Indications and outcomes of liver retransplantation in three medical centers.

INTRODUCTION: retransplantation is the only viable treatment for patients with irreversible graft loss. The objective of this study was to analyze the indications and outcomes of liver retransplantation in three medical centers. METHODS: a total of 66 patients who underwent liver retransplantation from September 1991 to December 2021 were included in the study. A retrospective analysis was performed evaluating patients demographic, clinical, primary diagnosis, indications for and time interval to retransplantation, complications and patient survival. RESULTS: from a total of 1293 primary liver transplants performed, 70 required one or more liver retransplant. The main indication for primary transplant was hepatitis C cirrhosis (21,2%). Hepatic artery thrombosis was the main cause of retransplantation (60,6%), with almost half (46,9%) of retransplants having occurred within 30 days from initial procedure. The average survival time after a repeat liver transplant, was 89,1 months, with confidence interval from 54 to 124,2. The 1-,5- and 10- year survival rate following liver retransplant were 48,4%, 38% and 30,1%, respectively. Male gender, primary non function as the cause for retransplant, prolonged operative time and higher MELD were associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: operative mortality and morbidity rates of liver retransplantation are higher than those of the first transplantation. Male gender, primary non function, prolonged operative time and higher MELD were associated with less favorable outcomes.

Hospital admissions for chronic liver diseases: a temporal study in the South Region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiology and clinical profiles of hospital admissions in a single Brazilian Hepatology Unit from the period 2014-2017 to 2019-2022. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospital database from the abovementioned periods was done. The study included patients over the age of 18 years who were hospitalized due to complications of diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune liver and drug-induced hepatitis. RESULTS: In both study periods, middle-aged males were predominant and were younger than females. In the first period (2014-2017), hepatitis C (33.5%) was the most prevalent cause of admission, followed by alcoholic liver disease (31.7%). In the second period (2019-2022), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (38%) and alcoholic liver disease (27.6%) were the most frequent causes of admission. No changes were observed in the proportion of alcoholic liver disease or drug-induced hepatitis in both study periods. The prevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in both genders, with hepatitis C decreasing from 32.4 to 9.7% for males and 35.4 to 10.8% for females, and OR=0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.3 for both males and females. Similarly, the prevalence of hepatitis B decreased from 19.1 to 8.1% and OR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.5 for males and 8.2 to 3.7% and OR=0.4; 95%CI 0.1-0.9 for females. The prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases increased only in males, from 2.1 to 5.9% and OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.2-6.6. CONCLUSION: Over the past 4 years, there has been a shift in hospital admission profile at a Brazilian Hepatology Unit, with a decrease in viral hepatitis and an increase in autoimmune diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Males were more affected at younger ages than females. Furthermore, ascites was the most prevalent cause of complications in both periods analyzed.

Hospital admissions for chronic liver diseases: a temporal study in the South Region of Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiology and clinical profiles of hospital admissions in a single Brazilian Hepatology Unit from the period 2014-2017 to 2019-2022. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospital database from the abovementioned periods was done. The study included patients over the age of 18 years who were hospitalized due to complications of diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune liver and drug-induced hepatitis. RESULTS: In both study periods, middle-aged males were predominant and were younger than females. In the first period (2014-2017), hepatitis C (33.5%) was the most prevalent cause of admission, followed by alcoholic liver disease (31.7%). In the second period (2019-2022), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (38%) and alcoholic liver disease (27.6%) were the most frequent causes of admission. No changes were observed in the proportion of alcoholic liver disease or drug-induced hepatitis in both study periods. The prevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in both genders, with hepatitis C decreasing from 32.4 to 9.7% for males and 35.4 to 10.8% for females, and OR=0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.3 for both males and females. Similarly, the prevalence of hepatitis B decreased from 19.1 to 8.1% and OR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.5 for males and 8.2 to 3.7% and OR=0.4; 95%CI 0.1-0.9 for females. The prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases increased only in males, from 2.1 to 5.9% and OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.2-6.6. CONCLUSION: Over the past 4 years, there has been a shift in hospital admission profile at a Brazilian Hepatology Unit, with a decrease in viral hepatitis and an increase in autoimmune diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Males were more affected at younger ages than females. Furthermore, ascites was the most prevalent cause of complications in both periods analyzed.

Indications and outcomes of liver retransplantation in three medical centers / Indicações e resultados do retransplante hepático em três centros médicos

ABSTRACT Introduction: retransplantation is the only viable treatment for patients with irreversible graft loss. The objective of this study was to analyze the indications and outcomes of liver retransplantation in three medical centers. Methods: a total of 66 patients who underwent liver retransplantation from September 1991 to December 2021 were included in the study. A retrospective analysis was performed evaluating patients demographic, clinical, primary diagnosis, indications for and time interval to retransplantation, complications and patient survival. Results: from a total of 1293 primary liver transplants performed, 70 required one or more liver retransplant. The main indication for primary transplant was hepatitis C cirrhosis (21,2%). Hepatic artery thrombosis was the main cause of retransplantation (60,6%), with almost half (46,9%) of retransplants having occurred within 30 days from initial procedure. The average survival time after a repeat liver transplant, was 89,1 months, with confidence interval from 54 to 124,2. The 1-,5- and 10- year survival rate following liver retransplant were 48,4%, 38% and 30,1%, respectively. Male gender, primary non function as the cause for retransplant, prolonged operative time and higher MELD were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: operative mortality and morbidity rates of liver retransplantation are higher than those of the first transplantation. Male gender, primary non function, prolonged operative time and higher MELD were associated with less favorable outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: retransplante é o único tratamento viável para pacientes com perda irreversível do enxerto. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as indicações e resultados do retransplante hepático em três centros médicos. Métodos: foram incluídos no estudo 66 pacientes submetidos a retransplante hepático no período de setembro de 1991 a dezembro de 2021. Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva avaliando dados demográficos, clínicos, diagnóstico primário dos pacientes, indicações e intervalo de tempo para retransplante, complicações e sobrevida do paciente. Resultados: de um total de 1.293 transplantes primários de fígado realizados, 70 necessitaram de um ou mais retransplantes de fígado. A principal indicação de transplante primário foi cirrose por hepatite C (21,2%). A trombose da artéria hepática foi a principal causa de retransplante (60,6%), sendo que quase metade (46,9%) dos retransplantes ocorreu dentro de 30 dias do procedimento inicial. O tempo médio de sobrevivência após retransplante de fígado foi de 89,1 meses, com intervalo de confiança de 54 a 124,2. A taxa de sobrevivência de 1,5 e 10 anos após o retransplante de fígado foi de 48,4%, 38% e 30,1%, respectivamente. Gênero masculino, disfunção primária do enxerto como causa de retransplante, tempo operatório prolongado e maior MELD foram associados a maior mortalidade. Conclusão: as taxas de mortalidade e morbidade operatórias do retransplante hepático são superiores às do primeiro transplante. Sexo masculino, disfunção primária do enxerto, tempo operatório prolongado e maior MELD foram associados a desfechos menos favoráveis.

National Brazilian survey on the outcomes of hepatitis c retreatment in patients non-responders to direct antiviral agents

ABSTRACT Background and aims: Treatment of hepatitis C with direct antiviral agents (DAA) is associated with almost 95% of sustained virological response. However, some patients need retreatment. In Brazil, it should be done according to the Ministry of Health guidelines, frequently updated to include newly available drugs. This study aimed to conduct a national survey about the characteristics and outcomes of retreatment of hepatitis C in previously non-responders to DAAs. Patients and methods: Institutions from all over the country were invited to participate in a national registry for retreatment, including information about clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients, type and outcomes of retreatment regimens. Only patients previously treated with interferon-free regimens were included. Results: As previous treatments the distribution was: SOF/DCV (56%), SOF/SIM (22%), 3D (11%), SOF/LED (6%) and SOF/RBV (5%). For retreatment the most frequently used drugs were SOF/GP (46%), SOF/DCV (23%) and SOF/VEL (11%). From 159 patients retreated, 132/159 (83%) had complete information in the registry and among them only seven patients were non-responders (SVR of 94.6%). All retreatments were well tolerated, without any serious adverse events or interruptions. Conclusion: The retreatment of patients previously non-responders to DAAs was associated with high rate of SVR in this sample of Brazilian patients. This finding allows us to conclude that the retreatment options available in the public health system in Brazil are effective and safe and are an important component of the strategy of elimination of hepatitis C in our country.

Uso do Stroop EncephalApp para o screening de encefalopatia hepática mínima em pacientes cirróticos no sul do Brasil / Use of the stroop encephalapp for covert hepatic encephalopathy screening in cirrhotic patients in southern brazil

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is difficult to detect due to the lack of easily applicable screening tools. The Stroop EncephalApp is a smartphone application already validated for CHE screening. However, its applicability to the Brazilian population is not known. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of CHE and evaluate the use of Stroop EncephalApp in a cirrhotic population in Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 99 patients previously diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in a Private Hospital in Curitiba/PR. Patients were initially submitted to the mini mental state examination (MMSE) to exclude individuals with dementia. After, the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) test was performed and lastly, the Stroop EncephalApp test. Results were adjusted for age, sex and education levels to evaluate the accuracy of the app on detecting the disease, comparing its results with the gold standard method (PHES). Patients with one or more of the following were excluded: dementia, inadequate MMSE score, illiteracy, color blindness, history of drugs/alcohol abuse within the past 3 months and previous or actual episodes of encephalopathy. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 2.0 and the significance adopted by 5%. RESULTS: We included 82 individuals in the final analysis. Among these patients, 29 were diagnosed with CHE by the PHES test (35.36% prevalence) and 28 of those obtained equal diagnosis by the Stroop EncephalApp (96.6% sensitivity). A total of 53 patients obtained negative results for CHE by PHES, while the Stroop test classified 27 of them as having the disease. In the multivariate analysis, high levels of education were associated with better performance during the tests. No significant relationship was observed between age and sex with the probability of diagnosing CHE through the PHES test.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A encefalopatia hepática mínima (EHM) é uma complicação neuro-psiquiátrica da cirrose cuja detecção é dificultada pela falta de ferramentas práticas. O Stroop EncephalApp é um aplicativo de smartphones capaz de detectar a doença, entretanto sua aplicabilidade na população brasileira ainda não é conhecida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso do Stroop EncephalApp para diagnóstico e avaliação de EHM em uma população de pacientes cirróticos no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Através de um estudo observacional transversal, 99 indivíduos sabidamente cirróticos foram recrutados do ambulatório de hepatologia de um hospital privado em Curitiba/PR. Primeiramente, foram aplicados o mini exame do estado mental (MEEM) para excluir indivíduos com demência; após, foram aplicados o Escore Psicométrico da Encefalopatia Hepática (PHES), atual padrão-ouro para diagnóstico de EHM, e posteriormente o Stroop EncephalApp, ajustando para idade, sexo e anos de formação acadêmica, buscando avaliar a eficiência do aplicativo em detectar a doença e comparar seus resultados com o atual padrão-ouro. Foram excluídos do estudo indivíduos com demência, pontuação insuficiente no MEEM, analfabetos, daltônicos, e com histórico de abuso de álcool/drogas ilícitas nos últimos 3 meses e paciente com episódios prévios ou atuais de encefalopatia hepática. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo SPSS 2.0 e a significância adotada em 5%. RESULTADOS: Um total de 82 indivíduos foram incluídos na análise final. Destes, 29 foram diagnosticados com EHM (35,36% de prevalência) através do PHES e 28 obtiveram o mesmo resultado após a aplicação do Stroop (96,6% de sensibilidade). Cinquenta e três pacientes obtiveram um resultado negativo para EHM através do PHES, sendo que 27 desses obtiveram um resultado positivo para EHM através do Stroop. Na análise multivariada, níveis elevados de escolaridade estiveram associados com melhor desempenho durante a execução dos testes. Não houve associação significativa entre idade e sexo com a probabilidade de apresentar encefalopatia através do PHES. CONCLUSÃO: O Stroop EncephalApp é uma ferramenta viável e com boa sensibilidade para o screening de EHM, mas possui baixa especificidade na população estudada.

USE OF THE STROOP ENCEPHALAPP FOR COVERT HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY SCREENING IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND: Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is difficult to detect due to the lack of easily applicable screening tools. The Stroop EncephalApp is a smartphone application already validated for CHE screening. However, its applicability to the Brazilian population is not known. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of CHE and evaluate the use of Stroop EncephalApp in a cirrhotic population in Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 99 patients previously diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in a Private Hospital in Curitiba/PR. Patients were initially submitted to the mini mental state examination (MMSE) to exclude individuals with dementia. After, the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) test was performed and lastly, the Stroop EncephalApp test. Results were adjusted for age, sex and education levels to evaluate the accuracy of the app on detecting the disease, comparing its results with the gold standard method (PHES). Patients with one or more of the following were excluded: dementia, inadequate MMSE score, illiteracy, color blindness, history of drugs/alcohol abuse within the past 3 months and previous or actual episodes of encephalopathy. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 2.0 and the significance adopted by 5%. RESULTS: We included 82 individuals in the final analysis. Among these patients, 29 were diagnosed with CHE by the PHES test (35.36% prevalence) and 28 of those obtained equal diagnosis by the Stroop EncephalApp (96.6% sensitivity). A total of 53 patients obtained negative results for CHE by PHES, while the Stroop test classified 27 of them as having the disease. In the multivariate analysis, high levels of education were associated with better performance during the tests. No significant relationship was observed between age and sex with the probability of diagnosing CHE through the PHES test.

CURING HEPATITIS C WITH THE NEW DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRALS DID NOT IMPROVE INSULIN RESISTANCE AFTER ONE YEAR.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C still figures as an important cause of morbidity among the Brazilian population, and is closely associated with metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance (IR), which can be evaluated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). IR may entail lower sustained virologic response (SVR) on certain therapeutic regimens and faster progression to advanced hepatic fibrosis. With the arrival of the direct acting agents (DAA) in hepatitis C treatment, there is an increased need in observing the impact in patients' IR profile while using such therapies. OBJECTIVE: - 1) To compare the results of HOMA-IR in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C before treatment with DAA and 12 months after finishing it with SVR. 2) To evaluate the evolution of weight after curing chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: We included patients older than 18 from two tertiary care in Curitiba - PR, of both sexes, with chronic hepatitis C, treated with DAA, from July 2015 to September 2017. We also evaluated the patients' levels of fasting insulin, fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin before starting treatment and 12 months after finishing it. We also used epidemiologic data, such as age, sex, hepatic fibrosis degree, body mass index, abdominal circumference, viral genotype and the presence of diabetes mellitus before and after treatment. IR was assessed before and after treatment and calculated by the HOMA-IR score. Insulin resistance was defined by a HOMA-IR greater than 2.5. We excluded patients who lost follow-up, those who did not achieve SRV and those who did not have a laboratory profile. The results of quantitative variables were described by means, medians, and standard deviations. P values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: We included 75 patients in this study, with a mean age of 55.2 years and 60% of males. Forty-three patients had advanced fibrosis. Twenty one (28%) had a previous diabetes mellitus diagnosis. We identified 31 (41.3%) patients with IR before antiviral treatment, and this number increased to 39 (52%) after 12 months of finishing treatment, according to HOMA-IR. There was no statistic difference between insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR measurements before and after curing hepatitis C. We observed a weight gain in patients shortly after curing hepatitis C, but this did not persist at the end of the study. We also had no significant difference in IR prevalence when viral genotype was concerned. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no statistically significant difference between HOMA-IR results in patients before and 12 months after treatment for hepatitis C. Even though patients gained weight after the cure, this was not statistically significant after a year (P=0.131).

A cura da hepatite C crônica com os novos antivirais de ação direta não resultou em melhora da resistência insulínica a curto prazo / Curing hepatitis c with the new direct acting antivirals did not improve insulin resistance after one year

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C still figures as an important cause of morbidity among the Brazilian population, and is closely associated with metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance (IR), which can be evaluated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). IR may entail lower sustained virologic response (SVR) on certain therapeutic regimens and faster progression to advanced hepatic fibrosis. With the arrival of the direct acting agents (DAA) in hepatitis C treatment, there is an increased need in observing the impact in patients' IR profile while using such therapies. OBJECTIVE: - 1) To compare the results of HOMA-IR in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C before treatment with DAA and 12 months after finishing it with SVR. 2) To evaluate the evolution of weight after curing chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: We included patients older than 18 from two tertiary care in Curitiba - PR, of both sexes, with chronic hepatitis C, treated with DAA, from July 2015 to September 2017. We also evaluated the patients' levels of fasting insulin, fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin before starting treatment and 12 months after finishing it. We also used epidemiologic data, such as age, sex, hepatic fibrosis degree, body mass index, abdominal circumference, viral genotype and the presence of diabetes mellitus before and after treatment. IR was assessed before and after treatment and calculated by the HOMA-IR score. Insulin resistance was defined by a HOMA-IR greater than 2.5. We excluded patients who lost follow-up, those who did not achieve SRV and those who did not have a laboratory profile. The results of quantitative variables were described by means, medians, and standard deviations. P values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: We included 75 patients in this study, with a mean age of 55.2 years and 60% of males. Forty-three patients had advanced fibrosis. Twenty one (28%) had a previous diabetes mellitus diagnosis. We identified 31 (41.3%) patients with IR before antiviral treatment, and this number increased to 39 (52%) after 12 months of finishing treatment, according to HOMA-IR. There was no statistic difference between insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR measurements before and after curing hepatitis C. We observed a weight gain in patients shortly after curing hepatitis C, but this did not persist at the end of the study. We also had no significant difference in IR prevalence when viral genotype was concerned. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no statistically significant difference between HOMA-IR results in patients before and 12 months after treatment for hepatitis C. Even though patients gained weight after the cure, this was not statistically significant after a year (P=0.131).

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A hepatite C crônica ainda figura como importante causa de morbimortalidade na população brasileira, e está associada a alterações metabólicas, incluindo a resistência insulínica (RI), que pode ser avaliada pelo índice HOMA-IR. A RI pode inclusive implicar em menores taxas de reposta virológica sustentada (RVS) em certos regimes terapêuticos e à uma mais rápida progressão para fibrose hepática avançada. Com o advento dos novos antivirais de ação direta (DAA) oferecidos para hepatite C, há crescente necessidade de observar o impacto dos mesmos no perfil de RI em pacientes submetidos à tais terapêuticas. OBJETIVO: - 1) Comparar os valores do HOMA-IR dos pacientes com hepatite C crônica antes do tratamento com os DAAS com os valores deste índice após 12 meses do término do tratamento com RVS. 2) Avaliar evolução do peso após obtenção da cura da hepatite C crônica. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes maiores de 18 anos de dois serviços terciários de Curitiba - PR, de ambos os sexos, portadores de hepatite C crônica, com tratamento com os antivirais de ação direta, no período de julho de 2015 a setembro de 2017. Tais pacientes também foram submetidos a dosagem dos níveis de insulina de jejum, glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada antes de iniciar o tratamento da hepatite C e até 12 meses após o término. Também foram utilizados dados como idade, sexo, grau de fibrose hepática, índice de massa corporal, circunferência abdominal, genótipo viral e presença de diabetes mellitus antes e depois do tratamento. A RI foi estimada antes e após 12 meses do término do tratamento e calculada pelo HOMA-IR. Os resultados de variáveis quantitativas foram descritos por médias, medianas, valores mínimos, valores máximos e desvios padrões. Valores de P<0,05 indicaram significância estatística. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 75 pacientes no estudo com média de idade de 55,2 anos, sendo 60% do sexo masculino. Destes pacientes, 43 tinham fibrose avançada. Vinte e um (28%) pacientes tinham o diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus. A RI foi observada em 31 (41,3%) pacientes antes do tratamento antiviral, sendo que este número aumentou para 39 (52%) de acordo com a dosagem do HOMA-IR 12 meses após o término do tratamento. Não houve diferença estatística entre os valores de insulina, glicemia e HOMA-IR antes e após a cura da hepatite. Houve um ganho de peso inicial após a obtenção da cura da hepatite C, mas que não se manteve ao final do estudo. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi vista diferença estatística significante entre os valores do HOMA-IR apresentados pelos pacientes portadores de hepatite C crônica antes do tratamento e 12 meses após a cura da doença. Embora tenha ocorrido ganho de peso após obtenção da cura da doença, este não se deu de forma estatisticamente significativa (P=0,131) ao final de um ano.

EVALUATION OF PROGRESSION OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE ACCOMPANIED FOR 10 YEARS.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been progressively diagnosed in the general population as a consequence of the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, its main risk factors. It is characterized by accumulation of fat in the hepatocytes associated with lobular inflammation and balonization, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Thus, a characterization and follow-up of a progression of the fibrosis level of these patients becomes important, being that the transient hepatic elastography is a reliable method for this evaluation with a measure of the kapa index. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of hepatic fibrosis through elastography in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients who had previously performed hepatic biopsy and noninvasive scores for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis were included in the study. These same subjects were then submitted to current clinical evaluation, laboratory and liver elastography tests, defining the level of liver fibrosis, about 10 years after the first evaluation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 66 patients previously submitted to liver biopsy. Of these, 16 were not found, four could not participate because they were debilitated due to hepatic cirrhosis, two had died from an automobile accident and five from complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, of the 50 patients with a known history, 9 (18%) had died of cirrhosis or were unable to attend the examination because of their liver disease. The remaining population was predominantly female (61.5%), mean age of 63 years, being overweight, dyslipidemia (76.9%), disorders of the glycemic profile (76.9%), and metabolic syndrome (82.1%). Of the 39 cases evaluated, 35% had the same degree of fibrosis at the initial evaluation (biopsy) and at the current evaluation (elastography), 33% had an increase in the degree of fibrosis and another 30% had a decrease in the degree of fibrosis. Twenty-eight patients had NASH at baseline. Regarding these patients, it was observed in the current evaluation, that 25% remained stable in the degree of fibrosis, 39% progressed, and 35% regressed. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations of our study, such as the small number of patients, and the use of two different methods of evaluation (biopsy and elastography), the data obtained allow us to conclude that of the 39 evaluated cases, 33% (13) presented progression of fibrosis and the total group of 50 patients, 42% had cirrhosis or died due to liver disease. The presence of NASH on hepatic biopsy did not prove to be, in our study, a predictive of the evolution of hepatic fibrosis in the patients.

Avaliação da progressão da fibrose hepática em um grupo de pacientes com doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica acompanhados por 10 anos / Evaluation of progression of hepatic fibrosis in a group of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease accompanied for 10 years

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been progressively diagnosed in the general population as a consequence of the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, its main risk factors. It is characterized by accumulation of fat in the hepatocytes associated with lobular inflammation and balonization, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Thus, a characterization and follow-up of a progression of the fibrosis level of these patients becomes important, being that the transient hepatic elastography is a reliable method for this evaluation with a measure of the kapa index. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of hepatic fibrosis through elastography in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients who had previously performed hepatic biopsy and noninvasive scores for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis were included in the study. These same subjects were then submitted to current clinical evaluation, laboratory and liver elastography tests, defining the level of liver fibrosis, about 10 years after the first evaluation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 66 patients previously submitted to liver biopsy. Of these, 16 were not found, four could not participate because they were debilitated due to hepatic cirrhosis, two had died from an automobile accident and five from complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, of the 50 patients with a known history, 9 (18%) had died of cirrhosis or were unable to attend the examination because of their liver disease. The remaining population was predominantly female (61.5%), mean age of 63 years, being overweight, dyslipidemia (76.9%), disorders of the glycemic profile (76.9%), and metabolic syndrome (82.1%). Of the 39 cases evaluated, 35% had the same degree of fibrosis at the initial evaluation (biopsy) and at the current evaluation (elastography), 33% had an increase in the degree of fibrosis and another 30% had a decrease in the degree of fibrosis. Twenty-eight patients had NASH at baseline. Regarding these patients, it was observed in the current evaluation, that 25% remained stable in the degree of fibrosis, 39% progressed, and 35% regressed. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations of our study, such as the small number of patients, and the use of two different methods of evaluation (biopsy and elastography), the data obtained allow us to conclude that of the 39 evaluated cases, 33% (13) presented progression of fibrosis and the total group of 50 patients, 42% had cirrhosis or died due to liver disease. The presence of NASH on hepatic biopsy did not prove to be, in our study, a predictive of the evolution of hepatic fibrosis in the patients.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica vem sendo diagnosticada com frequência progressivamente maior na população geral, como consequência do aumento da prevalência da obesidade e do diabetes mellitus tipo 2, considerados seus principais fatores de risco. Caracteriza-se por acúmulo de gordura nos hepatócitos associada à inflamação lobular e balonização, podendo levar à cirrose e hepatocarcinoma. Desta forma, torna-se importante a caracterização e acompanhamento do nível de fibrose hepática destes pacientes, sendo que a elastografia hepática transitória, tem se mostrado um método confiável para esta avaliação com a medida do índice kapa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a progressão da fibrose hepática através de elastografia em pacientes com doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes que haviam realizado anteriormente biópsia hepática e cálculo de escores não invasivos para avaliação de esteato-hepatite não alcoólica (EHNA) e fibrose. Estes mesmos indivíduos foram então submetidos à avaliação clínica, laboratorial e exame de elastografia hepática atuais, definindo o nível de fibrose hepática, cerca de 10 anos após a primeira avaliação. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados dados relativos a 66 pacientes previamente submetidos a biópsia hepática. Destes, 16 não foram localizados, quatro não puderam participar por estarem incapacitados em função de cirrose hepática, dois haviam falecido por acidente automobilístico e cinco, por complicações de cirrose hepática. Portanto, do grupo de 50 pacientes com evolução conhecida, nove (18%) haviam falecido por cirrose ou estavam incapacitados de comparecer ao exame em função de sua doença hepática. A população restante era predominantemente do sexo feminino (61,5%), com idade média de 63 anos, apresentando sobrepeso, dislipidemia (76,9%), distúrbios do metabolismo glicêmico (76,9%) e síndrome metabólica (82,1%). Dos 39 casos avaliados, 35% tiveram o mesmo grau de fibrose na avaliação inicial (biópsia) e na avaliação atual (elastografia), 33% tiveram aumento no grau de fibrose e outros 30% tiveram diminuição no grau de fibrose. Vinte e oito pacientes apresentavam EHNA na avaliação inicial. Em relação a esses pacientes observou-se na avaliação atual que, 25% mantiveram-se estáveis no grau de fibrose, 39% progrediram e, 35% regrediram. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de algumas limitações do nosso estudo, como o pequeno número de pacientes e o uso de dois métodos diferentes de avaliação (biópsia e elastografia), os dados obtidos nos permitem concluir que dos 39 casos avaliados, 33% apresentaram progressão da fibrose e do grupo total de 50 pacientes, 42% apresentam cirrose ou faleceram em decorrência de doença hepática. A presença de EHNA à biópsia hepática não se mostrou um dado capaz, no nosso estudo, de predizer a evolução da fibrose hepática nos pacientes.

Importância da medida dos níveis de infliximabe em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal: uma coorte Brasileira / Importance of measuring levels of infliximab in patients treating inflammatory bowel disease in a brazilian cohort

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. In such pathologies, there is an increased production of alpha tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). Patients, in whom the conventional immunosuppressant treatment fails, require the use of immunobiological therapy, such as anti-TNF-α, a monoclonal antibody. Infliximab is an anti-TNF-α drug, a chimerical immunoglobulin, with a murine component, which is responsible for the generation of immunogenicity against the drug and formation of anti-TNF-α antibodies. The presence of anti-drug antibodies may be responsible for adverse events and reduction of the drug's effectiveness. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases undergoing therapy with biological medication, such as infliximab, can relapse overtime and this may not be translated into clinical symptoms. Thus, there is a need for a method to evaluate the efficacy of the drug, through the measurement of serum infliximab levels, as well as antibodies research. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure serum infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases post-induction phase and during maintenance therapy, and describe the therapeutic modifications that took place based on the serum levels results. METHODS: It was a retrospective study, that included forty-five patients, with a total of 63 samples of infliximab measurement. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had an adequate infliximab serum level, 31 had subtherapeutic levels and 11 had supratherapeutic levels. Seven patients had their medication suspended due to therapeutic failure or high levels of antibodies to infliximab. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, only a third of the patients had adequate infliximab levels and 36% presented with subtherapeutic levels at the end of the induction phase. Therapy optimization occurred based in about 46% of the samples results, demonstrating the importance of having this tool to help the clinical handling of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases ongoing biologic therapy.

RESUMO CONTEÚDO: Doença de Crohn e retocolite ulcerativa são doenças inflamatórias intestinais crônicas. Nelas, ocorre aumento da produção de fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α). Pacientes que falham no tratamento convencional imunossupressor, requerem uso de terapia imunobio­lógica, que são anticorpos monoclonais, principalmente os anti-TNF-α. O infliximabe é uma droga anti-TNF-α, uma imunoglobulina quimérica, com componente murino. Este é responsável pela imunogenicidade da droga e a formação de anticorpos. Presença de anticorpos antidroga pode ser responsável pelos eventos adversos e redução da eficácia da droga. Pacientes com doenças inflamatórias intestinais, em terapia imunossupressora com medicação biológica como o infliximabe, podem ter recaída da doença e muitas vezes isso não se relaciona com a sintomatologia do paciente. Por isso há a necessidade de um método de avaliação do efeito da droga como a dosagem do nivel sérico do infliximabe, bem como da pesquisa de anticorpos. OBJETIVO: O estudo tem como objetivo conhecer os níveis séricos do infliximabe e dos anticorpos anti-infliximabe em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal em terapia de manutenção ou pós-indução e descrever as condutas terapêuticas que foram modificadas em função dos níveis séricos de infliximabe e anticorpos para infliximabe. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo restrospectivo, com análise da dosagem dos níveis séricos de infliximabe e anticorpos para Infliximabe. Foram incluídos 45 pacientes, num total de 63 coletas de dosagem de infliximabe. RESULTADOS: Vinte e um paciente estavam com o nível sérico de infliximabe adequado, níveis subterapêuticos em 31 pacientes e níveis supraterapêuticos em 11 pacientes. Sete pacientes tiveram a medicação suspensa por falha terapêutica ou altos níveis de anticorpos para infliximabe. CONCLUSÃO: Apenas um terço dos pacientes apresentavam níveis adequados de infliximabe e 36% dos pacientes apresentavam níveis subterapêuticos ao término da indução. Em cerca de 46% das amostras a conduta adotada se baseou nos níveis de infliximabe e anticorpos para infliximabe demonstrando a importância de se ter esta ferramenta para auxílio no manejo clínico dos pacientes portadores de doenças inflamatórias intestinais em terapia biológica.

Hepatite E crônica - relato de um caso brasileiro / Chronic hepatitis E - a brazilian case report

Hepatite é a quinta forma conhecida de hepatites humanas virais. Apesar de ser muito incomum em nossa prática clínica, a incidência em países ocidentais vem aumentando. O vírus da Hepatite E (HVE) pode estar relacionado à doença aguda, falência hepática, hepatite crônica e cirrose. O HVE é um RNA vírus, com 5 genótipos descritos (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5), sendo que quatro deles podem afetar humanos. Além das manifestações hepáticas, o genótipo 3 pode também levar a manifestações extra-hepáticas, como alterações neurológicas, renais e reumatológicas. O diagnóstico pode ser difícil porque existem poucos testes validados e ainda com baixa sensibilidade e especificidade. A hepatite aguda não precisa ser tratada, já a hepatite E crônica deve ser tratada. Relatamos aqui um caso brasileiro de Hepatite E crônica em um paciente imunossuprimido.

Hepatitis E is the fifth known form of human viral hepatitis. Although not very common in our clinical practice, the incidence in Western countries is increasing. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) may be related to acute illness, liver failure, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. HEV is an RNA virus, with 5 described genotypes (1,2,3,4,5), 4 of them can affect humans. Besides liver manifestations, genotype 3 is also related to extra-hepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal and rheumatological. The diagnosis may be difficult because of the low availability of tests and due to low sensibility and specificity. The acute illness does not have to be treated, but the chronic one does. We presente here a Brazilian case of chronic hepatitis E in an immunosuppressed patient.

ACOUSTIC RADIATION FORCE IMPULSE IS EQUIVALENT TO LIVER BIOPSY TO EVALUATE LIVER FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C AND NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE / Exame de sonoelastografia é equivalente a biópsia hepática na análise de fibrose em pacientes portadores de hepatite C crônica e doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica

BackgroundLiver biopsy is recommended as the gold standard method for assessing the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. However, it is invasive, with potential risks and complications. Elastography is an ultrasound technique that provides information of changes in the liver tissue, evaluating tissue elasticity and acoustic radiation force impulse is one of the available techniques.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of acoustic radiation force impulse comparing to liver biopsy to evaluate fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.MethodsTwenty four patients were included, everyone underwent liver biopsy and acoustic radiation force impulse, and the results were compared with values described in the literature by several authors.ResultsIn the population of patients with chronic hepatitis C, our data were better correlated with data published by Carmen Fierbinteanu-Braticevici et al., with an accuracy of 82.4%, sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 90%. For nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, our data were better correlated with data published by Masato Yoneda et al., with an accuracy of 85.7%, sensitivity 80% and specificity of 100%.ConclusionAcoustic radiation force impulse is a method with good accuracy to distinguish initial fibrosis from advanced fibrosis in hepatitis C virus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and can replace biopsy in most cases.

ContextoA biópsia hepática é considerada padrão-ouro para definição de fibrose hepática em pacientes com doença hepática crônica. No entanto, é um método invasivo, com potenciais riscos e complicações. A elastografia é uma técnica de ultrassonografia que fornece informações sobre variações no tecido hepático, avaliando elasticidade tecidual e sonoelastografia é uma das técnicas disponíveis.ObjetivoO principal objetivo do estudo é avaliar a sensibilidade e especificidade da sonoelastografia comparada a biópsia hepática para análise do grau de fibrose hepática em pacientes com hepatite C crônica e doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica.MétodosVinte e quatro pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, submetidos a biópsia hepática e sonoelastografia. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados a valores descritos na literatura por diferentes autores.ResultadosNa população de pacientes com hepatite C crônica, os dados melhor se correlacionaram com resultados publicados por Carmen Fierbinteanu-Braticevici e col, com uma acurácia de 82,4%, sensibilidade de 71,4% e especificidade de 90%. Para doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica, a melhor correlação se deu com dados publicados por Masato Yoneda e col, com acurácia de 85,7%, sensibilidade de 80% e especificidade de 100%.ConclusãoSonoelastografia é um método com boa acurácia para diferenciar fibrose avançada de fibrose inicial e pode substituir a biópsia hepática na maioria das vezes.

Doenças hepatobiliares eosinofílicas: relato de dois casos e revisão de literatura / Eosinophilic hepatobiliary diseases: a report of two cases and literature review

As doenças hepatobiliares eosinofílicas são patologias raras de origem e de fatores etiológicos ainda não esclarecidos, sendo muitas vezes relacionadas à gastroenterite eosinofílica ou síndrome hipereosinofílica. Caracterizam-se por infiltração de eosinófilos em tecidos hepatobiliares e podem estar associadas à eosinofilia periférica na ausência de outras causas de eosinofilia. A raridade e conhecimento incompleto dessas doenças refletem na dificuldade de diagnóstico e de escolha terapêutica. O diagnóstico é feito através da exclusão de outras causas de eosinofilia periférica, tais como parasitoses, reações medicamentosas e doenças malignas, e também por análise histopatológica do tecido infiltrado. A maioria dos casos é responsiva ao tratamento com corticosteroides. Descrevemos dois casos clínicos, um de colecistite eosinofílica e outro de hepatite eosinofílica, avaliando, segundo revisão de literatura, a possibilidade de uma gastroenterite eosinofílica ou de uma síndrome hipereosinofílica em ambos os casos.

The eosinophilic hepatobiliary diseases are rare pathologies of origin and etiologic factors not yet clarified, being many times related to eosinophilic gastroenteritis or hipereosinophilic syndrome. They are characterized by an infiltration of eosinophils in hepatobiliary tissues and can be associated to peripheral eosinophilia, in the absence of other eosinophilia causes. The rareness and incomplete knowledge about these diseases reflect on the difficulty of diagnosis and choice of treatment. The diagnosis is made through exclusion of other causes of peripheral eosinofilia, such as parasitosis, drug reactions and malignant diseases, and also through histopathological analysis of the infiltrated tissue. Most cases respond to treatment with corticosteroids. We reported two cases, one of eosinophilic colecistitis and other of eosinophilic hepatitis, evaluating, according to literature review, the possibility of eosinophilic gastroenteritis or hipereosinophilic syndrome in both cases.

Pseudocisto peritoneal por tuberculose: relato de caso / Peritoneal pseudocyst by tuberculosis: case report

A tuberculose peritoneal sempre constitui-se em forma rara de aparecimento da doença e através dos bons resultados obtidos com seu controle endêmico, ainda mais difícil é o diagnóstico da forma abdominal, pois as equipes médicas não estão mais acostumadas a pensar nesta possibilidade...

Peritoneal tuberculosis is frequently forgotten when the medical team face an abdominal distress without evidence of a known disease. The endemic control promoted a decrease in cases mainly on it's abdominal form...