Incidence and immunochemical features of serum cryoglobulin in chronic liver disease.

Essential cryoglobulinaemia was detected in 44 out of 150 patients (29%) screened on the basis of histological confirmation of chronic inflammatory liver disease (chronic persistent or aggressive hepatitis, or cirrhosis). Cryoglobulinemia prevailed in the patients whose hepatic tissue showed more features of active inflammation; also, a female prevalence was observed. There were no correlations between cryoglobulinaemia and either HBsAg positivity or alcoholic liver disease. Mixed cryoglobulins made of heterogeneous immunoglobulins without monotypic components were mostly associated with established cirrhosis, whereas monotypic cryoglobulins were exclusively found in patients with either persistent or aggressive chronic hepatitis. Mixed cryoglobulins with a monotypic component were associated with all histological grades of liver damage. This study affords an objective evaluation of both the frequency and immunochemical features of cryoglobulins associated with chronic inflammatory liver disease.     

慢性肝病患者血液透析相关性低血压发生率的临床分析

目的 分析慢性乙型肝炎(乙肝)与肝硬化患者血液透析过程中低血压的发生情况.方法 选取2010年6月1日-11月30日于我院血液透析中心因肾衰竭而维持血液透析且HBsAg阳性的患者23例,根据是否进展至肝硬化,分为慢性乙肝组和肝硬化组.分析2组患者血液透析过程中低血压的发生情况.结果 慢性乙肝组共进行血液透析975例次,...     

Incidence and risk factors of delayed postpolypectomy bleeding in patients with chronic liver disease

Objective Hepatologists and colonoscopists often hesitate to perform a colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), especially those with cirrhosis, because of the risk of postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB). We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of delayed PPB after a colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with CLD. Materials and methods In total, 152 patients with CLD who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy from December 2005 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Cirrhosis was identified in 80 (52.6%) patients. During the study period, 442 polyps were removed and delayed PPB developed in 14 (9.2%) patients. The incidence of delayed PPB was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in those without the disease (13.8% [n?=?11] vs. 4.2% [n?=?3], p?=?0.041). The polyp size (odds ratio, 1.087; 95% confidence interval, 1.009–1.172) and cirrhosis (odds ratio, 8.535; 95% confidence interval, 2.417–30.140) were independent risk factors for delayed PPB. In patients with cirrhosis, the optimal cut-off size to identify high-risk polyps for delayed PPB was 10 mm (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.737; sensitivity, 52%; specificity, 88%). Conclusion Caution is needed when colonoscopic polypectomy is planned in patients with CLD who have larger polyps and cirrhosis.     

Clinicopathological features and genotype distribution in patients with hepatitis C virus chronic liver disease

Background and Objective  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype influences the severity of disease and response to therapy. This retrospective study examined the clinical and histological features and the genotype distribution in biopsied patients with HCV related chronic liver disease. Methods  Of 105 biopsies from patients with HCV infection, 96 from patients with chronic liver disease were reviewed. The Ishak scoring system was used for histological analysis. Results  Genotype 3 was most common accounting for 77.1%, and genotype 1 for 9.4% of cases. There was no significant association of transaminase levels, viral load or necro-inflammatory activity score with genotype. A severe degree of fibrosis was seen in 77.8% cases of genotype 1 and in 63.5% of genotype 3 (p=0.76). Variable degrees of steatosis were noted in 68.8% of cases. However, severe steatosis was noted only in genotype 3 (7 cases). Serum transaminase levels did not correlate with either histological activity (p=0.43) or degree of fibrosis (p=0.72). Severe fibrosis / cirrhosis was seen in 74.24% of patients above 40 years of age as compared to 33.3% of patients below 40 years (p=0.001). The frequency of Mallory hyaline was significantly different between genotypes 1 and 3 infection (P<0.001). Conclusions  This study confirms the preponderance of genotype 3 in Indian patients with HCV related chronic liver disease. Severe steatosis was seen only in genotype 3 and Mallory hyaline was very common in genotype 1. The small numbers of patients in non genotype 3 could be a reason for the apparent lack of histological differences between different HCV genotypes. Severe fibrosis seen in older age groups confirms that HCV infection is progressive and major acceleration of the disease process occurs after 40 years of age.     

Influence of chronic liver disease on coronary atherosclerosis vulnerability features

INTRODUCTION: A lower incidence of acute myocardial infarction was reported in patients with chronic liver disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of chronic liver disease on characteristics associated with vulnerability of human coronary artery atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: One hundred fourteen hearts were collected from 3 groups of individuals: A--38 chronic liver disease patients who died while on the waiting list for liver transplantation; B--38 individuals who died of natural causes; and C--38 individuals who died of accidental causes. The most obstructed portion of the initial 2-cm segment of coronary arteries was histologically evaluated regarding to plaque area, luminal area, inflammation, percentage of fat, and total vessel area. RESULTS: The mean age (years) and male frequency in groups A, B and C were, respectively, 52+/-9 and 79%; 52+/-11 and 71%; and 54+/-18 and 89%. The mean area of the plaque and the incidence of severe plaque inflammation in group A were significantly lower (4.2+/-3.2; 13.2%) than those in the other two groups (6.6+/-4.3; 84.2%, and 6.3+/-4.4; 52.6%) p<0.01. The cross-sectional vessel measures were not statistically different regarding to vessel area (10.5+/-4.6; 12.1+/-4.6; 13.0+/-4.4) p=0.08, luminal obstruction (45%+/-15%; 60%+/-20%; 53%+/-20%) p=0.07, and fat area in the plaque (16%+/-17%; 30%+/-24%; 18%+/-18) p=0.37. In conclusion, compared with the general population, chronic liver disease patients have coronary arteries with smaller intimal plaque and less vessel inflammation. These findings favor the concept that hepatic disease patients are less prone to develop complicated coronary atherosclerosis.     

Coronary artery disease and coronary angioplasty in chronic hemodialysis patients

Chronic renal insufficiency leads to many cardiovascular complications and provide worst prognosis, especially when patients need hemodialysis. The atherosclerosis of chronic hemodialysis patients is qualified as "accelerated" by some authors, because of a very fast and large progression. To improve prognosis, it seems to be very important to detect and treat the frequent and serious underlying cardiovascular disease. Because of the high rate of diabetes mellitus, silent ischemia is a very frequent clinical situation. In the other hand, coronary artery disease in chronic hemodialysis patients is frequently complex, with a large coronary extension and high rate of coronary calcifications. Consequently, this disease needs a specific therapeutic approach. Even though, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are more complex in this population, it provides good results, and improves patient's prognosis. However, the rate of complications of the vascular approach and the rate of restenosis is high. New devices, such as Drug Eluting Stents (DES) can critically decrease restenosis rate, and closure devices for trans-femoral approach, provides very encouraging results in this high risk population. Despite, good results of PCI with DES use, the mortality is still high in this population. To improve our efficiency, we have to progress in our therapeutic strategies and optimize medical approach to treat the important biological perturbations.     

Platelet reactivity in patients with chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - End stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis (HD) is frequent and coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common comorbidity. It is associated with bleeding...     

Infective endocarditis in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis: clinical features and outcome

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE), and mortality is high in this group. The study aim was to determine clinical features and outcome of IE in patients with chronic renal failure and receiving hemodialysis. METHODS: Between 1987 and 2002, all consecutive patients with infective endocarditis treated at the authors' institution who were not intravenous drug abusers were selected prospectively. A comparative analysis was performed of patients undergoing hemodialysis and other patients in the series. RESULTS: A total of 241 cases of IE was diagnosed, and 14 patients (6%) were receiving hemodialysis. A lower frequency of known predisposing heart disease (14% versus 74%, p <0.01) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (0% versus 35%, p <0.05) and a higher rate of negative blood cultures (21% versus 12%, p <0.05) were detected in hemodialysis patients. Early surgery was performed in 50% of patients in both groups. The frequency of complications was similar in both groups, but early (43% versus 16%, p = 0.03) and late (22% versus 9%, p <0.05) mortality were higher in hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with IE who are undergoing hemodialysis have a lower frequency of predisposing heart disease and higher rates of negative blood cultures. Although patient groups were similarly treated, early and late mortality was significantly higher among those receiving dialysis.     

慢性肝病对散发性戊型病毒性肝炎临床特征的影响探讨

目的 探讨不同原因的慢性肝病对散发性戊型病毒性肝炎(viral hepatitis E,HE)临床特征的影响.方法 选取245例HE患者进行回顾性分析.根据基础肝病的不同将其划分为A组(慢性乙肝重叠感染HEV)67例;B组(慢性血吸虫病重叠感染HEV)51例;C组(慢性酒精性肝病合并感染HEV)49例和D组(随机选取同期单纯HEV感染者)78例.观察各组的总胆红素(TBil)峰值、凝血酶原时间国际标准化比值(Prothrombin Time Intertional Normalized Ratio,PT-INR)峰值、痊愈患者平均住院日、重型肝炎发生率和死亡率.结果 A-D组TBil峰值、PT-INR峰值、痊愈患者平均住院日、重型肝炎发生率和死亡率分别为117.43±37.92 μmol/L,1.68±0.54,20.85±6.45 d,22.39%和14.93%;76.39±23.67 μmol/L,1.03±0.32,13.47±4.98 d,11.76%和7.84%;79.65±24.25μmol/L,1.08±0.35,14.91±5.63 d,10.20%和6.12%及68.57±21.34μmol/L,0.99±0.31,12.56±4.21 d,10.26%和3.85%.上述5个指标在A组与D组间比较差异均有显著性(P＜0.05);而在B组与D组间、C组与D组间比较差异均无显著性(P＞0.05).结论 慢性乙肝患者重叠感染HEV后肝病明显加重,易导致重型肝炎的发生,死亡率高.而慢性血吸虫病,慢性酒精性肝病患者重叠或合并感染HEV后,肝病无明显加重,重型肝炎发生率相对较少,预后尚好.     

慢性乙型肝炎合并脂肪肝临床与肝组织病理学分析*

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎（chronic hepatitis B,CHB）合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病（non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD）患者临床特点及脂肪肝对CHB的影响。方法 收集118例经肝穿刺活检诊断的患者,其中脂肪肝患者37例,CHB合并脂肪肝患者41例,CHB患者40例,对三组临床资料包括性别、年龄、血清学、病毒学指标及肝组织学变化进行对比分析。结果 三组患者Alb、ALT、AST、血糖之间无显著性差异（P>0.05）,而非酒精性脂肪肝组GGT和CHOL水平明显高于其他两组（P<0.01）,慢性乙型肝炎合并脂肪肝组TG水平高于非酒精性脂肪肝和慢性乙型肝炎组患者,差异显著（P<0.01）;慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织中重度炎症的比例（72.5%）显著重于慢性乙型肝炎合并脂肪肝患者（63.4%）和非酒精性脂肪肝患者（24.3%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）;与非酒精性脂肪肝组（8.1%）和慢性乙型肝炎组（27.5%）相比,乙型肝炎合并脂肪肝组肝组织中重度肝纤维化比例更高（39%）,且有显著性差异（P<0.01）。结论 脂肪肝能加重慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织纤维化和肝损伤程度。     

Cardiac findings at necropsy in patients with chronic kidney disease maintained on chronic hemodialysis

Studies of multiple hearts at necropsy are lacking in patients who have been on chronic hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied at necropsy 120 patients who had been treated with hemodialysis for more than 1 year (mean, 5.25 ± 4.33 yr). Their ages ranged from 24 to 81 years (mean, 53 yr); 91 (76%) were men. Calcific deposits were present in the heart at necropsy in 74 (62%) patients: in the epicardial coronary arteries in all 74 (62%); in the mitral annular region in 52 (42%) patients, and in the aortic valve cusps in 42 (35%) patients. The frequency and quantity of the cardiac calcific deposits were significantly greater in the older compared with the younger patients, and in those with longer durations of hemodialysis compared with those with shorter durations. Despite the calcific deposits, which were sometimes huge, only 47 (39%) patients had 1 or more coronary arteries narrowed more than 75% in cross-sectional area by atherosclerotic plaques, apparently no patient had clinical evidence of mitral stenosis, and 9 patients had clinical evidence of aortic valve stenosis. Thus, we found that CKD treated with hemodialysis is a major producer of cardiac calcific deposits, some of which can be massive. Only a minority of the calcific deposits, however, appeared to lead to cardiac dysfunction or myocardial ischemia during life.     

Xerostomia in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Xerostomia is the subjective feeling of a dry mouth, which is relatively common in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Xerostomia can be caused by reduced salivary flow secondary to atrophy and fibrosis of the salivary glands, use of certain medications, restriction of fluid intake and old age. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, xerostomia is associated with the following problems: difficulties in chewing, swallowing, tasting and speaking; increased risk of oral disease, including lesions of the mucosa, gingiva and tongue; bacterial and fungal infections, such as candidiasis, dental caries and periodontal disease; interdialytic weight gain resulting from increased fluid intake; and a reduction in quality of life. Unfortunately, no effective treatment exists for xerostomia in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The stimulation of salivary glands by mechanical means (such as chewing gum) or pharmacological agents (such as pilocarpine and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, the latter alone or in combination with angiotensin-receptor blockers), as well as saliva substitutes, are all ineffective, or effective only in the short term. Xerostomia remains a frustrating symptom for patients on hemodialysis, and further efforts should be made to find an effective treatment for it in the near future.     

举足轻重,持续关注肝病营养问题

正肝病营养,尤其是终末期和危重症患者的营养问题,在国际国内受到了越来越多的重视。在营养筛查、评定、营养支持治疗和随访管理等领域均涌现了一些有价值的新理念和新方法。1国际国内共识/指南陆续更新/出台,循证医学证据不断升级近年来,一些国际肝病和营养相关学会陆续发     

Carotid intima-media thickness and liver histology in hemodialysis patients with nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease

The prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients has been demonstrated to be higher than in healthy people. Severe liver fibrosis is strongly associated with early carotid atherosclerosis and it might reduce the survival of patients who undergo both renal replacement therapy and transplantation. We wanted to assess whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was associated with altered intima-media thickness (IMT) in HD patients as an independent marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. We enrolled 42 patients undergoing HD and 48 patients with normal renal function, all of them with high levels of aminotransferases and an ultrasonographic diagnosis of liver steatosis. The control group consisted of 60 healthy subjects. Laboratory tests for inflammatory and oxidative markers, ultrasonographic liver evaluation, carotid IMT measurement, and liver biopsy were performed. Different degrees of fibrosis were detected in our study cohort. Worse liver histopathological scores and higher plasmatic levels of C-reactive protein, reactive oxygen species, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were found in HD patients. Carotid IMT was significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients with histological steatosis. HD patients may develop active and progressive chronic hepatitis faster than patients with normal renal function and the thickness of their carotid intima-media might be markedly increased. These two conditions seem to be independent on classical risk factors and on metabolic syndrome. They might be related to the high levels of oxidants and to the inflammatory state, which are typical of patients undergoing HD. Independently related with the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, nonspecific inflammation and oxide-reductive imbalance may play an important role in the progression of NAFLD and atherosclerotic disease in HD patients.     

血液透析对慢性肾脏病凝血及炎症的影响

目的探讨慢性肾脏病(CKD)5期患者透析与非透析炎症、凝血和纤溶指标的变化,分析血液透析对凝血及炎症的影响。方法选取2013-01~2014-12泸州医学院附属医院肾脏内科收治的93例CKD患者并检测相关凝血及炎症指标。结果与正常对照组35例相比,CKD5期患者57例凝血功能及炎症反应均随着肾小球滤过的下降而逐渐加重,差异有统计学意义。CKD5期透析组40例与非透析组17例相比,血清纤维蛋白原(Fg)有所升高,C反应蛋白(CRP)有所下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);行直线相关分析CRP与Fg、D-D显著相关,呈正相关。结论 CKD5期患者可能存在高凝且继发纤溶亢进的状态,血液透析可能加剧这种紊乱,CKD5期患者高凝状态与炎症密切相关,CRP可能是其危险因素。     

Incidence of strokes and its prognosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

The incidences of cerebral hemorrhage (CH), cerebral infarction (CI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were examined retrospectively in patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis, followed for 13 years in our 26 satellite dialysis centers. During 10,364 patient-years of experience (PYE), CH developed in 66, CI in 16, SAH in 3 and unclassified stroke in 5 cases. The incidence was 637 per 10(5) PYE for CH and 154 for CI, the former being approximately 5 times and the latter one third of the incidence of CH or CI in the general population in Japan. Forty-six percent of fatal CH cases died within 24 hours and 73% within 3 days after the onset, while 13% of CI deaths died within 24 hours and 26% within 3 days. These data suggest that factors such as the regular use of heparin as an anticoagulant in hemodialysis patients or other inherent factors in these patients may increase vulnerability to CH and decrease the probability of CI.