Background & Aims Concurrent to development of more effective drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), infection, there has been an increase in the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data indicate that liver transplantation prolongs survival times of patient with acute hepatitis associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We compared data on disease prevalence in the population with data from liver transplantation waitlists to evaluate changes in the burden of liver disease in the United States. Methods We collected data on the prevalence of HCV from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), from the 2010 and 2013–2014 cycles. We also collected data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database on patients with cirrhosis and chronic liver failure (CLF) from 2006 through 2014, and data on patients who received transplant from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), from 2003 through 2015. We determined percentages of new waitlist members and transplant recipients with HCV infection, stratified by indication for transplant, modeling each calendar year as a continuous variable using the Spearman rank correlation, non-parametric test of trends, and linear regression models. Results In an analysis of data from the NHANES (2013–2014), we found that the proportion of patients with a positive HCV antibody who had a positive HCV RNA was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.42–0.55); this value was significantly lower than in 2010 (0.64; 95% CI, 0.59–0.73) (P=.03). Data from the HealthCore databased revealed significant changes (P<.05 for all), over time, in percentages of patients with compensated cirrhosis (decreases in percentages of patients with cirrhosis from HCV or ALD, but increase in percentages of patients with cirrhosis from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]), CLF (decreases in percentages of patients with CLF from HCV or ALD, with an almost 3-fold increase in percentage of patients with CLF from NASH), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (decreases in percentages of patients with HCC from HCV or ALD and a small increase in HCC among persons with NASH). Data from the UNOS revealed that among patients new to the liver transplant waitlist, or undergoing liver transplantation, for CLF, there was a significant decrease in the percentage with HCV infection and increases in percentages of patients with NAFLD or ALD. Among patients new to the liver transplant waitlist, or undergoing liver transplantation, for HCC, proportions of those with HCV infection, NAFLD, or ALD did not change between 2003 and 2015 Conclusions In an analysis of 3 different databases (NHANES, HealthCore, and UNOS), we found the proportion of patients on the liver transplant waitlist or undergoing liver transplantation for chronic HCV infection to be decreasing, and fewer patients to have cirrhosis or CLF. However, the percentages of patients on the waitlist or receiving liver transplants for NASH or ALD are increasing, despite different relative burdens of disease among the entire population of patie...

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M inimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a prevalent neurocognitive complication of cirrhosis that is diagnosed in up to 80% of patients with cirrhosis. It is associated with increased progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) and impaired driving skills. 1-3 MHE patients have impaired attention, visuomotor coordination, psychomotor speed, and response inhibition. 4 Paper-pencil standard psychometric tests (SPT) or the computerized inhibitory control test (ICT) can be used to diagnose MHE. 5

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PPI therapy is associated with SBP in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether PPI avoidance can reduce the incidence of SBP and improve outcomes.

Background & Aims-In patients with cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has acute but reversible as well as chronic components. We investigated the extent of residual cognitive impairment following clinical resolution of overt HE (OHE).

This trial demonstrated a significant rate of MHE reversal and excellent adherence in cirrhotics after probiotic yogurt supplementation with potential for long-term adherence.

Cirrhotics with CDAD have a higher mortality, LOS, and charges on the NIS 2005 compared with those without CDAD. Antibiotic and PPI use are risk factors for CDAD development in hospitalized cirrhotics.