Risk of advanced fibrosis in first-degree relatives of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUNDA pilot, single-center study showed that first-degree relatives of probands with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cirrhosis have a high risk of advanced fibrosis. We aimed to validate these findings using 2 independent cohorts from the US and Europe.METHODSThis prospective study included probands with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis, NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, and non-NAFLD, with at least 1 first-degree relative. A total of 396 first-degree relatives - 220 in a derivation cohort and 176 in a validation cohort - were enrolled in the study, and liver fibrosis was evaluated using magnetic resonance elastography and other noninvasive imaging modalities. The primary outcome was prevalence of advanced fibrosis in first-degree relatives.RESULTSPrevalence of advanced fibrosis in first-degree relatives of probands with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis, NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, and non-NAFLD was 15.6%, 5.9%, and 1.3%, respectively (P = 0.002), in the derivation cohort, and 14.0%, 2.6%, and 1.3%, respectively (P = 0.004), in the validation cohort. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, age of ≥50 years (adjusted OR [aOR]: 2.63, 95% CI 1.0-6.7), male sex (aOR: 3.79, 95% CI 1.6-9.2), diabetes mellitus (aOR: 3.37, 95% CI 1.3-9), and a first-degree relative with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis (aOR: 11.8, 95% CI 2.5-57) were significant predictors of presence of advanced fibrosis (all P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONFirst-degree relatives of probands with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis have significantly increased risk of advanced fibrosis. Routine screening should be done in the first-degree relatives of patients with advanced fibrosis.FUNDINGSupported by NCATS (5UL1TR001442), NIDDK (U01DK061734, U01DK130190, R01DK106419, R01DK121378, R01DK124318, P30DK120515, K23DK119460), NHLBI (P01HL147835), and NIAAA (U01AA029019); Academy of Finland grant 309263; the Novo Nordisk, EVO, and Sigrid Jusélius Foundations; and the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement 777377. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the EFPIA.

Helicobacter pylori eradication as the sole treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: It is uncertain whether eradication of Helicobacter pylori--without a prolonged suppression of acid secretion--is sufficient to allow healing of peptic ulcers. We evaluated whether eradication of H. pylori with no following anti-secretory medication then administered is sufficient for treatment of peptic ulcers. We also looked at the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use on ulcer relapses. METHODS: The effect of eradication on ulcer healing and relapse rate was analysed in 115 patients, randomly allocated to four treatment groups: (1) quadruple therapy (28); (2) dual therapy (n-30); (3) triple therapy (n=27); and (4) lansoprazole and placebo (n=30). Endoscopic assessment was performed at 0, 8, and 52 weeks. RESULTS: The ulcer healing rate was 100% [95% confidence interval (CI), 95-100%] in H. pylori-negative and 83% (95% CI, 67-94%) in H. pylori-positive patients (P<0.01). In patients who used NSAIDS or ASA, the healing rates was 100% (95% CI, 73-100%) and 75% (95% CI, 19-99%) in H. pylori-negative (12 patients) and H. pylori-positive patients (four patients) (P = not significant). Ulcer relapses occurred in 5% (95% CI, 1-13%) of H. pylori-negative and in 36% (95% CI, 19-56%) of H. pylori-positive patients (P < 0.01). In H. pylori-negative patients who used NSAIDs or ASA the ulcer relapse rate was 30% (95% CI, 7-65%), whereas the ulcer relapse rate was 2% (95% CI, 0.4-10%) in patients who did not use NSAIDs or ASA (P < 0.05). No difference in ulcer relapse rate in H. pylori-positive patients who used or did not use NSAIDs or ASA was found. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 93% (95% CI, 76-99%) in the quadruple therapy group, 83% (95% CI, 64-94%) in the dual therapy group, 100% (95% CI, 87-100%) in the triple therapy group, and 0% (95% CI, 0-12%) in the lansoprazole and placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication treatment for H. pylori-positive gastric or duodenal ulcer is sufficient, with no need to follow it with anti-secretory medication. Cure of the infection reduces ulcer relapses in patients who did not use NSAIDs or ASA.