Tag Archives: ursodeoxycholic acid

Outcomes of Biliary Atresia

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A retrospective study from the Netherlands showed that timely surgery and postoperative antibiotics were associated with better outcomes in Biliary Atresia (BA) (J Pediatr 2012; 160: 638-44).  While these results are not surprising, due to the length of the study period (1987-2008) and the number of patients (n=214), the study offers insight into a number of unresolved issues with regard to BA.

The type of BA in this series:

  • type I      14  (6.5%)
  • type II      27 (12.6%)
  • type III   172 (80.4%)
  • undetermined  1 (0.9%)

Other notable findings:

  • 10% of their patients had splenic malformations; no significant change in outcome was noted in this subgroup.
  • 18% received high-dose corticosteroids –no benefit was identified in this subgroup.  The authors state that previous studies are inconclusive; a large US trial of prednisolone (4 mg/kg/day initially) is pending.
  • 31% received ursodeoxycholic acid –no benefit was identified in this subgroup.
  • Overall survival improved a little during the study period, mostly due to increased availability of liver transplantation. 4-year transplant-free survival was 46% and 4-year overall survival was 73%.   Table II (pg 641) in their study lists six other international studies.  Recent studies in some countries have reported 4-year survivals of 82-91%.
  • Antibiotic usage (most commonly co-trimoxazole) was associated with improved outcomes, presumably due to less frequent bouts of cholangitis.  Yet, in this study the reported incidence of cholangitis was not lower.  The authors do not have an explanation for this finding.

Age at time of Kasai:

  • ≤45 days 19%
  • 46-60 days 37%
  • 61-89 days 36%
  • ≥90 days 8%
  • Median was 59 days.  Authors note that Netherland guidelines call for all infants with jaundice at 3 weeks to have a fractionated bilirubin.

Related blog entries:

Minimizing malnutrition in Biliary Atresia

The heart connection

MicroRNAs and biliary atresia

Additional references:

  • -JPGN 2010; 51: 631.  n=91.  Operation w/in 100 days.  Data suggesting that 60 day cutoff is not valid. (Hong Kong)
  • -J Pediatr Surg 2003; 38: 997-1000. n=735.  90 day cutoff was key with 5-yr & 10-yr survival. (Japan)
  • -JPGN 2010; 51:61.  Canadian experience. n=230.  Center size did not affect outcome.  Overall 39% at 4yrs had survival with native liver.
  • -Liver transplantation 2009; 15: 829, 876.  With combo of Kasai & Tx, >95% exteneded survival (previously 100% fatal).  >80% will need a liver Tx at some point –~50% before age 2.  Increased fibrosis & genes for fibrosis may increase risk for poor outcome.
  • -JPGN 2009; 48: 72.  Review of 13 year experience. n=91.
  • -Pediatrics 2008; 121: e1438.  Single center (Australia?) noted longer delay in dx of BA over 15-year period from 48.5 days (1990-94) to 59.5 (95-99) to 69 days (2000-2004).
  • -JPGN 2008; 46: 238, 299.  More data on age of dx of BA and outcomes from Sweden.
  • -J Pediatr 2006; 149: 393.  Long term outcome of BA -28yrs in England.  7/56 survived long term with native liver; 5-yr native liver survival was 46%, 10-yr was 32%.
  • -J Pediatr 2006; 148: 467, 432..  Outcome of BA in US.  Avg age of referral was 53 days and HPE avg at 61 days.  one-third will survive to age 10 with native liver; overall 90% survival with kasai/hpe & Tx; 50-60% clear jaundice p Kasai.  yellow alert campaign: www.childliverdisease.org/jaundice
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2006; 1411.  BA with choledochal cyst. Nice pics of types of BA. Japanese pathologic classification:  Type 1 with atresia after gallbladder (CBD), type II atresia of common hepatic duct/CBD/GB  c normal intrahepatic ducts, Type III atresia of entire ductal system.
  • -Pediartics 2006; 117: 1147.  Usefulness of stool color cards for screening program.
  • -J Pediatr 2005; 147: 142 & 180-5.  23% c BA survive c native liver for more than 20 yrs; 88% survival for 3 yrs p-OLT; risk factors for poor outcome discussed including poor nutrition & age <5 months.
  • -J Pediatr 2004; 144: 123-5.  severity of fibrosis at time of Kasai inversely correlated with survival
  • -JPGN 2003; 37: 430-33.  Residual fibrosis/cirrhosis noted in 54%/40% respectively of pts with normal labs, median age 13 yrs.
  • -JPGN 2003; 37: 4-21. Review of BA

Challenges with primary sclerosing cholangitis

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Although primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an infrequent liver problem in pediatrics, it remains important.  PSC accounts for 2-3% of pediatric liver transplant cases.  A recent report updates some of the challenges for pediatric hepatologists (Shneider BL. Liver Transplantation 2012: 18: 277-81).

First the article examines some of the salient differences between children and adults.  The approach in adults may not apply well to children.  Some inherited diseases and immunologic defects may produce a similar clinical picture.   Specific differences include the following:

  • Defects in the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette B4 (ABCB4 gene) (multidrug resistance protein 3) may cause a number of small-duct PSC in children
  • Cystic fibrosis can have a similar appearance
  • Overlap syndrome with autoimmune hepatitis is more common in children
  • Children with PSC often have higher alanine aminotransferase enzyme values than adults
  • Cholangiocarcinoma is rare in childhood, with 17 being the youngest reported case

Diagnosis usually requires, in addition to blood tests, cholangiography (eg MRCP), liver biopsy or both.  ERCP may not be needed depending on MRCP results.

Management: Pruritus may be managed with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), bile acid binding resins, and rifampin.  Bone disease needs to be monitored along with fat soluble vitamin status.

  • While pruritus may improve with UDCA, high-dose UDCA (28-30mg/kg/day) has been associated with increased likelihood of negative endpoints.  It is not clear whether there may be detrimental effects at lower doses.
  • What about immunosuppression?  This (corticosteroids/thiopurines) is accepted in cases with AIH overlap.  Of course, what constitutes overlap is not certain.  So, in many cases, a trial of corticosteroids is considered.
  • Antibiotics?  Oral vancomycin has been tried in a small number with preliminary success.

As noted above, liver transplantation is a needed treatment in some cases. One concern with this approach has been recurrent PSC in about 10% at an average of 18 months after liver transplantation.

Additional references:

  • -Am J Gastro 2011; 106: 1638.  Use of high dose Urso increases risk of colonic neoplasia. n=150.
  • -Hepatology 2011; 54: 1842.  Guidelines on surveillance for PSC.  IF IBD yearly scope.  **Yearly U/S + CA 19-9 or yearly MRI.
  • -Liver Transplantation 201; 17: 925-933.  n=79 pediatric pts.  49% w IBD prior to OLT (46% w UC, 3%) & 9.8% developed IBD p OLT.  1 & 5yr survival for OLT 99% & 87%.  Recurrence in 9.8%.
  • -Clin Gastro & Hepatology 2011; 9: 434.  37% of PSC pts with CA 19-9 >129U/mL do NOT have cholangiocarcinoma.  n=7.
  • -Hepatology 2010; 51: 660-678.  update on dx/mgt.
  • -Gastroenterology 2010; 138: 1102.  genome associations with PSC.
  • -Hepatology 2009; 50: 808, 671 (ed).  Use of urso ~30/kg associated w WORSE outcome @5yrs. n=76 (& 74 controls)
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2009; 7:239. n=47 children w PSC.  59% w IBD, 25% w overlap syndrome
  • -JPGN 2008; 47: 61.  Use of oral vancomycin, 50mg/kg/day in patients with PSC/IBD was effective. n=14.
  • -Liver Tx 2008; 14: 735.  Review.  5 yr OLT survival 85%  ReTx rate higher (9.6% vs 4.9%).
  • -Hepatology 2008; 47: 9494-57.  Asymptomatic PSC common in AIH –might be higher than 10%.
  • -Gastroenterology 2008; 134: 975.  Natural hx/o small duct PSC in 83 pts (compared to controls).  Not likely increase in cholangiocarcinoma unless also large duct involvement.
  • -Gastroenterology 2008; 134: 706.  IAC is similar; IAC=IGG4 Associated Cholangitis
  • -Hepatology 2008; 47: 949.  8/79 w AIH also had PSC.
  • -J Pediatr 2007; 151: 255, 230.  association of CFTR mutations in PSC (26%); also present in disease control group with IBD (43%).
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2007; 5: 32.  Review vis-a-vis possible cholangiocarcinoma.
  • -Hepatology 2006; 44: 1063.  Review along w secondary causes.
  • -Liver Transplantation 2006; 12: 1813.  Recurrence post Tx 22% AIH, 18% PBC, 11% PSC.  (Review of 43 studies).
  • -Gastroenterology 2005; 129:1464.  High-dose actigall ineffective in 5 yr randomized controlled study.
  • -Gastroenterology 2003; 125: 1364.  Incidence of PSC.
  • -JPGN 2003; 37: 345 (57A). Use of vanco 50/kg/day x 4-6weeks in PSC, n=10, (56A) some pts c normal cholangiograms.
  • -Gastroenterology 2003; 124: 889. Urso prevents colon ca.
  • -Am J Gastro 2001; 96: 1558-62.  High dose UDCA, 25-30/kg/day may help long-term outlook
  • -JPGN 2001; 33:296. PSC-IBD.
  • -NEJM 2002; 346: 271-277.  case c Crohn’s.  PSC assoc c UC, celiac dz, pancreatic insufficiency.
  • -Ann Intern Med 2001; 134: 89-95.  Urso decreases colonic neoplasia in pts c UC & PSC.
    -NEJM 1997; 336: 691. Ursodeoxycolic acid & PSC.
  • -Gregorio et al. Autoimmune hepatitis/sclerosing cholangitis overlap syndrome in childhood: a 16-year prospective study. Hepatology 2001;33:544-553

NASPGHAN 2010 Pointers:
I. -“STOPSC criteria”: 2 of 3 diagnostic criteria needed:
1) elev GGT or alk phos
2) intra and/or extrahepatic bile duct irregularities on cholangiography (i.e. PTC, MRCP, ERCP) c/w PSC
3) liver biopsy abnormalities c/w chronic biliary injury

AND no evidence of a secondary cause of sclerosing cholangitis

 

II. SUMMARY OF KEY CLINICAL FEATURES:

 

  • -Sclerosing cholangitis  is associated with IBD, autoimmune and connective tissue disorders, abnormalities of immune function (i.e. immunodeficiencies, GvHD), infiltrative disorders (i.e. Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphoma).
  • -PSC may sometimes affect only small intrahepatic bile duct (“small duct PSC”), which may have a better outcome based on adult studies
  • -PSC may have overlapping features of AIH  (“autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis”)
  • -IgG4 –associated cholangitis: patients appear to have PSC with elev IgG4.  They seem to respond very well to steroid therapy in adult studies
  • -No therapy of proven benefit for PSC (ursodiol, antibiotics), some case series have suggested antibiotics may help PSC
  • -5 times higher rate of Colorectal Ca when UC pt has PSC.  Consider yearly endoscopy

 

A liver disease tsunami

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The extent and consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are far-reaching and like a tsunami will be quite destructive (Gastroenterology 2011; 141: 1249.)  In this article, the epidemilogy of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is discussed.  NAFLD was  the 3rd most common cause of liver transplantation in this cohort (n=35781).  It is projected to be the #1 reason for liver transplantation by 2025.  Although the outcomes in NAFLD are similar to other liver transplant patients, it is difficult to imagine that so many patients will need such an aggressive treatment approach.

Another recent article, discusses the correlation of vitamin E, uric acid, and diet composition with histology in NAFLD (JPGN 2012; 54: 90-96).  This study involved 149 patients.  The study demonstrates that in these patients, their diet is insufficient in Vitamin E intake. Also, although reported sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was low, uric acid which often reflects total fructose consumption was associated with NASH histology.  As noted in the references below, concerns about low antioxidants, especially Vitamin E, as well as sugary beverages has been an ongoing concern for NAFLD for at least a decade.

For pediatric gastroenterologists/hepatologists, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common but remains difficult to treat; the best treatment is weight loss.  A recent educational pamphlet was published by the NASPGHAN Foundation (http://www.gastrokids.org/files/documents/digestive%20topics/english/NASPGHAN%20Fatty%20Liver%20Fact%20Sheet%2011.2011%20(1).pdf).  The advice for families is the following:

• Avoid sugar drinks

• Drink mostly water and some low fat milk

• Get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day

• Limit TV and screen time to one hour or less per day

• Make half your plate vegetables at mealtimes

• Eat breakfast everyday

Other things that can harm the liver should be avoided, like drinking alcoholic beverages.  Studies in teens with NAFLD have shown some benefit from the natural form of Vitamin E.

Although this advice applies to patients with NAFLD, it sounds like good advice for everyone.

Additional References:

  • -Hepatology 2011; 54: 1082.  U/S w ~85% sensitivity in detecting fatty liver.
  • -JPGN 2011; 52: 740.  n=20.  Some improvement in LFTs with culturelle
  • -Gastroenterology 2011; 140: 124.  High prevalence in middle aged US cohort: 46% NAFLD, 12% NASH. n=400.
  • -Hepatology 2010; 52: 472.  High dose ursodeoxycholic acid ineffective for NASH in double blind randomized trial. n=185.
  • -Hepatology 2010; 52: 79.  Meta analysis of trials for NAFLD.  No effective Rx at this point.  Thiazolidinediones helped with steatosis/inflammation but caused wt gain.  L-carnitine helped histology in 1 trial.
  • -Hepatology 2010; 51: 1961, 1972. 1– increased fructose assoc with increased fibrosis in NAFLD. 2–increased HCC risk.  Alcohol intake is addt’l risk factor along with NAFLD.  2.6% of NASH pts with HCC (compared w 4% of similar HCV pts).
  • -NEJM 2010; 362: 1675.  n=247.  Vitamin E 800 IU/day helpful.  Pioglitazone not helpful.
  • -Gastroenterology 2010; 138: 905.  Iron overload, but not HFE mutations, associated with more severe NASH
  • -J Hepatol 2009; 51: 918-24.  Soft drinks assoc with fatty liver independent of metabolic syndrome.
  • -Hepatology 2009; 50: 1818.  Lack of benefit from Betaine.
  • -J Pediatr 2009; 155: 469.  Review.  No evidence-based guidelines for treating in pediatrics –main Rx wt loss/exercise.  Consider obtaining ultrasound evidence.
  • -J Hepatology 2009; 51: 371.  risk factors for fibrosis progression.
  • -Hepatology 2009; 50: 68.  Activity helps NAFLD independent of activity level.
  • -JPGN 2009; 48: 587. review of meds.
  • -Gastroenterology 2008; 135: 1961.  Liver biopsy (in pediatrics) still needed as surrogates not accurate for correlating degree of fibrosis/injury.
  • -Gastroenterology 1999; 116: 1413.  spectrum of pathology in NASH.  Bx correlated with outcome
  • -Gastroenterology 1988; 95: 1056.  Sentinel article on NASH ‘alcohol-like liver disease in non-alcoholics’
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2008; 6: 1396.  Bariatric surgery appears to improve or resolve NASH. n=15 studies with 766 paired liver biopsies.
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2008; 6: 1249.  Cytokeratin 18 levels associated with NASH in at risk patients (bariatric patients). n=99.
  • -Hepatology 2008; 48: 792-98. NASH increased with age and with presence of DM.  Severe fibrosis assoc with ferritin, ALT, and DM.
  • -Gastroenterology 2008; 135: 1176.  n=74.  Use of pioglitazone for NASH was helpful in adult patients.
  • -Hepatology 2008; 48: 119.  Antioxidants Vit C (500mg)/Vit E (600IU) c lifestyle changes was NOT better than lifestyle changes alone. n=53 children. Rx’d for 24 months
  • -Gastroenterology 2008; 134: 1682.  Review.
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2008; 6: 26-29.  Review.  Risk factors for NASH: obesity, age>50y, non-black ethnicity, female, type II DM, HTN, AST>45, AST/ALT ratio >0.8-1, low platelet count.  Rec:  exclude other causes, check U/S or CT, if risk factors, conside liver biopsy, lifestyle modification
  • -Gastro 2007; 133: 1814.   Prevalence data for increased ALT from NHANES 1999-2004.
  • -NASPGHAN 2007 Postgraduate Course Jeff Schwimmer.  20% of NAFLD pts have normal wt.  9.6% of all children have NAFLD.
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2007; 5: 496.   n=88; 55% of women with PCOS had NAFLD.
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2006; 4: 1537.  Combination of Vit E & urso x 2yrs may be beneficial. n=48.  Regression of steatosis  noted in this small study along with improved enzymes.
  • -JPGN 2006; 43: 413.  Invited review of NAFLD.
  • -NEJM 2006; 355: 2297, 2361.  pioglitazone for NASH -helps with histology; not ready for routine use.
  • -Pediatrics 2006; 118: 1388.  Schwimmer.   n=742 autopsy study; estimates 9.6% overall prevalence of fatty liver for ages 2-19 (>6.5 million in U.S.). 38%  obese had steatosis; 23% of all NAFLD had NASH, 9% had bridging fibrosis
  • -Hepatology 2006; 44: 802, 865.  Long term f/u of NASH (avg 13.6yrs): increased cardiovascular deaths (15.5% vs 7.5% control), increased liver-related deaths 2.8% vs. 0.2% controls.  Risk of HCC and cirrhosis proven.
  • -Hepatology 2006; 44: 458.  Prospective study of 84 children; 7%c >grade I fibrosis; 58% with some fibrosis.  Almost all have evidence of insulin resistance
  • -Clin Gastro & Hep 2006; 4: 639.  Orlistat helped decrease ALT and steatosis on U/S beyond its effect on weight reduction.  n=52.  double-blind, placebo-controlled.  Rx 120mg TID x 6 months.
  • -Liver Transplantation 2006; 12: 523.  Review of NAFLD & Liver transplant.  NAFLD likely the main reason for cryptogenic cirrhosis in adults.
  • -Pediatrics 2006; Schwimmer.   n=954 autopsy study, 32% obese had steatosis; 23% of all NAFLD had NASH, 9% had bridging fibrosis
  • -Aliment Pharm Ther 2005; 21: 871.  pilot study of metformin, 500mg bid in children; 50% nl ALT  (equivocal in adults), high insulin in 95% of pts c NASH
  • -J Pediatr 2003; 143:  500-5.
  • -Hepatology 2005; 42: 641-649. pediatric NAFLD pathology
  • -Hepatology 2004; 40: 1387-95.  Nearly 1 in 3 in US have NAFLD.
  • -Clin Gastro Hepatol 2006; 3: 1260.   Alcohol and NASH are synergistically bad. (increase ALT)
  • -J Pedsiatr 2005; 147: 835.  Low adiponectin in children c NAFLD (lower than other overwt children).
  • -Surgery 2004; 135: 48-58.  Wt loss improves liver histology
  • -Gastroenterology 2005; 128: 1898.  Significant sampling variability (can lead to misdiagnosis)
  • -Hepatology 2005; 42: 44. NAFLD in 25% of pts c clinical liver dz & 20% of pts w/o suspected liver dz (n=3345, Italy)
  • -Clin Gastro & Hepatol 2004; 2: 1048 & 1059 (review/editorial) & 1107. pilot study of VIT E vs VIT E/pioglitazone, n=20.
    NASH in 3% lean, 20% obese, & ~50% morbidly obese.  100% of obese/diabetes have at least mild steatosis, 50% c NASH, & ~20% c cirrhosis.
  • -Hepatology 2004; 39: 770-78.  URSO probably doesn’t help NASH.
    -NEJM 2004; 351: 1147.  n=282 obese children; 11% mod obese c incr ALT, 21% of severely obese.
  • -JPGN 2004; 38: 48.  Rx c vitamin E &/or wt loss.  Both are helpful.
  • -J Peds 2003; 143: 500.  Fasting glucose/insulin, ALT/AST, and BMI are predictive of portal inflammation and fibrosis.  1-4% of all children have elevated transaminases (10-25% of all obese patients).
    HOMA-IR =fasting insulin (microU/ml)/ fasting glucose/22.5.  Insulin resistance is when HOMA-IR is greater than 2.  Fibrosis present in 63% of pts, n=43.
  • -JPGN 2003; 37: 342 (47A) use of metformin 500mg bid, n=10; 3 had transient diarrhea/abd pain. (50A) 3/40 children c NASH c early cirrhosis. 31 c portal fibrosis
  • -Gastroenterology 2003; 125: 1053-59.  Obesity increases risk of death due to cirrhosis.
  • -Clinical Gastro & Hepatology 2003; 1: 384-87.  Use of pioglitazone for NAFLD & obesity.
  • -Gastroenterology 2002; 123: 1702-4, 1705-25. AGA position statement and technical review.
  • -Gastroenterology 2003;124: 71-80.  increased ALT in 2.8% of population -mostly in overwt/obese.
  • -JPGN 2002; 36: 54-61.  With MRI,  21 of 22 (BMI>95th%) c elevated hepatic fat; those c abnl ALT, n=12, had more severe cases of fatty liver c fat content >18%.
  • -Ann Intern Med 1989; 111: 473-8.  Clinical dx of nonalcoholic fatty liver dz without Bx has only 59% predictive value.
  • -Gastroenterology 2004; 126: 1287-92.  Pts c elevated liver enzymes (NASH) are not at higher risk for statin hepatotoxicity.
  • -Gastroenterology 2002; 122: 1649-1657.  Review
  • -NEJM 2002; 346: 1221-1231. Review  AST/ALT ratio greater than 1 suggests increased fibrosis.  Consider bx if obese, greater than 45, type 2 DM, or increased AST/ALT ratio.
  • -Hepatology 2002; 35: 1485-93.  significant complications & decreased survival c obesity-related cryptogenic cirrhosis.  higher rates of progressive HCV & HCC c obesity.
  • -Gastroenterology 2001; 121: 710-724.  Review.
    Reasons for Liver Bx  1. poor correlation between clinical/lab findings & histology –thus for staging  2. assure correct dx; may be wrong in ~44%
  • -Clin Gastro & Hepatology 2004; 2: 262.  Coexistant DM worsens outcome in NASH.
  • -J Pediatr 2000; 136: 727. N=2450.  6% of overweight children with increased ALT, 10% of obese children.  1% of obese children with 2x normal.  50% of obese adolescents with alcohol ingestion (4 or more/month) had increased ALT.  Decreased antioxidants, elevated triglycerides, increased age, and increased hgbA1C were addt’l risk factors.
  • -Gastroenterology 2001; 121: 91-100.  HTN, insulin resistance, and ALT were predictors of fibrosis.
  • -J Pediatr 2000; 136: 734. N=11. Daily vitamin E 400-1200 IU/day noramalized ALT in patients c NASH.
  • -J Peddiatr 2000; 136: 739.  Ursodeoxycholic acid is not effective in NASH. N=31.
  • -J Pediatr 1999; 134: 132 & 160..  Low antioxidants with NASH