Background and Aims: COVID-19 is a dominant pulmonary disease, with multisystem involvement, depending upon co morbidities. Its profile in patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease (CLD) is largely unknown. We studied the liver injury patterns of SARS-Cov-2 in CLD patients, with or without cirrhosis. Methods: Data was collected from 13 Asian countries on patients with CLD, known or newly diagnosed, with confirmed COVID-19. Result: Altogether, 228 patients [185 CLD without cirrhosis and 43 with cirrhosis] were enrolled, with comorbidities in nearly 80%. Metabolism associated fatty liver disease (113, 61%) and viral etiology (26, 60%) were common. In CLD without cirrhosis, diabetes [57.7% vs 39.7%, OR=2.1(1.1-3.7), p=0.01] and in cirrhotics, obesity, [64.3% vs. 17.2%, OR=8.1(1.9-38.8), p=0.002) predisposed more to liver injury than those without these. Forty three percent of CLD without cirrhosis presented as acute liver injury and 20% cirrhotics presented with either acute-on-chronic liver failure [5(11.6%)] or acute decompensation [4(9%)]. Liver related complications increased (p<0.05) with stage of liver disease; a Child-Turcotte Pugh score of 9 or more at presentation predicted high mortality [AUROC-0.94, HR=19.2(95CI 2.3-163.3), p<0.001, sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 94.4%). In decompensated cirrhotics, the liver injury was progressive in 57% patients, with 43% mortality. Rising bilirubin and AST/ALT ratio predicted mortality among cirrhosis. Conclusions: SARS-Cov-2 infection causes significant liver injury in CLD patients, decompensating one fifth of cirrhosis, and worsening the clinical status of the already decompensated. The CLD patients with diabetes and obesity are more vulnerable and should be closely monitored.

Background and AimProgression of liver disease in cirrhosis is associated with an increased incidence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhosis. However, evidence suggests that spontaneous recanalization of PVT may occur even without anti‐thrombotic therapy. Thus, the present meta‐analysis was conducted to study the natural history of PVT in cirrhosis, facilitating decisions regarding anticoagulation.MethodsThree electronic databases were searched from 2000 to August 2022 for studies reporting the outcome of PVT in cirrhotics without anticoagulation. The pooled proportions with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random‐effect model.ResultsA total of 26 studies (n = 1441) were included in the final analysis. Progression of PVT on follow‐up was seen in 22.2% (95% CI 16.1–28.4), while 77.7% (95% CI 71.6–83.9) remained non‐progressive (improved or stable). The most common outcome was a stable PVT with a pooled event rate of 44.6% (95% CI 34.4–54.7). The pooled rates of regression and complete recanalization of PVT in cirrhotics were 29.3% (95% CI 20.9–37.7) and 10.4% (95% CI 5.0–15.8), respectively. On follow‐up after improvement, pooled recurrence rate of PVT was 24.0% (95% CI 14.7–33.4). MELD score, and presence of ascites had a negative association, while a longer follow‐up duration had positive association with PVT regression.ConclusionApproximately 25% of the cases of PVT in cirrhosis are progressive, 30% cases improve, and 45% remain stable. Future studies are needed to analyze the predictors of spontaneous regression.

Background and Aim The COVID pandemic and countrywide lockdown has had significant impact on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with delay in diagnosis, difficulty in access to healthcare and unavailability of drugs. We conducted a telephonic survey to assess this impact. Methods Out of 350, 302 participated in the survey. Demographic data, disease severity at the time of survey, extent of disease, details of therapy, and adherence were noted. A validated questionnaire addressing information source, perception of COVID‐19 situation, contact with healthcare, and adherence to standard precautions was administered telephonically. Results Out of 350 contacted patients, 302 (86.28%) patients participated in the survey. Median age of cohort was 39 years. Ulcerative colitis (UC) constituted 79%, 16% Crohn's disease (CD), and 5% IBD‐unclassified. At the time of survey, 86.98% patients with UC were in clinical remission and 75.75% of CD patients were generally well. A total of 115 (38%) cases were nonadherent to therapy due to unavailability of medicines (66.38%), financial constraints (25.21%) and inability to reach healthcare facility (3.6%). Disease flare was seen in 14.2% and correlated well with nonadherence. Existing drug therapy was switched to alternative drug in 70 (23.17%) cases due to unavailability (74%). Social media (52.3%) and television (40.4%) were the common sources of information about the pandemic. Telemedicine platforms (WhatsApp and telephone) were used by 180 (59.6%) patients for consultation with good acceptance (81.6%). 87 (28.8%) patients failed to contact healthcare. Apprehension regarding severe COVID infection was noted in 80% while 29% thought that IBD therapy could increase infection risk. Adherence to wearing mask, hand washing, and social distancing was 100%. Conclusion Pandemic resulted in disruption of healthcare visits and medication supply. Majority were concerned about increased risk of COVID‐19 infection and adhered to standard precautions. Mobile phone‐based formats for patient care may be an alternative due to patient acceptance and convenience.

A total of 2%–10% of patients with vascular liver disease (VLD) have paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Eculizumab reduces complement‐mediated haemolytic activity in PNH. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of eculizumab on VLD outcome. Retrospective cohort of PNH patients, in Valdig registry, who had VLD diagnosed between 1997 and 2019 is considered. Eculizumab was the exposure of interest. Studied outcomes were death, venous thrombosis, bleeding, arterial ischemic event, infection, and liver‐related complications. We compared survival and new thrombotic events from PNH/VLD cohort to Envie2 non‐PNH cohort. Sixty‐two patients (33 women), median age 35 years (28–48) and median follow‐up VLD diagnosis 4.7 years (1.2–9.5), were included. Clone size was 80% (70–90), median hemoglobin concentration was 10.0 g/dl (8–11), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 736 IU (482–1744). Forty‐two patients (68%) had eculizumab; median exposure time was 40.1 [9.3–72.6] months. Mortality was significantly lower in exposed versus nonexposed period: 2.6 versus 8.7 per 100 (PY), incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.29, 95% CI (0.1–0.9), p = .035. Thrombosis recurrence occurred less frequently during the exposure to eculizumab: 0.5 versus 2.8 per 100 PY, IRR 0.22 (0.07–0.64). Other secondary end points (i.e., bleeding, arterial ischemic lesions, infection, and liver complications) were less common during the exposure to eculizumab, although not reaching statistical significance. Six‐year thrombosis‐free survival was 70%, 95% CI [0.60–0.83] for PNH cohort and 83%, 95% CI [0.70–1.00] for non‐PNH Envie 2 patients, (p < .001). In conclusion, patients with PNH and VLD are at higher risk of recurrent thrombosis than non‐PNH patients. Eculizumab is significantly associated with a lower mortality and less thrombotic recurrence in patients with PNH and VLD.

Background/AimsHigh-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) measures anal sphincter function and anorectal co-ordination. This study aims to provide normal data for HRAM and evaluate the effect of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) on anorectal functions in healthy Indian subjects. MethodsHRAM was performed on 93 healthy volunteers using a 20-channel, water-perfused catheter. We evaluated anorectal pressures, rectal sensation, and balloon expulsion time. Measurements were recorded during rest, squeeze, and simulated defecation (push). ResultsMedian anal resting pressure (88 mmHg vs 94 mmHg, P = NS), anal squeeze pressure (165 mmHg vs 147 mmHg, P = NS) were not significantly different between males and females. Rectal pressure (70 mmHg vs 54 mmHg, P = 0.024) and anal pressure (82 mmHg vs 63 mmHg, P = 0.008) during simulated evacuation without rectal distention, were higher in males. The threshold for the first sensation was lower in females (40 mL vs 30 mL, P = 0.021) but desire to defecate (105 mL vs 90 mL, P = NS) and maximum tolerable volume (160 mL vs 140 mL, P = NS) were not significantly different in males and females. Anal residual pressure (median mmHg 83 vs 71 mmHg, P = 0.025) was higher in subjects < 40 years of age. Maximum anal squeeze pressure (185 mmHg vs 165 mmHg, P = 0.024) and maximum rectal pressure (75 mmHg vs 62 mmHg, P = 0.032) during push higher in BMI < 23 kg/m 2 . ConclusionsThe present study provides normal data for the Indian population that can be used for comparison and further work. Age, gender, and BMI affect anorectal parameters in HRAM and should be considered while reporting.