Optimizing nutrition in hepatic cirrhosis:A comprehensive assessment and care approach

Cirrhosis is considered a growing cause of morbidity and mortality,which represents a significant public health problem.Currently,there is no effective treatment to reverse cirrhosis.Treatment primarily centers on addressing the underlying liver condition,monitoring,and managing portal hypertension-related complications,and evaluating the potential for liver transplantation in cases of decompensated cirrhosis,marked by rapid progression and the emer-gence of complications like variceal bleeding,hepatic encephalopathy,ascites,malnutrition,and more.Malnutrition,a prevalent complication across all disease stages,is often underdiagnosed in cirrhosis due to the complexities of nutritional assessment in patients with fluid retention and/or obesity,despite its crucial impact on prognosis.Increasing emphasis has been placed on the collaboration of nutritionists within hepatology and Liver transplant teams to deliver compre-hensive care,a practice that has shown to improve outcomes.This review covers appropriate screening and assessment methods for evaluating the nutritional status of this population,diagnostic approaches for malnutrition,and context-specific nutrition treatments.It also discusses evidence-based recommendations for supplementation and physical exercise,both essential elements of the standard care provided to cirrhotic patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: An update

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed in spite of at-risk population screening recommendations, i.e., patients infected with hepatitis B or C virus. Hepatocarcinogenesis hinges on a great number of genetic and molecular abnormalities that lead to tumor angiogenesis and foster their dissemination potential. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging studies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, in which lesions present a characteristic classical pattern of early arterial enhancement followed by contrast medium "washout" in late venous phase. On occasion, when imaging studies are not conclusive, biopsy of the lesion must be performed to establish the diagnosis. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging method is the most frequently used worldwide and recommended by the international guidelines of HCC management. Currently available treatments include tumor resection, liver transplant, sorafenib and locoregional therapies(alcoholization, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization). The prognosis of hepatocarcinoma is determined according to the lesion's stage and in cirrhotic patients, on residual liver function. Curative treatments, such as liver transplant, are sought in patients diagnosed in early stages; patients in more advanced stages, were not greatly benefitted by chemotherapy in terms of survival until the advent of target molecules such as sorafenib.

Low phase angle is associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis

AIM Evaluate the association between phase angle and the development of hepatic encephalopathy in the longterm follow-up of cirrhotic patients.METHODS This was a prospective cohort study. Clinical, nutritional and biochemical evaluations were performed. MannWhitney's U and χ2 tests were used as appropriate. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional Hazards analysis were used to evaluate the prediction and incidence of hepatic encephalopathy.RESULTS Two hundred and twenty were included; the most frequent etiology of cirrhosis was hepatitis C infection, 52% of the patients developed hepatic encephalopathy(18.6% covert and 33.3% overt); the main precipitating factors were infections and variceal bleeding. KaplanMeier curves showed a higher proportion of HE in the group with low phase angle(39%) compared to the normal phase angle group(13%)(P = 0.012). Furthermore, creatinine and phase angle remained independently associated to hepatic encephalopathy in the Cox regression multivariate analysis [hazard ratio = 1.80(1.07-3.03)]. CONCLUSION In our cohort of patients low phase angle was associated with an increased incidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Phase angle is a useful nutritional marker that evaluates cachexia and could be used as a part of the integral assessment in patients with cirrhosis.

Factors that influence outcome in non-invasive and invasive treatment in polycystic liver disease patients

AIM: To evaluate the factors that influence outcome of both non-invasive and invasive treatment of polycystic liver disease. METHODS: Analysis of clinical files of patients with complete follow-up from July 1986 to June 2006. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (male, 7; female, 34), 47.8 ± 11.9 years age, and 5.7 ± 6.7 years follow-up, were studied. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) elevation (15% of patients) was associated with the requirement of invasive treatment (IT, P = 0.005). IT rate was higher in symptomatic than non-symptomatic patients (65.4% vs 14.3%, P = 0.002), and in women taking hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) (P = 0.001). Cysts complications (CC) were more frequent (22%) in the symptomatic patients group (P = 0.023). Patients with body mass index (BMI) > 25 (59%) had a trend to complications after IT (P = 0.075). Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (56%) and indication for IT (78%). Nineteen patients (46%) required a first IT: 12 open fenestration (OF), 4 laparoscopic fenestration (LF) and 3 fenestration with hepatic resection (FHR). Three required a second IT, and one required a third procedure. Complications due to first IT were found in 32% (OF 16.7%, LF 25%, FHR 66.7%), and in thesecond IT in 66.7% (OF 100%). Follow-up mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSION: Presence of symptoms, elevated AP, and CC are associated with IT requirement. HRT is associated with presence of symptoms and IT requirement. Patients with BMI > 25 have a trend be susceptible to IT complications. The proportions of complications are higher in FHR and second IT groups. RS is more frequent after OF.

Clinical scenarios for the use of S100β as a marker of hepatic encephalopathy

AIM: To evaluate the association between serum concentrations of S100β in patients with cirrhosis and the presence of low grade hepatic encephalopathy (HE).METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The population was categorized into four groups healthy subjects, cirrhosis without HE, cirrhosis with covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) and cirrhosis with overt HE. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney’s U with Bonferroni adjustment Spearman correlations and area under the ROC were used as appropriate.RESULTS: A total of 61 subjects were included, 46 cirrhotic patients and 15 healthy volunteers. S100β values were different among all groups, and differences remained significant between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001), and also between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.016), but not between groups 3 and 4. In cirrhotic patients with HE S100β was higher than in patients without HE [0.18 (0.14-0.28) ng/mL vs 0.11 (0.06-0.14) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. There was a close correlation between serum concentrations of S100β and psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score in patients with cirrhosis without HE compared to the patients with cirrhosis with CHE (r = -0.413, P = 0.019). ROC curve analysis yielded > 0.13 ng/mL as the best cutoff value of S100β for the diagnosis of HE (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 63.6%).CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of S100β are higher in patients with cirrhosis than in healthy volunteers, and are further increased in the presence of hepatic encephalopathy. The results suggest that serum biomarkers such as S100β could help in the correct characterization of incipient stages of HE.

Increased incidence of and microbiologic changes in pyogenic liver abscesses in the Mexican population

BACKGROUND Pyogenic liver abscess(PLA)is a rare disease with an estimated incidence that varies widely across the globe,being as high as 115.4/100000 habitants in Taiwan and as low as 1.1-1.2/100000 habitants in Europe and Canada.Even though there are multiple microorganisms capable of producing an abscess in the liver,including Entamoeba histolytica,fungi,and viruses,most abscesses are derived from bacterial infections.The epidemiology of PLA in Mexico is currently unknown.AIM To describe the clinical,demographic and microbiologic characteristics of PLA in Mexico.METHODS This is a retrospective study carried out in two centers,and included patients seen between 2006 and 2018 with the diagnosis of pyogenic abscess.We collected demographic,clinical,and microbiological information,treatment,complications,and outcomes.A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between different variables and mortality rates.RESULTS A total of 345 patients were included in this study.233(67.5%)had confirmed PLA,133(30%)patients had no positive culture and negative serology and 9(2.5%)had mixed abscesses.The mean age was 50 years(ranging from 16-97 years)and 63%were female.65%of the patients had positive cultures for Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases(ESBL)-Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.Cefotaxime was administered in 60%of cases.The most common sources of infection were ascending cholangitis and cholecystitis in 34(10%)and 31(9%),respectively.The median length of hospital stay was 14 d.165 patients underwent percutaneous catheter drainage.The inpatient mortality rate was 63%.Immunocompromised state[OR 3.9,95%CI:1.42-10.46],ESBL-Escherichia coli[OR 6.7,95%CI:2.7-16.2]and Klebsiella pneumoniae[OR 4-8,95%CI:1.6-14.4]predicted inpatient mortality by multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION The prevalence of PLA is increasing in Mexico and has a very high mortality rate.ESBL-Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the most common microorganisms causing PLA and are independent predictors of inpatient mortality.

Liver transplantation is beneficial regardless of cirrhosis stage or acute-on-chronic liver failure grade:A single-center experience

BACKGROUND Liver transplantation for the most critically ill remains controversial;however,it is currently the only curative treatment option.AIM To assess immediate posttransplant outcomes and compare the short(1 year)and long-term(6 years)posttransplant survival among cirrhotic patients stratified by disease severity.METHODS We included cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation between 2015 and 2019 and categorized them into compensated cirrhosis(CC),decompensated cirrhosis(DC),and acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF).ACLF was further divided into severity grades.Our primary outcomes of interest were total days of intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital stay,development of complications and posttransplant survival at 1 and 6 years.RESULTS 235 patients underwent liver transplantation(CC=11,DC=129 and ACLF=95).Patients with ACLF had a significantly longer hospital stay[8.0(6.0-13.0)vs CC,6.0(3.0-7.0),and DC 7.0(4.5-10.0);P=0.01]and developed more infection-related complications[47(49.5%),vs CC,1(9.1%)and DC,38(29.5%);P<0.01].Posttransplant survival at 1-and 6-years was similar among groups(P=0.60 and P=0.90,respectively).ACLF patients stratified according to ACLF grade[ACLF-1 n=40(42.1%),ACLF-2 n=33(34.7%)and ACLF-3 n=22(23.2%)],had similar ICU and hospital stay length(P=0.68,P=0.54),as well as comparable frequencies of overall and infectious posttransplant complications(P=0.58,P=0.80).There was no survival difference between ACLF grades at 1 year and 6 years(P=0.40 and P=0.15).CONCLUSION Patients may benefit from liver transplantation regardless of the cirrhosis stage.ACLF patients have a longer hospital stay and frequency of infectious complications;however,excellent,and comparable 1 and 6-year survival rates support their enlisting and transplantation including those with ACLF-3.

Effect of non-alcoholic beer,diet and exercise on endothelial function,nutrition and quality of life in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND The implementation of nutritional strategies targeting several variables at once could benefit patients with cirrhosis.Non-alcoholic beer has different compounds that exert antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and nutritional properties.AIM To evaluate the effect of diet+exercise and non-alcoholic beer on nutritional status,endothelial function and quality of life in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS In this randomized open clinical trial,patients with cirrhosis were randomized into two groups:The intervention(non-alcoholic beer+diet+exercise)and control(water+diet+exercise)group.Treatment consisted of 330 mL nonalcoholic beer/day or the same amount of water,plus an individualized dietary plan and an exercise program with a pedometer-based bracelet to reach at least 5000 steps/d and>2500 above the baseline during 8 wk.Endothelial function(flow-mediated dilation,plethysmography),biochemical and nutritional variables and quality of life(CLDQ)were evaluated.RESULTS Forty-three patients were included in the study,21 in the control group and 22 in the intervention group.The mean age was 53.5±7.8 years,60%were women,the median MELD score was 8(7-10)and most patients were Child-Pugh A(88%).Adherence to the interventions was>90%in both groups,there were no adverse events and all biochemical parameters remained stable in both groups.Endothelial function improved in both groups.All measured nutritional parameters improved in the intervention group,compared to only 2 in the control group and quality of life improved in both groups;however,more domains improved in the intervention group.CONCLUSION The intervention consisting of non-alcoholic beer,diet and exercise seems to be safe and well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis,and shows improvement in nutritional status,endothelial function,and quality of life.These results need to be further confirmed.