We aimed to determine whether frailty, a validated geriatric construct of increased vulnerability to physiologic stressors, predicts mortality in liver transplant (LT) candidates. Consecutive adult outpatients listed for LT with laboratory MELD≥12 at a single center (97% recruitment rate) underwent 4 frailty assessments: Fried Frailty, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental ADL (IADL) scales. Competing risks models associated frailty with wait-list mortality (death/delisting for being too sick for LT). 294 listed LT patients with MELD≥12, median age 60y, and MELD 15 were followed for 12 months. By Fried Frailty score≥3, 17% were frail; 11/51 (22%) of the frail versus 25/243 (10%) of the not frail died/were delisted (p=0.03). Each 1-unit increase in the Fried Frailty score was associated with a 45% (95%CI, 4-202%) increased risk of wait-list mortality adjusted for MELD. Similarly, the adjusted risk of wait-list mortality associated with each 1-unit decrease (i.e., increasing frailty) in the SPPB (HR 1.19, 95%CI 1.07-1.32). Frailty is prevalent in LT candidates. It strongly predicts wait-list mortality, even after adjustment for liver disease severity demonstrating the applicability and importance of the frailty construct in this population.

Calculated free 25(OH)D levels varied considerably from direct measurements of free 25(OH)D with discrepancies greatest in the data for African Americans. Differences in DBP binding affinity likely contributed to estimation errors between the races. Directly measured free 25(OH)D concentrations were related to iPTH, but calculated estimates were not. Current algorithms to calculate free 25(OH)D may not be accurate. Further evaluation of directly measured free 25(OH)D levels to determine its role in research and clinical management of patients is needed.

SummaryBackground: Chylous ascites is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cases. An appropriate and stepwise approach to its diagnosis and management is of key importance.Aim: To review the current diagnostic approach and management of chylous ascites.Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed using the key words 'chylous', 'ascites', 'cirrhosis', 'pathophysiology', 'nutritional therapy', 'paracentesis", "transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt" and "TIPSS'. Only articles in English were included.

Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune condition characterized by destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts. It causes debilitating symptoms that dramatically affect the patient's quality of life. Pruritus affects 60% to 70% of individuals with primary biliary cholangitis and leads to sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, and suicidal ideation. A complete search was performed with studies from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane database, Countway Library, and CINAHL with specific search terms. This narrative review was prepared after a comprehensive literature review. Treating patients with cholestatic pruritus is challenging and may have a profound impact on quality of life. The standard of therapy for primary biliary cholangitis, ursodeoxycholic acid, does not have a beneficial effect in cholestatic pruritus. Patients often do not respond to conventional therapies such as cholestyramine, rifampicin, opioid antagonists, and sertraline. These therapies lack long-term efficacy and have side effects. Patients who have not responded to these initial treatments can be considered for experimental therapies or clinical trials. This review outlines the current and emerging treatment modalities for patients with primary biliary cholangitis who have pruritus.