Tag Archives: liver disease

What is the Best Way to Care for Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Although alcohol-related liver disease is the 8th most common cause of mortality in the US and the 2nd leading cause of mortality among all gastrointestinal diseases, there are few therapeutic options for patients or resources to support identification of new … Continue reading

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A New Drug for Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease?

Obeticholic acid (OCA)—an agonist of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)— increases insulin sensitivity and reduces markers of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a study published in … Continue reading

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How Does PSC Lead to IBD?

Many patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) also have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which becomes more severe after liver transplantation, researchers report in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. These patients might require special immunosuppressive regimens. PSC is … Continue reading

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What are the Effects of Albumin in Patients With SBP?

Albumin infusion prevents renal impairment and reduces mortality among patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), according to a meta-analysis published in the February issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. SBP is a common bacterial infection among cirrhotic patients and a … Continue reading

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New Ways to Study HCV, Genotypes 3 and 4

Researchers can now study replication of Hepatitis C virus genotypes 3 and 4 in cultured cells, described in 2 articles in the January issue of Gastroenterology. These new tools will improve our understanding of how they cause liver disease, and … Continue reading

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Differences in HCV Infection, and Effects of Treatment, Among Countries

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have developed and spread at different rates in different countries, affecting outcomes of therapy, according to the October issue of Gastroenterology. Specific details of each population must therefore be considered in designing prevention and treatment … Continue reading

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How Common is Portal Hypertension in Patients With NAFLD?

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are at risk for portal hypertension and esophageal varices, according to the September issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The study also shows that factors such as advanced liver disease, type 2 diabetes, … Continue reading

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Can Circulating Membrane Vesicles Promote Portal Hypertension?

Patients with cirrhosis have a large amount of circulating membrane vesicles—breakdown products from inflammation and liver cell damage. However, these ‘microparticles’ (MPs) are not simply debris; they contribute to the systemic vasodilation and portal hypertension associated with cirrhosis, according to … Continue reading

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It’s Not Easy to Diagnose Intermediate-Stage Liver Fibrosis

Biopsy has a low level of diagnostic performance for liver fibrosis stages F2 and F1. The recommendation for biopsy analysis, instead of non-invasive tests, for diagnosis of intermediate stages of fibrosis is therefore misleading, according to the June issue of … Continue reading

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Is Cardiac Surgery Safe for Patients With Cirrhosis?

Patients with compensated cirrhosis who undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass do not have greater post-operative mortality or morbidity than other patients who receive this surgery, according to the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Advanced liver disease is … Continue reading

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