancing; however, in those who use alcohol, the frequency and quantity ingested increased, as well as the frequency of alcohol use prior to 5 pm. Despite these increases, there was an overall reduction in binge drinking pattern. Multivariate analysis identified women, having children at home, and a history of substance abuse to be associated with increase in alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Among those who continue to drink alcohol, social distancing has led to a significant increase in the amount of alcohol ingested, frequency of alcohol use, and an increase in AUDIT-C scores in women suggesting hazardous alcohol use behaviors. Clinicians should continue to assess patient alcohol use during the pandemic. Further studies will be needed to assess long-term outcomes after the COVID-19 pandemic resolves.

Predictors and Barriers to Hepatitis B Screening in a Midwest Suburban Asian Population.

Despite guidelines recommending hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening among the Asian population, not all Asians are screened. We assessed barriers to and factors predicting HBV screening in Michigan. Adults residing in Southeast Michigan self-identifying as Asian were surveyed at Asian grocery stores, restaurants, churches, and community events. 404 persons participated in the survey, 54 % were women, median age was 51 years, 63 % were Chinese, and 93.8 % were born outside the U.S. 181 (44.8 %) had not or could not recall having been screened for HBV. Of these, 89 % said their primary care physicians (PCP) had never brought up screening. Unscreened participants were more likely to think HBV is genetically inherited and cannot be treated than those who had been screened. They were also more likely to think they should avoid close contact with others, would bring shame to their families, and lose their job, if found to be infected with HBV. Among 223 (55.2 %) who had been screened, 48 % said their PCP had the greatest influence in their decision to be screened and 70.9 % said they were screened at a doctor's visit. Screened participants were more likely to know someone with HBV, have a PCP, and have health insurance. Logistic regression analysis showed knowing someone with HBV was the only predictor for screening. Despite guidelines for HBV screening, only half of the Asian Americans surveyed had been screened. Increasing awareness among PCPs is needed to increase HBV screening in this population.

A Comparative Study of Liver Disease Care in the USA and Urban and Rural China.

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and China, but the etiology of liver disease, medical practice, and patient expectations in these two countries are different. AIMS: To compare patient knowledge about their liver disease, patient satisfaction with liver disease care, and patient medical decision-making preference in the USA and China. METHODS: Three cohorts of established adult patients with liver disease seen in liver clinics in Ann Arbor, USA, and Beijing (urban) and Hebei (rural), China, completed a survey between May and September 2014. RESULTS: A total of 990 patients (395 USA, 398 Beijing, and 197 Hebei) were analyzed. Mean liver disease knowledge score (maximum 5) in the USA, Beijing, and Hebei patients was 4.1, 3.6, and 3.0, respectively (p < 0.001). US patients had a greater preference for collaborative decision-making: 71.8 % preferred to make treatment decisions together with the doctor, while most Chinese patients (74.6 % Beijing and 84.8 % Hebei) preferred passive decision-making. Mean satisfaction score (maximum 85) in the USA was higher than in Beijing, which in turn was higher than in Hebei (78.2 vs. 66.5 vs. 60.3, p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between liver disease knowledge score and satisfaction score (r = 0.27, p < 0.001) and with collaborative medical decision-making (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) when responses from all sites were combined. CONCLUSIONS: Liver disease knowledge and patient satisfaction were greatest in the USA, followed by Beijing and then Hebei patients. Understanding these differences and associated factors may help to improve patient outcomes.