The factors associated with longitudinal changes in liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver stiffness (LS) as assessed by transient elastography (TE) can change longitudinally in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this study was to identify the factors that improve LS. METHODS: Between April 2007 and December 2012, 151 patients with CHB who underwent two TE procedures with an interval of about 2 years were enrolled. Ninety-six of the 151 patients were treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues [the antiviral therapy (+) group], while the remaining 55 patients were not [the antiviral therapy (-) group]. The two groups of patients were stratified according to whether they exhibited an improvement or a deterioration in LS during the study period (defined as an LS change of ≤0 or >0 kPa, respectively, over a 1-year period), and their data were compared. RESULTS: No differences were observed between the antiviral therapy (+) and (-) groups with respect to either their clinical characteristics or their initial LS. The observed LS improvement was significantly greater in the antiviral therapy (+) group than in the antiviral therapy (-) group (-3.0 vs. 0.98 kPa, P=0.011). In the antiviral therapy (+) group, the initial LS was higher in the LS improvement group (n=63) than in the LS deterioration group (n=33; 7.9 vs. 4.8 kPa, P<0.001). However, there were no differences in any other clinical characteristic. In the antiviral therapy (-) group, the initial LS was also higher in the LS improvement group (n=29) than in the LS deterioration group (n=26; 8.3 vs. 6.5 kPa, P=0.021), with no differences in any other clinical characteristic. CONCLUSIONS: A higher initial LS was the only factor associated with LS improvement in patients with CHB in this study.

Genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the transforming growth factor-ß1 gene in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1) is a key cytokine in the production of extracellular matrix. A genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the TGF-ß1 gene is associated with liver fibrosis. We investigated the effect of genetic polymorphisms at codon 10 on the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). METHODS: In total, 119 controls and 182 patients with ALC, were enrolled in the study. Clinical and laboratory data including total lifetime alcohol intake were collected at enrollment. The genotype at codon 10 was determined for each patient by single-strand conformation polymorphism. RESULTS: There were three types of genetic polymorphism at codon 10: homozygous proline (P/P), heterozygous proline/leucine (P/L), and homozygous leucine (L/L). Among the controls, the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L were 26.1%, 44.5%, and 29.4%, respectively in the ALC group, these proportions were 23.1%, 43.4%, and 33.5%, respectively. The genotype distribution did not differ between the controls and the ALC group. In the ALC group, age, total lifetime alcohol intake, and distribution of Child-Pugh class did not differ with the genotype. Of the male patients with ALC (n=164), the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L were 20.1%, 44.5%, and 35.4%, respectively the genotype distribution did not differ between the male controls and the male ALC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype at codon 10 in TGF-ß1 does not appear to influence the development of ALC. Further study is needed to investigate other genetic factors that influence the development of ALC in patients with chronic alcohol intake.

Short-term Clinical Outcomes Based on Risk Factors of Recurrence after Removing Common Bile Duct Stones with Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilatation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recurrence is an important late complication of endotherapy of bile duct stones. Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) can be used as an alternative method of removing difficult bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to evaluate short term clinical outcomes after removing common bile duct (CBD) stones using EPLBD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed based on the medical records of 141 patients who received EPLBD, with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy, between September 2008 and February 2010. Of these, 50 patients, were enrolled in the study. Clinical and endoscopic parameters were analyzed to identify risk factors for CBD stones recurrence. RESULTS: Male:Female ratio was 22:28 (mean age, 67.4±14.4 years). Recurrence rate was 24.0% (12/50). Mean follow-up period was 10.8±4.5 months. Nineteen (38.0%) had a history of surgery and 20 (40.0%) were comorbid with periampullary diverticula. Mean diameters of the stones and CBD were 13.8±4.3 mm and 20.1±7.2 mm, respectively. In univariate analysis, large CBD stones (≥12 mm) and angulated CBD (angle ≤145°) were identified as the significant predictors of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, angulated CBD (angle ≤145°) was the significant independent risk factor for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Close follow-up seems necessary in patients with angulated CBD (angle ≤145°).