Discrimination, Abuse, and Harassment in Medical Training

Posted on by

A recent study (Y-Y Hu et al. NEJM 2019; 381: 1741-52) reported high rates of discrimination, abuse, and harassment based on a cross-sectional survey of general surgical residents (n=7409) in 2018.

Key findings:

  • 31.9% reported gender discrimination and 16.6% reported racial discrimination–with main source being patients/families
  • 30.3% reported verbal or physical abuse and 10.3% reported sexual harassment -with attending surgeons being the most frequent sources
  • Residents who experienced discrimination, abuse or harassment were more likely to have symptoms of burnout (OR 2.94) and suicidal thoughts (OR 3.07).  Overall, weekly burnout symptoms were noted in 38.5% of residents and 4.5% reported suicidal thoughts in previous year

The authors note that there were substantial numbers of programs with very low rates of mistreatment which indicates that improvement in training environment is feasible.

My take: This is a black eye for the entire healthcare field.  It is important to address these pervasive problems and to determine the rate of these issues in other areas of medicine.

Botanical Gardens, Chicago

Using Less Steroids for Autoimmune Hepatitis

Posted on by

A recent retrospective study (S Pape et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17: 2068-75) with 451 adults (1978-2017) examined outcomes among patients based on steroid dosing.

A high-dose group (n=281) with initial prednisone/prednisolone dose of ≥0.5 mg/kg/day was compared with a low dose group (n=170) <0.5 mg/kg/day.  The low dose group had higher rates of cirrhosis (25.9% vs. 15.3%) but lower median ALT values (7.1 ULN vs. 13.4 ULN) and lower median bilirubin values (48 vs 29 micromol/L).

Key findings:

  • There was no difference in rates of transaminase normalization at 1 year: 76.2% vs 77.6%
  • Transaminase normalization was lower in patients with cirrhosis 58.1% compared to 70.7% with cirrhosis
  • Most patients were receiving low-dose steroids at 6 months, 87.4% in high-dose group compared to 83.5% in low-dose group
  • Cumulative steroid dose was lower in low-dose group, with median of 2573 mg over 6 months compared to 3780 mg

Though, not studied in this report, AASLD has recommended use of immunoglobulin levels may help with immunosuppression titration. The editorial (pg 1948-49) notes that budesonide is another alternative for AIH without cirrhosis, though “long-term outcomes including histologic remission and appropriate tapering strategy for budesonide are currently lacking.”

My take: Particularly in patients without severe inflammation, lower steroid doses can be considered for autoimmune hepatitis.

Related blog posts:

Atlanta Botanical Garden

China Is Catching and Passing U.S. with NAFLD Plus Updates

Posted on by

F Zhou et al. Hepatology 2019; 70: 1119-33. The authors performed a systematic review (n=392 studies, more than 2 million subjects) and found that NAFLD in China increased from 25.4% in 2008-2010 to 32.3% in 2015-2018. The pooled prevalence across all studies was 29.2%. The associated editorial speculates that some of this increase is related to diet changes as well as PNPLA3 gene.  This allele “is more common among East Asians than Caucasians”  It is lower in African Americans in the U.S. which helps explain why this population is at reduced risk.

JB Schwimmer, JS Johnson et al Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 1109-22.  In this prospective study with 87 children (89% Hispanic), the authors associated fecal microbiomes with NAFLD and NASH.  Both NAFLD and NASH were associated with intestinal dysbiosis with lower diversity and high abundance of Prevotella copri. Full text link: Microbiome Signatures Associated With Steatohepatitis and Moderate to Severe Fibrosis in Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

S Pelusi et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17: 2310-9.  This study analyzed data from 1738 subjects (45% with severe obesity) who had undergone liver biopsy.  132 of 389 (33.9%) with significant fibrosis did NOT have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 39 patients (10%) had no inflammation. NASH diagnosis required steatosis (≥5% of hepatocytes), hepatocellular ballooning, and lobular inflammation. Factors associated with significant fibrosis in the absence of NASH, included fasting hyperglycemia, severe steatosis, mild inflammation or ballooning, and PNPLA3 1148M variant.  My take: this study shows that the finding of NASH on liver biopsy is NOT required for the development of severe liver disease related to NAFLD.

D Linden et al. Molecular Metabolism 2019; 22: 49-61. This study, summarized in Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 1156-9) showed that PNPLA3 silencing with antisense oligonucleotides ameliorates NASH in PNPLA3 1148M knock-in mice.  The summary notes that the mutated 1148 M PNPLA3 protein variant accumulates on lipid droplets altering clearance and affecting triglycerides and phospholipid turnover.

Genetic Risk for Failing Infliximab

Posted on by

A recent study (A Wilson et al. AP&T 2019; https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15563) noted that a HLADQA1*05A>G genotype predicts a high risk of developing anti-drug antibodies in patients receiving infliximab.

Here’s a link to the full article:  HLADQA1*05 genotype predicts anti‐drug antibody formation and loss of response during infliximab therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Here’s the abstract (my highlights in bold):

Background

Anti‐drug antibodies (ADAs) are a leading contributor to infliximab loss of response and adverse drug events. It is not feasible to identify patients at risk of antibody formation before initiating infliximab. The genetic variation HLADQA1*05 (rs2097432) has been linked to infliximab antibody formation in Crohn’s disease (CD).

Aims

To evaluate the association between HLADQA1*05 and infliximab antibody formation, infliximab loss of response, treatment discontinuation and adverse drug events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, infliximab‐exposed patients with IBD (n = 262) were screened for the genetic variation, HLADQA1*05A>G (rs2097432). Risk of infliximab ADA formation, infliximab loss of response, adverse events and discontinuation were assessed in wild‐type (GG) and variant‐carrying (AG or AA) individuals.

Results

Forty per cent of all participants were HLADQA1*05A>G variant carriers, with 79% of participants with infliximab antibodies carrying at least one variant allele. The risk of infliximab antibody formation was higher in HLADQA1*05A>G variant carriers (adjusted HR = 7.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.97‐17.191, P = 1.46 × 10−5) independent of age, sex, weight, dose and co‐immunosuppression with an immunomodulator. Variant carrier status was associated with an increased risk of infliximab loss of response (adjusted HR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.41‐3.88, P = .001) and discontinuation (adjusted HR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.46‐3.43, P = 2.53 × 10−4) although not with infliximab‐associated adverse drug events.

Conclusions

HLADQA1*05 is independently associated with a high risk of infliximab antibody formation in addition to infliximab loss of response and treatment discontinuation. There may be a role for genotype‐guided application of combination therapy in IBD.

Related blog posts:

Need Liver, Will Travel (2019)

Posted on by

A recent study (AJ Kwong et al Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17: 2347-55) quantifies the potential advantage of moving to receive a liver transplant. This had been discussed in 2016 blog post as well (Need Liver, Will Travel)

During the study period (2004-2016), there were 104,914 waitlist registrations.

Key findings:

  • 60.985 patients received a liver transplant during the study period
  • 2930  (2.8%) pursued listing at a distant center
  • Distant listing was associated with a 22% reductinon in the risk of death within 1 year

My take: this study highlights socioeconomic disparity in acquiring a liver transplant along with potential geographic disparities.

Related article:

“Transplantation Traffic –Geography as Destiny for Transplant Candidates” NEJM 2014; 271: 2450-52.  Describes ongoing geographic inequality in organ distribution and obstacles to improving allocation.

Related blog posts:

Botanical Garden,, Chicago

Grading Treatment Response in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Posted on by

Full Text Link: A Conceptual Approach to Understanding Treatment Response in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Also, related articles:

  1. D Bushyhead et al. Gastroenterology 2019; 157: 944-5. This practical teaching case report noted that oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been shown to trigger new onset EoE in 2.7% (AJ Lucendo et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014; 113: 624-9).
  2. R Alexander et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17: 2371-3. This study compared eating behaviors of adults with active EoE (n=10), inactive EoE (n=10) and control patients (n=10).  Not surprisingly, those with active EoE took longer to eat (18.3 min compared to 12.4 min, and 13.0 min respectively) and had more drinks after a single bite (11.6 compared with 5.1 and 2.5 respectively)

Related blog posts:

IBD Updates November 2019

Posted on by

M Lowenberg et al. Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 997-1006. This LOVE-CD study, a prospective study with 110 patients with active Crohn’s disease, found that treatment with vedolizumab resulted in 29% and 31% corticosteroid-free clinical remission at weeks 26 and 52 respectively (CDAI <150).  Endoscopic remission, based on intent-to-treat analysis, was 33% and 36% at weeks 26 and 52.  Serum vedolizumab levels above 10 mg/L at week 22 were associated with endoscopic remission at week 26.

S Danese et al. Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 1007-18.  This VERSIFY trial, a phase 3b, open-label, single-group study of 101 patients with Crohn’s disease, found that treatment with vedolizumab resulted in 11.9% and 17.9%  endoscopic remission at week 26 and 52 respectively. Remission by MRE was 21.9% and 38.1% at those respective time points. No notable safety issues were reported.

N Khan et al. Clin Gastroenterol 2019; 17: 2262-8. Using a retrospective cohort of 54,919 patients with IBD followed by the VA System (2000-2018), the authors identified 467 patients with incident squamous cell cancer (SCC); median age ~70 years.  11 patients with SCC died from related-complications.  In this group, 8 had been exposed to thiopurines.   Thus, exposure to thiopurines increased mortality related to SCC compared to those exposed to mesalamine therapy, though the absolute risk among the entire cohort was less than 1 in 5000.  My take: Long-term use of thiopurines should be paired with dermatology evaluation and good skin care.

Pics from Mechandise Mart Light Show, Chicago

Waiting for the String Test for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Posted on by

A recent study (SJ Ackerman et al. American Journal of Gastroenterology: October 2019 – Volume 114 – Issue 10 – p 1614–1625) provides additional data supporting the ‘string’ test to determine whether eosinophilic esophagitis is active or inactive.  Thanks to Ben Gold for sharing this reference.

My take: The string test could be a useful test for monitoring response to treatment, especially if it could garner insurance coverage. When/if will it ever become available clinically? (prior publication as early as 2012: String test for EoE)

Here’s the link to the full-text open-access article: One-Hour Esophageal String Test: A Nonendoscopic Minimally Invasive Test That Accurately Detects Disease Activity in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic food allergic disease, lacks sensitive and specific peripheral biomarkers. We hypothesized that levels of EoE-related biomarkers captured using a 1-hour minimally invasive Esophageal String Test (EST) would correlate with mucosal eosinophil counts and tissue concentrations of these same biomarkers. We aimed to determine whether a 1-hour EST accurately
distinguishes active from inactive EoE or a normal esophagus.

METHODS: In a prospective, multisite study, children and adults (ages 7–55 years) undergoing a clinically indicated esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed an EST with an esophageal dwell time of 1 hour. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: active EoE, inactive EoE, and normal esophageal mucosa. Eosinophil-associated protein levels were compared between EST effluents and esophageal biopsy extracts. Statistical modeling was performed to select biomarkers that best correlated with and
predicted eosinophilic inflammation.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four subjects (74 children, 60 adults) with active EoE (n 5 62), inactive EoE (n 5 37), and patient controls with a normal esophagus (n 5 35) completed the study. EST-captured eosinophil-associated biomarkers correlated significantly with peak eosinophils/high-power field, endoscopic visual scoring, and the same proteins extracted from mucosal biopsies. Statistical modeling, using combined eotaxin-3 and major basic protein-1 concentrations, led to the development of EoE scores that distinguished subjects with active EoE from inactive EoE or normal esophagi. Eightyseven percent of children, 95% of parents, and 92% of adults preferred the EST over endoscopy if it provided similar information.

DISCUSSION: The 1-hour EST accurately distinguishes active from inactive EoE in children and adults and may facilitate monitoring of disease activity in a safe and minimally invasive fashion.

First Floor of Hancock Building, Chicago

Precision Prediction of Biliary Atresia Survival

Posted on by

Though young age at the time of Kasai and surgical experience have been identified as factors in the long-term outcome of patients with biliary atresia (BA), why is it that some with timely intervention still fail to respond?  Conceptually, I’ve considered those who had progressive disease as probably having an intrahepatic component of their biliary disease that a Kasai operation cannot help.

New research (Z Luo, P Shivakumar, R Mourya, S Gutta, JA Bezerra. Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 1138-52) identifies genetic factors that are likely a more powerful predictor of Kasai response then the traditional clinical factors.

The science in this study is fascinating –combining genetic heat maps, and survival curves.  The prediction with a 14-gene signature is amplified with serum total bilirubin at 3 months post-Kasai.  In addition, these studies are combined with a mouse model treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC).  Histologic changes were then assessed.

Key findings:

  • The 14-gene mRNA expression pattern predicted shorter and longer survival times in both the discovery (n=121) and validation sets (n=50) of children with BA (see figure below: red curve vs blue curve)
  • When this 14-gene expression pattern was paired with total bilirubin level 3 months after Kasai, this identified children who survived with their native liver at 24 months with an area under the curve of 0.948 in the discovery set and 0.813 in the validation set (P<.001).
  • In those with transplant-free survival, many of the mRNAs expressed had increased scores for glutathione metabolism.  Subsequently, mice with BA were treated with NAC (which promotes glutathione metabolism) & had reduced bile duct obstruction, liver fibrosis, and increased survival times.
  • In children with lower survival rates, there was increased mRNA expression of proteins encoding fibrosis genes in the liver tissues.

My take: This 14-gene signature has the potential to change our approach to children with BA.  Also, when evaluating surgical success rate, these underlying genetic factors will need to be incorporated.

Image available online

Related blog posts:

#NASPGHAN19 Annual Meeting -Plenary Session

Posted on by

Here are some notes and a few slides from NASPGHAN’s plenary session.  There could be errors of transcription in my notes.

Benjamin Gold, NASPGHAN president and part of our GI group, GI Care For Kids, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Link to NASPGHAN_Annual_Meeting_Program 2019

The first speaker, Jack Gilbert, gave the William F Balistreri lecture.  Dr. Gilbert has written a book on the topic of our ‘magnificent microbiome,’ Dirt is Good.  Here are a few slides:

Related study (not discussed in the talk): A recent study (R Vasapolli et al. Gastroenterology 2019; 157: 1081-91) provided data from 21 healthy adults. Using biopsies from panendoscopy and saliva/fecal samples, the authors found that the fecal microbiome is not representative of the mucosal microbiome.  In addition, each GI region had a different bacterial community.

Christopher Forrest gave the keynote lecture on pediatric learning health systems. By collating data from large pediatric health systems, the researchers can determine more quickly how effective treatments are in all pediatric specialties.

Melvin Heyman, editor of JPGN, provided a good year in review. I only capture a few images.