Nutrition and physical activity in NAFLD:An overview of the epidemiological evidence

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has been recognized as a major health burden.The high prevalence of NAFLD is probably due to the contemporary epidemics of obesity,unhealthy dietary pattern,and sedentary lifestyle.The efficacy and safety profile of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of NAFLD remains uncertain and obesity is strongly associated with hepatic steatosis;therefore,the first line of treatment is lifestyle modification.The usual management of NAFLD includes gradual weight reduction and increased physical activity(PA)leading to an improvement in serum liver enzymes,reduced hepatic fatty infiltration,and,in some cases,a reduced degree of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.Nutrition has been demonstrated to be associated with NAFLD and Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)in both animals and humans,and thus serves as a major route of prevention and treatment.However,most human studies are observational and retrospective,allowing limited inference about causal associations.Large prospective studies and clinical trials are now needed to establish a causal relationship.Based on available data,patients should optimally achieve a 5%-10%weight reduction.Setting realistic goals is essential for long-term successful lifestyle modification and more effort must be devoted to informing NAFLD patients of the health benefits of even a modest weight reduction.Furthermore,all NAFLD patients,whether obese or of normal weight,should be informed that a healthy diet has benefits beyond weight reduction.They should be advised to reduce saturated/trans fat and increase polyunsaturated fat,with special emphasize on omega-3 fatty acids.They should reduce added sugar to its minimum,try to avoid soft drinks containing sugar,including fruit juices that contain a lot of fructose,and increase their fiber intake.For the heavy meat eaters,especially those of red and processed meats,less meat and increased fish intake should be recommended.Minimizing fast food intake will also help maintain a healthy diet.PA should be integrated into behavioral therapy in NAFLD,as even small gains in PA and fitness may have significant health benefits.Potentially therapeutic dietary supplements are vitamin E and vitamin D,but both warrant further research.Unbalanced nutrition is not only strongly associated with NAFLD,but is also a risk factor that a large portion of the population is exposed to.Therefore,it is important to identify dietary patterns that will serve as modifiable risk factors for the prevention of NAFLD and its complications.

Trans-arterial chemo-embolization is safe and effective for very elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of trans-arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) in very elderly patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study, from 2001 to 2010, compared clinical outcomes following TACE between patients ≥ 75 years old and younger patients (aged between 65 and 75 years and younger than 65 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), diagnosed according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases criteria. The decision that patients were not candidates for curative therapy was made by a multidisciplinary HCC team. Data collected included demographics, co-morbidities, liver disease etiology, liver disease severity and the number of procedures. The primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes included post-embolization syndrome (nausea, fever, abdominal right upper quadrant pain, increase in liver enzymes with no evidence of sepsis and with a clinical course limited to 3-4 d post procedure) and 30-d complications. Additionally, changes in liver enzyme measurements were assessed [alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase] in the week following TACE. Analysis employed both univariate and multivariate methods (Cox regression models). RESULTS: Of 102 patients who underwent TACE as sole treatment, 10 patients (9.8%) were > 80 years old at diagnosis; 13 (12.7%) were between 75 and 80 years, 45 (44.1%) were between 65 and 75 years and 34 (33.3%) were younger than 65 years. Survival analysis demonstrated similar survival patterns between the elderly patients and younger patients. Age was also not associated with the adverse event rate. Survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years from diagnosis were 74%, 37% and 31% among patients < 65 years; 83%, 66% and 48% among patients aged 65 to 75 years; and 86%, 41% and 23% among patients ≥ 75 years. There were no differences between the age groups in the pre-procedural care, including preventive treatment for contrast nephropathy and prophylactic antibiotics. Multivariate survival analysis, controlling for disease stage at diagnosis with the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer score, number of TACE procedures, sex and alphafetoprotein level at the time of diagnosis, found no significant difference in the mortality hazard for elderly vs younger patients, and there were no differences in post-procedural complications. Serum creatinine levels did not change after 55% of the procedures, in all age groups. In 42% of all procedures, serum creatinine levels increased by no more than 25% above the baseline levels prior to TACE. Overall, there were 69 post-embolization events (23%). Hepatocellular enzymes often increased following TACE, with no association with prognosis. In 40% of the procedures, ALT and AST levels rose by at least 100%. The increases in hepatocellular enzymes occurred similarly in all age groups. CONCLUSION: TACE is safe and effective in very elderly patients with HCC, and is not associated with decreased survival or increased complication rates.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Steps forward but still a long way to go

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the third cause of tumor associated deaths worldwide. HCC incidence rates are increasing in many parts of the world including developing and developed countries. Potentially curative treatments for HCC are resection and liver transplantation, but these are only suitable for patients with small tumors, meeting strict pre-defined criteria, or well-compensated liver disease. Early diagnosis of HCCcan be achieved by surveillance of at-risk populations. For patients with non-resectable disease treatments modalities include loco-ablative and systemic therapies. In this review we focus on treatment options in HCC and their allocation. Although significant research is in progress, to this date, the results are unsatisfactory with limited long-term survival. In the fight against this deadly disease, there is still a long way to go.

Effect of resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease a randomized-clinical trial

AIM:To evaluate the effect of resistance training(RT)on non alcoholic liver disease(NAFLD)patients.METHODS:A randomized clinical trial enrolling NAFLD patients without secondary liver disease(e.g.,without hepatitis B virus,hepatitis C virus or excessive alcohol consumption).Patients were randomly allocated either to RT,three times weekly,for 3 mo or a control arm consisting of home stretching.The RT included leg press,chest press,seated rowing,latissimus pull down etc.with 8-12 repetitions,3 sets for each exercise,for a total duration of 40 min.Hepatic ultrasound,fasting blood tests,anthropometrics and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed.At baseline and follow-up,patients filled out a detailed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire reporting their habitual nutritional intake.Steatosis was quantified by the hepatorenal-ultrasound index(HRI)representing the ratio between the brightness level of the liver and the right kidney.The HRI has been previously demonstrated to be highly reproducible and was validated against liver biopsy and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.RESULTS:Eighty two patients with primary NAFLD were randomized to receive 3 mo of either RT or stretching.After dropout or exclusion from analysis because of protocol violation(weight change>3 kg),thirty three patients in the RT arm and 31 in the stretching arm completed the study per protocol.All baseline characteristics were similar for the two treatment groups with respect to demographics,anthropometrics and body composition,blood tests and liver steatosis on imaging.HRI score was reduced significantly in the RT arm as compared to the stretching arm(-0.25±0.37 vs-0.05±0.28,P=0.017).The RT arm had a significantly higher reduction in total,trunk and android fat with increase in lean body mass.There was no correlation between the reduction in HRI in the RT arm and weight change during the study,but it was positively correlated with the change in trunk fat(r=0.37,P=0.048).The RT arm had a significant reduction in serum ferritin and total cholesterol.There was no significant difference between arms in dietary changes and these did not correlate with HRI change.CONCLUSION:Three months RT improves hepatic fat content accompanied by favorable changes in body composition and ferritin.RT may serve as a complement to treatment of NAFLD.

Comparison of fatty liver index with noninvasive methods for steatosis detection and quantification

AIM:To compare noninvasive methods presently used for steatosis detection and quantification in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS:Cross-sectional study of subjects from the general population,a subgroup from the First Israeli National Health Survey,without excessive alcohol consumption or viral hepatitis.All subjects underwent anthropometric measurements and fasting blood tests.Evaluation of liver fat was performed using four noninvasive methods:the SteatoTest;the fatty liver index(FLI);regular abdominal ultrasound(AUS);and the hepatorenal ultrasound index(HRI).Two of the noninvasive methods have been validated vs liver biopsy and were considered as the reference methods:the HRI,the ratio between the median brightness level of the liver and right kidney cortex;and the SteatoTest,a biochemical surrogate marker of liver steatosis.The FLI is calculated by an algorithm based on triglycerides,body mass index,γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase and waist circumference,that has been validated only vs AUS.FLI < 30 rules out and FLI ≥ 60 rules in fatty liver.RESULTS:Three hundred and thirty-eight volunteers met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had valid tests.The prevalence rate of NAFLD was 31.1% according to AUS.The FLI was very strongly correlated with SteatoTest(r = 0.91,P < 0.001) and to a lesser but significant degree with HRI(r = 0.55,P < 0.001).HRI and SteatoTest were significantly correlated(r = 0.52,P < 0.001).The κ between diagnosis of fatty liver by SteatoTest(≥ S2) and by FLI(≥ 60) was 0.74,which represented good agreement.The sensitivity of FLI vs SteatoTest was 85.5%,specificity 92.6%,positive predictive value(PPV) 74.7%,and negative predictive value(NPV) 96.1%.Most subjects(84.2%) with FLI < 60 had S0 and none had S3-S4.The κ between diagnosis of fatty liver by HRI(≥ 1.5) and by FLI(≥ 60) was 0.43,which represented only moderate agreement.The sensitivity of FLI vs HRI was 56.3%,specificity 86.5%,PPV 57.0%,and NPV 86.1%.The diagnostic accuracy of FLI for steatosis > 5%,as predicted by SteatoTest,yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC) of 0.97(95% CI:0.95-0.98).The diagnostic accuracy of FLI for steatosis> 5%,as predicted by HRI,yielded an AUROC of 0.82(95% CI:0.77-0.87).The κ between diagnosis of fatty liver by AUS and by FLI(≥ 60) was 0.48 for the entire sample.However,after exclusion of all subjects with an intermediate FLI score of 30-60,the κ between diagnosis of fatty liver by AUS and by FLI either ≥ 60 or < 30 was 0.65,representing good agreement.Excluding all the subjects with an intermediate FLI score,the sensitivity of FLI was 80.3% and the specificity 87.3%.Only 8.5% of those with FLI < 30 had fatty liver on AUS,but 27.8% of those with FLI ≥ 60 had normal liver on AUS.CONCLUSION:FLI has striking agreement with SteatoTest and moderate agreements with AUS or HRI.However,if intermediate values are excluded FLI has high diagnostic value vs AUS.

Role of illness perception and self-efficacy in lifestyle modification among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

AIM To describe the relationships between non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease(NAFLD) patient's disease consequences and treatment perceptions, self-efficacy, and healthy lifestyle maintenance. METHODS A cross-sectional study among 146 ultrasound diagnosed NAFLD patients who visited the fatty liver clinic at the TelAviv Medical Center. Eighty-seven of these individuals, participated in a clinical trial of physical activity and underwent fasting blood tests, analyzed at the same lab. Exclusion criteria included positivity for serum HBsA g or anti-HCV antibodies; fatty liver suspected to be secondary to hepatotoxic drugs; excessive alcohol consumption(≥ 30 g/d in men or ≥ 20 g/d in women) and positive markers of genetic or immune-mediated liver diseases. Patients were asked to complete a selfreport structured questionnaire, assembled by the Israeli Center for Disease Control. Nutrition habits were measured using six yes/no questions(0 = no, 1 = yes) adopted from the national survey questionnaire. Participants in the clinical trial completed a detailed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) reporting their habitual nutritional intake during the past year. Self-efficacy was assessed by the Self-Efficacy Scale questionnaire, emotional representation, degree of illness understanding, timeline perception, treatment perception and symptoms were measured by the Brief Illness Perception questionnaire. Illness consequences were measured by the Personal Models of Diabetes Interview questionnaire. A path analysis was performed to describe the interrelationships between the patients' illness perceptions, and assess the extent to which the data fit a prediction of nutritional habits.RESULTS The study sample included 54.1% men, with a mean age of 47.76 ± 11.68 years(range: 20-60) and mean body mass index of 31.56 ± 4.6. The average perceived nutrition habits score was 4.73 ± 1.45 on a scale between 0-6, where 6 represents the healthiest eating habits. Most of the study participants(57.2%) did not feel they fully understood what NAFLD is. Better nutritional habits were positively predicted by the degree of illness understanding(β = 0.26; P = 0.002) and selfefficacy(β = 0.25; P = 0.003). Perceptions of more severe illness consequences were related with higher emotional representation(β = 0.55; P < 0.001), which was related with lower self-efficacy(β =-0.17; P = 0.034). The perception of treatment effectiveness was positively related with self-efficacy(β = 0.32; P < 0.001). In accordance with the correlation between self-efficacy and the perceived nutrition habits score, self-efficacy was also correlated with nutrient intake evaluated by the FFQ; negatively with saturated fat(percent of saturated fat calories from total calories)(r =-0.28, P = 0.010) and positively with fiber(r = 0.22, P = 0.047) and vitamin C intake(r = 0.34, P = 0.002). In a sub analysis of the clinical trial participants, objectively measured compliance to physical activity regimen was positively correlated with the self-efficacy level(r = 0.34, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION Self-efficacy and illness understanding are major determinants of lifestyle-modification among NAFLD patients. This information can assist clinicians in improving compliance with lifestyle changes among these patients.

Gender-associated differences in urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection referrals and results among dyspeptic patients

AIM: To verify whether there is a gender difference in the 13C-urea breath test results in a large cohort. METHODS: The test results of dyspeptic patients referred for 13C-urea breath testing between January and December, 2007 were evaluated. Testing was carried out at the health insurance organization branches and evaluated at a central laboratory in Israel. RESULTS: Of a total of 28 746 test results, 18 122 (63.04%) were from females and 10 624 (36.95%) from males. Overall, 10 188 (35.4%) results [expressed as delta over baseline (DOB)] were positive (DOB 13C > 5), 18,326 (63.7%) were negative (DOB 13C < 3.5) and 232 (0.8%) were borderline (DOB 13C 3.5-5). There was a significant difference between the total positive rate among females and males (34.8% vs 37.2%, respectively, P = 0.0003). The mean test value was increased by approximately 10 units for females compared to males (P < 0.01) and this difference was consistent for all age groups (i.e., between 10-80 years of age, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: More females were referred to 13C-urea breath testing. More males had positive results. The mean test values were significantly higher among females of all age groups, possibly representing an increased bacterial load among females and suggesting gender-associated differences in Helicobacter pylori host interactions.

Trabeculectomy with Ex-PRESS implant versus Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation-a comparative study

AIM：To compare the surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy with Ex-PRESS implant and Ahmed glaucoma valve（AGV） implantation. METHODS： Patients who underwent trabeculectomy with Ex-PRESS implants or AGV implantation separately were included in this retrospective chart review.Main outcome measures were surgical failure and complications.Failure was defined as intraocular pressure（IOP） 〉21 mm Hg or 〈5 mm Hg on two consecutive visits after 3mo,reoperation for glaucoma,or loss of light perception.Eyes that had not failed were considered as complete success if they did not required supplemental medical therapy.RESULTS： A total of 64 eyes from 57 patients were included： 31 eyes in the Ex-PRESS group and 33 eyes in the AGV group.The mean follow-up time was 2.6 ±1.1y and 3.3±1.6y,respectively.Patients in the AGV group had significantly higher baseline mean IOP（P =0.005）,lower baseline mean visual acuity（VA）（P =0.02）,and higher proportion of patients with history of previous trabeculectomy（P 〈0.0001）.Crude failure rates were 16.1%,n =5/31 in the Ex-PRESS group and 24.2%,n =8/33 in the AGV group.The cumulative proportion of failure was similar between the groups,P =0.696.The proportion of eyes that experienced postoperative complications was32.3% in the Ex-PRESS group and 60.1% in the AGV group（P =0.0229）.CONCLUSION： Trabeculectomy with Ex-PRESS implant and AGV implantation had comparable failure rates.The AGV group had more post-operative complications,but also included more complex cases with higher baselinemean IOP,worse baseline mean VA,and more previous glaucoma surgeries.Therefore,the results are limited to the cohort included in this study.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms:Prevalence,sociodemographics and treatment patterns in the adult Israeli population

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and to identify treatment patterns among GERD patients. METHODS: A telephone survey of a representative sample of the adult Israeli population was conducted. The questionnaire included detailed sociodemographics, history of GERD symptoms and the various treatments used. RESULTS: The survey included 2027 subjects. Twice weekly, once weekly and monthly GERD symptoms were reported by 8.4%, 12.5% and 21.5% of subjects, respectively. There was no difference in prevalence between men and woman; however, GERD symptoms were significantly more prevalent within the older age group and lower socioeconomic status. Among those reporting weekly symptoms, a quarter did not use any kind of therapy and another quarter used various traditional remedies (e.g. soda, milk, almonds, etc.). Antacids were used by 35.1%, H2 blockers by 13.2% and PPIs by 17.5%. CONCLUSION: We found that 12.5% of the adult Israeli population experience weekly GERD symptoms. GERD prevalence and sociodemographics are similar to those described in other Western countries, and treatment is still suboptimal.

Nutritional issues in patients with obesity and cirrhosis

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are considered as responsible for a condition known as the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that goes from simple accumulation of triglycerides to hepatic inflammation and may progress to cirrhosis.Patients with obesity also have an increased risk of primary liver malignancies and increased body mass index is a predictor of decompensation of liver cirrhosis.Sarcopenic obesity confers a risk of physical impairment and disability that is significantly higher than the risk induced by each of the two conditions alone as it has been shown to be an independent risk factor for chronicliver disease in patients with obesity and a prognostic negative marker for the evolution of liver cirrhosis and the results of liver transplantation.Cirrhotic patients with obesity are at high risk for depletion of various fat-soluble,water-soluble vitamins and trace elements and should be supplemented appropriately.Diet,physical activity and protein intake should be carefully monitored in these fragile patients according to recent recommendations.Bariatric surgery is sporadically used in patients with morbid obesity and cirrhosis also in the setting of liver transplantation.The risk of sarcopenia,micronutrient status,and the recommended supplementation in patients with obesity and cirrhosis are discussed in this review.Furthermore,the indications and contraindications of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss in the cirrhotic patient with obesity are discussed.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is not associated with a lower health perception

AIM: To examine the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and general health perception.METHODS: This cross sectional and prospective follow-up study was performed on a cohort of a subsample of the first Israeli national health and nutrition examination survey, with no secondary liver disease or history of alcohol abuse. On the first survey, in 2003-2004, 349 participants were included. In 2009-2010 participants from the baseline survey were invited to participate in a follow-up survey. On both baseline and follow-up surveys the data collected included: self-reported general health perception, physical activity habits, frequency of physician's visits, fatigue impact scale and abdominal ultrasound. Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography using standardized criteria and the ratio between the median brightness level of the liver and the right kidney was calculated to determine the Hepato-Renal Index.RESULTS: Out of 349 eligible participants in the first survey, 213 volunteers participated in the follow-up cohort and were included in the current analysis, NAFLD was diagnosed in 70/213(32.9%). The prevalence of "very good" self-reported health perception was lower among participants diagnosed with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. However, adjustment for BMI attenuated the association(OR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.36-1.50, P = 0.392). Similar results were observed for the hepato-renal index; it was inversely associated with "very good" health perception but adjustment for BMI attenuated the association. In a full model of multivariate analysis, that included all potential predictors for health perception, NAFLD was not associated with the self-reported general health perception(OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.40-1.86, P = 0.704). The odds for "very good" self-reported general health perception(compared to "else") increased among men(OR = 2.42, 95%CI: 1.26-4.66, P = 0.008) and those with higher performance of leisure time physical activity(OR = 1.01, 95%CI: 1.00-1.01, P < 0.001, per every minute/week) and decreased with increasing level of BMI(OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.84-0.99, P = 0.028, per every kg/m^2) and older age(OR = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.93-0.99, P = 0.033, per one year). Current smoking was not associated with health perception(OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 0.54-3.16, P = 0.552). Newly diagnosed(naive) and previously diagnosed(at the first survey, not naive) NAFLD patients did not differ in their self-health perception. The presence of NAFLD at the first survey as compared to normal liver did not predict health perception deterioration at the 7 years follow-up. In terms of health-services utilization, subjects diagnosed with NAFLD had a similar number of physician's visits(general physicians and specialty consultants) as in the normal liver group. Parameters in the fatigue impact scale were equivalent between the NAFLD and the normal liver groups.CONCLUSION: Fatty liver without clinically significant liver disease does not have independent impact on selfhealth perception.

prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in young, average risk individuals: A turning tide between East and West

AIM To determine the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in average risk persons 40-59 years of age in Israel and to compare the results with other populations. METHODS We reviewed the results of asymptomatic average-risk subjects, aged 40 to 59 years, undergoing their first screening colonoscopy between April 1994 and January 2014. The detection rates of adenoma, advanced adenoma(AA) and colorectal cancer(CRC) were determined in the 40's and 50's age groups by gender. The prevalence of lesions was compared between age groups. After meticulous review of the literature, these results were compared to published studies addressing the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in similar patient groups, in a variety of geographical locations.RESULTS We included first screening colonoscopy results of 1750 individuals. The prevalence of adenomas, AA and CRC was 8.3%, 1.0% and 0.2% in the 40-49 age group and 13.7%, 2.4% and 0.2% in the 50-59 age group, respectively. Age-dependent differences in adenoma and AA rates were significant only among men(p < 0.005). Literature review disclosed 17 relevant studies. As expected, in both Asian and Western populations, the risks for overall adenoma and advanced adenoma was significantly higher in the 50's age group as compared to the 40's age group in a similar fashion. The result of the current study were similar to previous studies on Western populations. A substantially higher rate of adenoma, was observed in studies conducted among Asian populations in both age groups.CONCLUSION The higher rate of colorectal neoplasia in Asian populations requires further investigation and reconsideration as to the starting age of screening in that population.

Emergency department electric scooter injuries after the introduction of shared e-scooter services: A retrospective review of 3,331 cases

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency, characteristics, and use of resources related to electric scooter(e-scooter) injuries in the emergency department(ED) of a major metropolitan area hospital.METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all ED presentations related to e-scooter injuries at a level I trauma center between May 2017 and February 2020. We identified ED presentation data, injury-related data, patients’ clinical course after evaluation, injury diagnosis, surgical procedures, and ED readmissions.RESULTS: A total of 3,331 patients with e-scooter injuries presented to the ED over a 34-month period. There was a 6-fold increase in e-scooter-related injuries presenting to the ED, from an average of 26.9 injuries per month before the introduction of shared e-scooter services in August 2018 to an average of 152.6 injuries per month after its introduction. The average injury rate during weekdays was 3.27 per day, with the majority of injuries occurring in the afternoon. The most common mechanism of injury was rider fall(79.1%). There were a total of 2,637 orthopedic injuries, of which 599(22.7%) were fractures. A total of 296(8.9%) patients were hospitalized following the initial ED admission, and 462 surgeries were performed within 7 days of ED arrival.CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the shared e-scooter services is associated with a dramatic increase in e-scooter injuries presenting to the ED. E-scooter use carries considerably underestimated injury risks of high-energy trauma and misunderstood mechanisms of injuries. These injuries challenge the healthcare system, with a major impact on both EDs and surgical departments.

Predictors for advanced fibrosis in morbidly obese nonalcoholic fatty liver patients

AIM To investigate predictors for fibrosis specifically in a high risk population of morbidly obese patients, including detailed evaluation of lifestyle. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among morbidly obese patients attending the bariatric clinic at the TelAviv Medical Center between the years 2013-2014 with body mass index(BMI) above 40 or above 35 with co-morbidity. Patients with serum hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies, genetic liver diseases, autoimmune disease or high alcohol intake(≥ 30 g/d in men or ≥ 20 g/d in women) were excluded from the study. Liver fibrosis was estimated by transient elastography(Fibro Scan?), using the ‘‘XL'' probe. We collected data on age and gender, education, smoking status and amount, medical history, nutrition and lifestyle habits. All these data were collected using structured and validated questionnaires. Fasting blood test were available for a subsample. RESULTS Fibroscan was performed on a total of 91 patients, of which 77 had a valid examination according to the accepted criteria. Of those, 21% had significant fibrosis(F2) and 39% had advanced or severe fibrosis(F3 or F4). In multivariate analysis, male gender and BMI had a positive association with advanced fibrosis; the OR for fibrosis F ≥ 2 was 7.93(95%CI: 2.36-26.64, P = 0.001) for male gender and 1.33(1.11-1.60 kg/m2, P = 0.002) for BMI. The OR for fibrosis F ≥ 3 was 2.92(1.08-7.91, P = 0.035) for male gender and 1.17(1.03-1.33, P = 0.018) for BMI. Subjects were categorized to subgroups based on the combination of male gender and BMI of 40 and above. A significant dose response association with stiffness level was noted across these categories, with the highest stiffness among men with a higher BMI(P = 0.001). In addition, a significant positive correlation between pack-years cigarette smoking and liver stiffness was demonstrated among men(r = 0.54, P = 0.012).CONCLUSION In the morbidly obese population, a higher BMI, male gender and degree of smoking in men bears a greater risk for advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Perspective on early lens extraction for primary angle-closure glaucoma

Primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG)is a subtype of glaucoma that affects 16 million people worldwide,of whom4 million are bilaterally blind.This prevalence of PACG is expected to increase to 21 million cases by 2020,and it is expected that 5.3 million people will become