In patients who undergo liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), alcohol relapse is common. A return to abusive or excessive drinking likely decreases overall survival; however, the effects of alcohol use on allograft outcomes and histopathology are less well defined. We reviewed all cases of liver transplantation with ALD as an indication between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2007. Allograft outcomes and histopathological results were compared for patients who relapsed into alcohol use and patients who maintained abstinence. Three hundred patients who underwent transplantation for ALD during this period survived at least 1 year, and 48 (16.0%) relapsed into alcohol use that came to clinical attention. The pattern of relapse was a single event for 10 patients (20.8%), intermittent relapses for 22 patients (45.8%), and continuous heavy drinking for 16 patients (33.3%). Continuous heavy drinking was associated with allograft loss in a univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 5 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5 1.26-4.68, P 5 0.008] and in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression (HR 5 2.57, 95% CI 5 1.32-5.00, P 5 0.006). A matched-pair analysis that controlled for the hepatitis C virus status and the time to biopsy compared the results of allograft histopathology for patients who relapsed into alcohol use and patients who maintained abstinence. Significant steatosis [odds ratio (OR) 5 3.46, 95% CI 5 1.29-9.31, P 5 0.01], steatohepatitis (OR 5 6.2, 95% CI 5 1.70-22.71, P 5 0.006), and advanced (stage 3 or higher) fibrosis (OR 5 23.18, 95% CI 5 3.01-177.30, P 5 0.003) were associated with alcohol relapse. In conclusion, alcohol relapse after liver transplantation (particularly heavy drinking) is associated with decreased graft survival and advanced allograft fibrosis.
Background Catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and effective methods for their prevention are needed. Objective To assess the efficacy of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing for prevention of central venous catheter-related colonization and CRBSI using meta-analysis. Data Sources Multiple computerized database searches supplemented by manual searches including relevant conference proceedings. Study Selection Randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing compared with conventional dressings for prevention of catheter colonization and CRBSI. Data Extraction Data were extracted on patient and catheter characteristics and outcomes. Data Synthesis Pooled estimates of the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model and the Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and I2. Subgroup analyses were used to explore heterogeneity. Results Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Use of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing resulted in a reduced incidence of CRBSI (random effects RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42–0.79, P=0.002). The incidence of catheter colonization was also markedly reduced in the chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing group (random effects RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.39–0.67, P< 0.001). There was significant benefit for prevention of catheter colonization and CRBSI, including arterial catheters used for hemodynamic monitoring. Other than in low birth weight infants, adverse effects were rare and minor. Conclusions Our analysis shows that a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing is beneficial in preventing catheter colonization and, more importantly, CRBSI and warrants routine use in patients at high risk of CRBSI and CVC or arterial catheter colonization in ICUs.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is increasing worldwide, paralleling the obesity epidemic. Although most cases are associated with cirrhosis, HCC can occur without cirrhosis in NAFLD. Diabetes and obesity are associated risk factors for HCC in patients. Given the sheer magnitude of the underlying risk factors (diabetes, obesity, non-cirrhotic NAFLD) screening for HCC in the non-cirrhotic population is not recommended. Optimal screening strategies in NAFLD cirrhosis are not completely elucidated with Ultrasound having significant limitations in detection of liver lesions in the presence of obesity and steatosis. Consequently NAFLD-HCC is more often diagnosed at a later stage with larger tumors and reduced opportunities for curative treatments as opposed to HCC in other causes of cirrhosis. When HCC is found at a curative stage treatments including liver transplantation, resection and loco-regional therapies are associated with good results similar to that seen in HCV-HCC. Future strategies under study include the use of chemopreventive and antioxidant agents to reduce development of cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Strategies to reverse NASH via weight loss, control of associated conditions like diabetes are key strategies in reducing the increasing incidence of NASH-HCC. Novel therapeutic agents for NASH are in trials and if successful in achieving reversal of NASH will be an important strategy in reducing NAFLD-HCC.
outcomes. Of 33 rescue therapy patients who survived to hospital discharge, less than 1 in 4 were discharged home. In contrast, among the 247 who did not receive rescue therapy, nearly one half were discharged home. This study shows mortality remains high among ICU patients who develop ARDS and that at least some rescue therapies had no positive effect on outcome.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.