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Background and Aims: There is sparse data on the use of Sofosbuvir based directly acting antiviral (DAA) drug regimens in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of low-dose Sofosbuvir plus full-dose Daclatasvir in CHC patients with CKD.Methods: Sixty-five CHC patients with CKD with eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 [54 (83%) patients with ESRD on hemodialysis] were included. All patients irrespective of genotype were treated with half-dose Sofosbuvir [200 mg (half tablet of 400 mg)] plus full-dose Daclatasvir (60 mg) given daily for either 12 or 24 weeks given in patients with genotype 3 cirrhosis. The efficacy was assessed by the sustained virological response (SVR12) with negative HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment (ETR).Results: The median HCV RNA level in 65 patients (Males 40, mean age 42.9 ± 13 years) was 1.65 × 106 (1.2 × 103-1.73 × 108) IU/mL with 42 (64.6%) patients having HCV genotype 1, followed by genotype 3 and 2 in 22 (34%) and 1 (1.4%) patients, respectively. Twenty-one (32%) patients had evidence of cirrhosis, and ten (15.4%) patients were treatment experienced. Sixty-four (98.5%) patients achieved ETR, and 65 (100%) patients attained SVR12. All patients tolerated the DAAs well with none of the patients reporting any serious adverse events. Minor side effects noted were nausea seen in five (7.7%) patients, insomnia and headache in four (6.2%) patients each, and pruritus in one (1.5%) patient.Conclusion: Low-dose Sofosbuvir and full-dose Daclatasvir are safe and effective in treating CHC in patients with CKD with eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The majority of patients with decompensated cirrhosis suffer from malnutrition, a potentially modifiable contributor to frailty and sarcopenia. The present study investigated the impact of a 6‐month dietician‐supported home‐based intensive nutrition therapy (HINT) intervention on objective frailty and sarcopenia metrics in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods: One hundred adult patients with decompensated cirrhosis, frailty, and sarcopenia at baseline were randomized 1:1 to receive standard medical therapy (SMT) plus HINT (intervention) versus SMT (control) alone. The primary outcome was an improvement in frailty as measured by the liver frailty index (LFI). Secondary outcome measures included sarcopenia metrics, liver disease severity scores, hospitalization, and death. Results: The LFI improved more in the intervention arm as compared with controls (0.8 vs 0.4; P < 0.001). Baseline and end‐of‐study skeletal muscle index (SMI) was available in a subset of 32 male patients, with greater improvements seen in the intervention arm compared with controls (6.36 vs 0.80; P = 0.02). Patients in the intervention arm had less hospitalizations over the 6‐month follow‐up (19 [38%] vs 29 [58%]; P = 0.04). On subgroup analysis, in the 64% of patients who were adherent to calorie and protein intake targets at 6 months, significant improvement was seen in liver disease severity scores and survival (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, frailty, and sarcopenia, a 6‐month dietitian‐supported home‐based intensive outpatient nutrition therapy was associated with statistically and clinically relevant improvement in frailty. The subgroup of adherent patients showed improvement in their liver disease scores and reduction in mortality. These findings support the key role of food as medicine in the management of cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperfibrinolysis and coagulation dysfunction may occur in cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleed (AVB) despite successful endotherapy. Aims: To prospectively study the association of endogenous heparinoids and coagulation dysfunction with variceal rebleeding and outcome in cirrhosis. Methods: Consecutive patients were assessed with conventional coagulation tests, SONOCLOT™ [(global(gb) and heparinase(h) treated] and factors VII, VIII, XIII, X, tissue plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor ELISA assays in a university hospital. Heparin-like-effect (HLE) was defined as ≥ 20% difference in paired gb/h-SONOCLOT™ traces for activated clotting time (ACT). Results: Of 143 patients screened, 90 (46.4 ± 11.7 years, males 82.2%, ethanol-related 58.8%) were recruited, who bled from esophageal varices (81,90.0%), gastric varices (6,6.6%), or esophageal varices with portal hypertensive gastropathy (3,3.3%). Twenty (21.7%) had early rebleeding, mainly post-variceal ligation ulcer related (70%). Patients who rebled had low Factor XIII [1.6 (1.2–2.1) vs 2.4 ng/ml (2.0–2.8) P = 0.035] and Factor VII (94.1 ± 46.9 vs. 124.0 ± 50.4, P = 0.023). On receiver operating curve analysis, the gbACT > 252 s (sensitivity 86.8%, specificity 76.9%, P < 0.001), hACT > 215 s (sensitivity 71.1%, specificity 70.3%, P < 0.001), and HLE > 50% (sensitivity 69.5%, specificity 70.3%, P = 0.006) predicted rebleeding. Baseline Factor VIII (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.17–1.34, P < 0.001), low factor VII (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.76–0.98, P = 0.035), and lysis (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.17–1.33, P < 0.001) predicted mortality. Endogenous heparinoids at baseline predicted sepsis (HR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4–6.5; P = 0.022), rebleeding events (HR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–6.3; P = 0.030), and mortality (HR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0–4.6; P = 0.030). Conclusions: Hyperfibrinolysis, Factor VII/XIII deficiency, and HLE are associated with rebleeding after AVB. Trial Registration NCT04111120 available from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04111120. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents with the accumulation of excessive intra-hepatic fat without significant alcohol intake. Multifactorial pathogenesis is reported to be involved. Reduced lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) activity is suggested as one of the novel-involved pathogenic mechanisms. This review summarizes the available evidence on the role of LAL activity in NAFLD pathogenesis. Four databases namely, PubMed/Medline, Science direct, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar were searched to identify relevant observational records evaluating the role of LAL activity in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. All studies were assessed for their quality by using Newcastle–Ottawa Scale or The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools for cohort and cross-sectional studies, respectively. The estimates of LAL activity and other clinical outcomes were expressed as mean (SD) and number (%) as presented in the primary studies. A total of nine good quality studies with 1711 patients with NAFLD and 877 controls from different groups (healthy volunteers, alcoholics, cryptogenic cirrhosis, and HCV-positive) were included. From the NAFLD group, 59.55% were males and the overall mean age ranged between the studies from 12.6 ± 8.5 months in pediatrics to 58.90 ± 13.82 years in adults. In the NAFLD group, the LAL activity varied from 0.53 ± 0.08 to 1.3 ± 0.70 (nmol/spot/hr) between the studies which was less than all control groups except cryptogenic cirrhosis patients (0.5 ± 0.15 nmol/spot/hr). Of the other outcomes of interest, ALT, AST, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were found elevated in NAFLD patients than in controls. The current evidence suggests a potential correlation of reduced LAL activity with NAFLD pathogenesis according to its severity. Large-scale studies are recommended, more importantly in patients with NAFLD having no metabolic or genetic involvement. Further LAL can act as a new non-invasive diagnostic biomarker to identify that specific NAFLD subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to generate a unique MELDNa-Actvity-Chairstands-Quality of Life Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (MASQ-HE) score as a bedside tool for the prediction of the first episode of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE).

Hormonal changes and hepatic osteodystrophy are less often studied complications of cirrhosis. This study describes the variance in hormones and osteodystrophy between Frail and Not frail patients with cirrhosis. 116 outpatients with cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled in this study. Frailty assessment was done using Liver Frailty Index (LFI). Sociodemographic assessment, anthropometry, nutritional assessment, hormone profile, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan were done in all patients. 116 patients, predominantly males (100 (86.2%) with mean age of 50.16 years (95% CI, 48.43–51.89) were included. Malnutrition was more common in Frail group as compared to Not frail group. Subjective global assessment (SGA) class-B patients were significantly more in Frail group (37 (74%) vs 3 (4.5%), P = 0.001). The prevalence of lower parathyroid hormone (PTH) (14 (28%) vs 2 (3%)), testosterone (33 (66%) vs 15 (22.7%)), vitamin D3 (44 (88%) vs 39 (59.1%)), and cortisol (37 (74%) vs 37 (56.1) levels was higher in Frail group (P < 0.05). The number of patients diagnosed with osteodystrophy (34 (68%) vs 21 (31.8%), P = 0.001) was significantly higher in Frail group. The marker of osteoclastic activity, β-cross laps, was significantly elevated in the Frail group both in males (736 (655–818) vs 380 (329–432), P = 0.001) and (females 619 (479–758) vs 313 (83–543), P = 0.02). Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (LS) and neck of femur (NF) had significant correlation with LFI (ρ = 0.60, P = 0.001 for LS and ρ = 0.59, P = 0.001 for NF), serum testosterone (ρ = 0.58, P = 0.001 for LS and ρ = 0.53, P = 0.001 for NF), β-cross laps (ρ = 0.38, P = 0.001for LS and ρ = 0.35, P = 0.000 for NF), vitamin D3 (ρ = 0.23, P = 0.04 for LS and ρ = 0.25, P = 0.01 for NF), PTH (ρ = 0.52, P = 0.001 for LS and ρ = 0.48. P = 0.001 for NF), and cortisol (ρ = 0.50, P = 0.001 for LS and ρ = 0.45, P = 0.001 for NF) levels. This is the first study that highlights the high prevalence of hormonal changes and hepatic osteodystrophy in frail patients with cirrhosis and opens a new dimension for research and target of therapy in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver transplant recipients are at an increased risk of opportunistic infections due to the use of immunosuppression. Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of these infections further due to associated immune dysfunction and the use of high-dose steroids. We present a case of a liver transplant recipient who developed disseminated tuberculosis and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicated by acquired hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after recovering from severe COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with neuropsychiatric changes. Also, patients with cirrhosis may develop overt or minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Sustained virological response (SVR) with direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) may improve the neuropsychiatric manifestations and quality of life (QoL). Consecutive patients (with and without cirrhosis, all genders and aged 18–65 years) with hepatitis C were assessed at enrolment and at 12 weeks after therapy completion for mood (Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI]), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder [GAD‐7]), QoL (SF‐36 ver.2) and computer‐based tests for number connection (NCT), visual memory, Stroop test and reaction times. We recruited 385 viraemic chronic HCV patients (76.1% male, 21.0% cirrhotic, mean age 39.4 ± 14.2 years, 59.3% genotype 3, mean HCV RNA load 5.8 log). Overall SVR‐12 rates were 90.6%, with cure rates 87.6% and 91.4% in patients with and without cirrhosis, respectively. Patients who achieved SVR‐12 had mean percentage reduction in BDI (11.3%, p =.000), GAD (8.6%, p =.001) and Stroop test (58.4%, p =.001), with improved NCT (1.7%, p =.001), visual memory (13.7%, p =.001) and digit span (23.8%, p =.002). On multivariate logistic regression, adherence (OR, 17.5 [95% CI 2.80–110.50], p =.000), high ALT (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.00–1.05]), and BDI score (OR 1.73 [95% CI 1.42–3.26] p =.039) predicted cure. SVR‐12 was associated with improved visual memory ≥5.5 (AUC‐0.708; sensitivity 62.5%, specificity 63%, p =.000) and % correct Stroop test responses >26.6% (AUC‐0.918, sensitivity 94.4% specificity 80.4%, p =.000). In conclusion, given the cumulative evidence of the safety of DAAs and efficacy of improving cognitive and neuropsychological and quality‐of‐life outcomes irrespective of age and gender, as shown in our study, future recommendations should focus on integrated universal HCV care to enable HCV elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no "gold standard" tool for the assessment of frailty in cirrhosis. This study compares Liver Frailty Index (LFI), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Fried Frailty Criteria (FFC), and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) for frailty assessment and ascertains its impact on predicting mortality and hospitalizations in a cohort of outpatients with cirrhosis. 116 patients were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study. Frailty assessment was done using LFI, SPPB, FFC, and CFS. All patients were followed up for 6 months. The primary outcome was the first of either all-cause unplanned hospitalization or all-cause mortality occurring within 6 months of the study period. 100 (86.2%) males and 16 (13.8%) females with a mean age of 50.2 (48.4–51.9, 95% CI) years were included. The most common cause of cirrhosis was alcoholic liver disease (47.4%) followed by hepatitis C (12.9%) and Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (10.3%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of frailty based on LFI (43.1%), FFC (36.2%), CFS (44%), and SPPB (47.4%) (P > 0.05). Frail patients had worse outcomes compared to the Not frail group. At 6 months, the mortality rate in Frail patients was 42% versus 1.5% for the Not frail; hospitalization in Frail patients occurred in 92% versus 6% in the Not frail. On multivariable analysis, independent predictors of mortality were Frailty [OR 14 (1.4–54.2)], alcohol-related cirrhosis [OR 4.2 (1.1–16.3)], Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) [OR 2.1 (1.4–2.9)] and Chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) [OR 0.1 (0.1–0.4)] scores. LFI, SPPB, FFC, and CFS are comparable in frailty assessment in patients with cirrhosis. Importantly, comparability of the commonly used scores for frailty assessment and prediction of hospitalization and mortality allows flexibility for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic angiosarcoma is an uncommon primary malignancy of the liver. It carries a poor prognosis because of very aggressive nature of the tumor. Clinical presentation of hepatic angiosarcoma is variable, most common being hepatomegaly or abdominal mass. Here we report a case of primary hepatic angiosarcoma presented with spontaneous rupture and hemoperitoneum, which was managed successfully by transarterial embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal candidiasis is often neglected and potentially serious infection in cirrhosis patients. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of esophageal candidiasis (EC) in cirrhotics and did a systematic review to summarize EC's available evidence in cirrhosis. Consecutive patients with cirrhosis posted for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at a tertiary care institute were screened for EC (cases) between January 2019 and March 2020. EC was diagnosed on EGD findings and / or brush cytology. Controls (without EC) were recruited randomly, and EC's risk factors and outcomes were compared between cases and controls. Four electronic databases were searched for studies describing EC in cirrhosis. Prevalence estimates of EC were pooled on random-effects meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed by I2. A checklist for prevalence studies was used to evaluate the risk of bias in studies. EC was diagnosed in 100 of 2762 patients with cirrhosis (3.6%). Patients with EC had a higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) (12.4 vs. 11.2; P = 0.007), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) (26% vs. 10%; P = 0.003) and concomitant bacterial infections (24% vs. 7%; P = 0.001), as compared with controls. A multivariable model, including recent alcohol binge, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleed, ACLF, diabetes, and MELD, predicted EC's development in cirrhosis with excellent discrimination (C-index: 0.918). Six percent of cases developed the invasive disease and worsened with multiorgan failures, and four patients with EC died on follow-up. Of 236 articles identified, EC's pooled prevalence from 8 studies (all with low-risk of bias) was 2.1% (95% CI: 0.8–5.8). Risk factors and outcomes of EC in cirrhosis were not reported in the literature. EC is not a rare infection in cirrhosis patients, and it may predispose to invasive candidiasis and untimely deaths. Alcohol binge, HCC, UGI bleed, ACLF, diabetes, and higher MELD are the independent predictors of EC in cirrhosis. At-risk patients with cirrhosis or those with deglutition symptoms should be rapidly screened and treated for EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider angiomas are dilated vascular channels in the skin. They have a central arteriole with surrounding vascular channels resembling legs of a spider, hence the name. They are frequently associated with liver cirrhosis, thyrotoxicosis, and pregnancy. We present the case of a 49-year-old gentleman who was referred to our liver clinic with complaints of jaundice and ascites of one-month duration. The patient was a chronic alcohol consumer, consuming country-made liquor, 80–100 grams/day for past 8–10 years. He was diagnosed with Acute on chronic liver failure with a model for end-stage liver disease score of 38. During his hospital stay, he developed active spurting from a spider angioma on his lower lip (video 1), which was initially tackled with hand compressions, which stopped bleeding for a few minutes, restarting again after the compressions were lifted. It was then decided to inject 0.1 mL cyanoacrylate glue injection using a 21-gauge needle, immediately stopping active spurt (video 2), (Figure 1). A small ulcer formed at the injection site, which healed in few days, and the patient was discharged to home. Spider angiomas are characteristic cutaneous manifestation of liver cirrhosis with a specificity of 95%. 1 The prevalence of spider angiomas in cirrhosis is reported to be around 30–40%. Li Hongyu et al. in their study on 198 individuals reported the prevalence to be 47%. 2 They can be graded from grade 1+ (readily recognizable containing a body, legs, and surrounding erythema) to grade 4+ (visible pulsations with a hand lens and raised central punctum with many obvious "spider legs" radiating from it). 3 Underlying pathogenesis in cirrhosis is multifactorial including decrease levels of testosterone and high levels of estradiol, 4 hyperdynamic circulation, high levels of substance-P, and vascular endothelial growth factor leading to angiogenesis and vasodilation. 5,6 Spider angiomas can be single or multiple and are usually seen in the territory of superior vena cava—the face (nose, lips, forehead), upper chest, and arms. 2 These lesions have been associated with bleeding esophageal varices and hepatopulmonary syndrome. Bleeding from spider angiomas is unusual. Rarely, fine-needle electrocautery, potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser, or electro desiccation has been used to clear spider angiomas for cosmetic concerns. Treatment includes hand or ice compressions and treating the underlying cause. Use of cyanoacrylate glue for bleeding spider angioma has not been reported in the literature. We think this can be a handy bedside tool to combat an active spurt of bleeding when conventional methods have failed, as in our case; however, further studies are warranted. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: There is emerging data on the use of Sofosbuvir‐based directly acting antiviral (DAA) drug regimens in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Sofosbuvir plus Velpatasvir fixed‐dose combination in CHC patients with ESRD on MHD. Methods: Fifty‐one CHC patients with ESRD on MHD were included in a real‐life prospective study. All patients irrespective of genotype; presence of cirrhosis; treatment naive or experienced status were treated with full‐dose Sofosbuvir (400 mg) plus Velpatasvir (100 mg) fixed‐dosed combination given daily for 12 weeks. The efficacy was assessed by the sustained virological response (SVR12) with negative HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment (ETR). Side effects if any were recorded in all patients. Results: The median HCV RNA level in 51 CHC patients [Males 41 (80.4%), mean age 42.8 ± 14.6 years] was 2.0 × 106 IU/mL. HCV genotype was available in 19 patients with predominant genotype 1 in 15 (79%) patients. Ten (19.6%) patients had evidence of cirrhosis (defined as LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa on Transient Elastography), and 8 (15.6%) patients were treatment experienced. Testing for ETR was done in 36 patients and all 36 (100%) patients achieved ETR, and 49 patients (96%) achieved SVR 12. All 51 patients tolerated the Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir combination, with none of the patients reporting any serious adverse event. Conclusion: Sofosbuvir plus Velpatasvir fixed‐dose combination is safe and effective in treating CHC in patients with ESRD on MHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with severe renal insufficiency is cumbersome as sofosbuvir is mainly excreted by the kidneys. There is paucity of data on the use of sofosbuvir and NS5A inhibitors in these patients. We hereby report our experience of treating chronic hepatitis C in patients with severe renal insufficiency with full dose sofosbuvir and NS5A inhibitors. Forty‐seven patients with severe renal insufficiency (on dialysis n = 39, predialysis n = 8) with HCV infection were treated between December 2015‐August 2017 with full dose sofosbuvir with ledipasvir or daclatasvir for 12/24 weeks depending on the genotype and the presence or absence of cirrhosis. The distribution of HCV genotype was genotype 1 in 32 (68.1%), genotype 3 in 13 (27.7%) and 4 in 2 (4.3%) patients. Among 12 (25.5%) patients with cirrhosis, 7 (14.9%) were decompensated with ascites. All patients had end of treatment response, and sustained viral response at 12 weeks was achieved in 45 (95.7%) patients. There was significant improvement in liver stiffness at 3 months after treatment (8.8 (3.8‐42) to 7.1 (3.3‐24.1) kPa; (P = 0.047)). There was no change in haemoglobin and eGFR with treatment in predialysis group (haemoglobin‐ 10.2 ± 1.5 g/dL vs 9.6 ± 1.3 g/dL, P = 0.44; eGFR‐ 19.8 ± 9.4 mL/min vs 17.9 ± 8.5 mL/min, P = 0.67). Therapy was very well accepted. Full dose sofosbuvir with NS5A inhibitors is a well tolerated and effective therapy for HCV infection in severe renal insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]