Most Popular Posts 2011-2018

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Since this blog’s inception, there are now more than 2500 posts; these are the most popular (most views):

Most of these posts are referenced in more recent posts on the same or similar subjects.

Near Banff

 

PEG-B-ACTIVE Study: Efficacy of Peginterferon for Children with Hep B

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A recent randomized controlled, open-label study (S Wirth et al. Hepatology 2018; 68: 1681-94) examined the use of weekly peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG) in 161 children (3-18 yrs) with immune-active HBe-Ag-positive children.  The two main groups were for those without advanced fibrosis: a PEG group (n=101) and a placebo group (n=50).  A third group enrolled 10 patients with advanced fibrosis who all received PEG. The treatment period was 48 weeks with ongoing observation for an additional 24 weeks.

Key findings:

  • The PEG group had HBeAg seroconversion of  8% at 48 weeks and 26% at 72 weeks; the placebo group had HBeAg seroconversion of 6% at both timepoints. At 72 weeks, the odds ratio was 5.43 for the PEG group and P=0.0043.
  • HBsAg clearance rates were higher in the PEG group: 8.9% vs 0% in placebo group.
  • The authors showed response (loss of HBeAg) by age and those <5 years had the highest response 43% (6 of 14).  The rate of seroconversion was 30.2% in those <12 years compared with 20.8% in those ≥12 years.
  • The authors showed response (loss of HBeAg) those with ALT values between 2-<5 had the highest response of 35% (15 of 43).
  • Adverse events were frequent –among the 101 treated patients: 49 with pyrexia, 30 with headache, 19 with abdominal pain, 15 with influenza-like illness, 14 with vomiting, 61 with ALT >5 x ULN, 25 with ALT >10 x ULN, 19 with neutropenia (ANC <750), and two with self-limited increased thyroid-stimulating hormone. These were all much higher than in the placebo group

My take: This study does not answer the question about which treatment is optimal for hepatitis B in children–direct-acting antivirals (eg. entecavir, and tenofovir) or peginterferon.  It does shows that weekly peginterferon alfa-2a was associated with HBeAg seroconversion in 26% of recipients at week 72.  Although a high number of patients experienced adverse effects, there were no new safety signals identified.

Related blog posts:

View from Parker Ridge, near Banff

Most Popular GutsandGrowth Posts from Past Year

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These five posts were the most popular (most views) in the past year:

This is a bike path from Canmore to Banff. I had a chance to ride an electric bike which was a lot of fun.

Cirrhosis and Cardiac Function

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Briefly noted: M Izzy, J Oh, KD Watt. Hepatology 2018; 68: 2008-2015.  This concise review discusses the outcome of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation.

Key point: “Although it is often believed that cirrhotic cardiomyopathy resolves post-LT, the data, albeit limited, do not support this postulation…diastolic function may not improve post-transplant and may actually worsen. Improvement in systolic function was suggested by only two of six studies.”

Related blog post: Cholecardia

This figure from Hepatology November cover depicts a cirrhotic liver restricting the heart filling during diastole. (From Wiley Online Library -free access)

Which Diet is Best For a Fatty Liver?

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A recent randomized controlled trial (C Properzi et al. Hepatology 2018; 68: 1741-54) compare the Mediterranean diet (MD) and a low-fat (LF) diet for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

A total of 48 patients completed the 12-week study and were analyzed; subjects had a mean BMI of 31.  Both groups consumed a 2400-2600 kcal diet.

Key findings:

  • Despite minimal weight loss, both groups had significant reduction in hepatic steatosis as determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): 25.0% in LF and 32.4% in MD.  Both had wide confidence intervals due to the small number of subjects.
  • Liver enzyme improved in both groups.
  • Weight loss was minimal, 1.6 kg and 2.1 kg in LF and MD respectively
  • Framingham Risk Score (FRS), cholesterol, triglycerides, and hemoglobin A1c were improved with MD but not with LF (all P<0.05)

The associated editorial (pg 1668-71) notes the following:

  • “Considering the current evidence, recommending the MD for patients with NAFLD might be an appropriate therapeutic option, not least because …[of the} increased risk of CVD.”
  • Longer-term RCTs are needed
  • “It has to be stressed that, in most cases, any form of healthy diet (eg. LF or MD), which leads to caloric reduction…should be encourage for patients with NAFLD…The importance of weight loss has been highlighted in patients with biopsy-proven NASH.”

My take: If you have to make a dietary recommendation, this study indicates that MD is probably a better diet than LF in patients with NAFLD.

Related blog posts:

Town of Banff

 

 

How Important Are Proton Pump Inhibitors for Intensive Care Patients?

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A recent randomized, blinded study (M Krag et al. NEJM 2018; 379: 2199-2208, editorial 2263-4) describes the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in adults (n=3298) in the ICU at high risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. High risk features included liver disease, coagulopathy, shock, anticoagulant therapy, renal replacement treatment, and mechanical ventilation.

Key findings:

  • Stress-ulcer bleeding may be less prevalent than in the past, perhaps due to improved ICU care. GI bleeding occurred in 4.2% of placebo-treated patients compared to 2.5% of pantoprazole-treated patients
  • Overall outcomes were essentially identical. At 90 days, 510 patients (31.1%) in the pantoprazole group and 49 (30.4%) in the placebo group had died (RR 1.02).
  • Using a composite event score to weight potential good and adverse effects (eg C diff infection, myocardial infarction, bleeding, pneumonia) of PPI therapy, the authors found that this occurred in 21.9% of pantoprazole group compared with 22.6% of placebo group (22.6%).

Reduction in GI bleeding could be related in part to the more frequent use of enteral feedings.  And, the combination of enteral feeding with the use of PPI treatment may increase the risk of pneumonia.

In the associated commentary, the authors note that “prophylaxis with a PPI, if initiated, should be reserved for seriously ill patients who are at high risk for this complication.” They acknowledge a lack of a uniform definition of high risk and the “admittedly small (1.7%) difference in bleeding rates.”

 

Rolling Back School Lunch Standards

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NY Times: Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Rules for School Lunches

An excerpt for 12/8/18:

This week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its final plans to lower nutrition standards for grains, flavored milks and sodium in school cafeterias that were part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 …

The Obama-era rules required that schools must serve entirely “whole grain-rich” foods, meaning that the product — whether it is pizza, pasta or hamburger buns — must contain at least 50 percent whole grains…Under the new rules, only half of the grain products on the cafeteria’s weekly menu must be whole grain-rich….

It was unclear why the Trump administration would backtrack when schools were in good standing with the nutritional goals… more than 99 percent of schools in the country reported that they were meeting the Obama-era standards…

“It seems like a small thing,” she said. “But the behavioral research shows you have to offer nutritious food to kids over and over and be consistent.”

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Overdiagnosis of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy in Infants and Formula Industry Influence

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From BMJ: -Link: Overdiagnosis and industry influence: how cow’s milk protein allergy is extending the reach of infant formula manufacturer

This article provides a detailed discussion of this topic. Two key points:

  • Because the diagnosis of non-IgE mediated cow’s milk protein allergy is based mainly on a formula trial/reintroduction, it is susceptible to overdiagnosis
  • Expert guidelines have been authored mainly by those with conflicts of interest

An excerpt:

Clinicians and patients who spoke to The BMJ are concerned at the wide availability of industry funded online information promoting non-specific symptoms potentially indicating cow’s milk allergy as a diagnosis in exclusively breastfed infants. Although there is evidence that cow’s milk and other food proteins can be transferred from mother to infant in breastmilk, the quantities transferred are likely to be too small to cause symptoms in most infants.

 

Bilary Atresia Prognosis After 2-Year Survival with Native Liver

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A recent study (M Witt et al. JPGN 2018; 689-94) indicates that among patients with biliary atresia who reached 2 years of life with native liver survival (NLS), they continued to be at risk for progressive liver failure.

Key findings:

  • Upon a median follow-up of 16.4 years, NLS rates at 5, 10, 15, 18 years of age were 89%, 72%, 60%, 54%, respectively.
  • Corresponding overall survival rates were 98%, 90%, 87%, 87%, respectively
  • NLS ended in 37% by liver transplantation (LTx) and in 6% by (pre-transplant) mortality.
  • Abstract Link: Prognosis of Biliary Atresia After 2-year Survival With Native Liver

My take: This data provides more precise information for families about prognosis and reinforces the need for careful followup.

Related blog posts:

Parker Ridge, near Banff

 

 

Suicide Rate Up 33% in Last 20 Years & Can We Stop It?

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A recent article in USAToday highlights the increasing problem of suicides in U.S.:Suicide rate up 33% in less than 20 years, yet funding lags behind other top killers

Also, at the bottom of this post is more information on the topic of whether we can stop suicide from happening.

An excerpt from USAToday:

“More than 47,000 Americans killed themselves in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … contributing to an overall decline in U.S. life expectancy. Since 1999, the suicide rate has climbed 33 percent. 

Americans are more than twice as likely to die by their own hands, of their own will, than by someone else’s. But while homicides spark vigils and protests, entering into headlines, presidential speeches and police budgets, suicides don’t. Still shrouded in stigma, many suicides go unacknowledged save for the celebrities – Robin Williams, Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain – punctuating the unrelenting rise in suicide deaths with a brief public outcry. 

And research suggests our ways of living may be partly to blame, in ways that don’t bode well for the future.

Alcohol and substance abuse are risk factors, and both are increasing. Isolation raises the risk, and nearly half of Americans say they sometimes or always feel alone. Increasing smartphone use has been linked to suicidal thoughts in teens. Even climate change has been found to have roughly the same effect on increasing suicides as an economic recession.”

A related commentary from the NY Times: Can We Stop Suicides? details the reasons for suicides and discusses the potential of ketamine as a treatment for depression/suicidality.