AASLD Research Articles

Reproductive Health and Liver Disease: Practice Guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

This first Practice Guidance on Reproductive Health from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) is intended to be a comprehensive reference on adolescents and adults with chronic liver disease. The Guidance specifically (1) addresses management of reproductive healthin women and men from puberty to senescence and (2) summarizes the natural history, risk factors, evaluation, and optimal management of liver diseases during pregnancy and after birth.

1144. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B at UNC Hospitals

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) contributes to liver-related morbidity and mortality on a global scale. In mothers with active hepatitis B, up to 100% of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) is preventable. Guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommend that HBV vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) be given to HBV-exposed infants in a timely manner to prevent up to 90% of MTCT. Additionally, AASLD guidelines recommend that women with high-risk HBV (those with viral load >200,000 IU/mL and/or HBV e antigen [HBeAg] positivity) receive tenofovir prophylaxis to further prevent MTCT. In this chart review, we compared UNC Hospital’s prevention of MTCT measures to standing AASLD guidelines.MethodsThis retrospective chart review included data from all HBV-positive mothers giving birth at UNC Hospitals from April 1, 2014 through December 31, 2019. We investigated the HBV status of mothers, time to neonatal HBV vaccination, time to HBIG administration, maternal HBV viral load, maternal HBeAg status, and whether tenofovir was provided for high-risk mothers. Data was then compared to AASLD guidelines distributed in January 2017.ResultsWe identified 99 HBV-positive pregnant women over a five-year period. The rate of timely administration of HBIG was 99%. The rate of timely hepatitis B vaccination was 97%. The single neonate who did not receive the HBV vaccination within 12 hours was born to a mother whose HBV testing was initially positive but confirmatory testing was negative. Most (65%) women had documented HBV viral load and 75% of women had HBeAg studies. Nine women were identified as high-risk, with only one not receiving tenofovir.ConclusionUNC Hospitals were compliant with AASLD guidelines regarding timely neonatal vaccination, providing nearly 99% of neonates with timely HBIG and all but three neonates with timely HBV vaccine. The majority of high-risk women identified received tenofovir prophylaxis. However, there is room for improvement in laboratory evaluation to identify other high-risk women. While initial data is reassuring, quality improvement measures include improving testing rate to determine risk status for HBV-positive mothers and further investigation of appropriate follow-up testing for both mothers and children.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

COVID-19 in Chronic Liver Disease and Liver Transplantation: A Clinical Review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought challenges to clinicians caring for patients with chronic liver disease. In the past 6 months, COVID-19 has led to over 150,000 deaths in the United States and over 660,000 deaths around the world. Mounting evidence suggests that chronic liver diseases can have an adverse effect on the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19. We present a comprehensive review of the latest literature on preexisting liver diseases and its interrelationship with COVID-19 infection in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and viral hepatitis B. As social distancing and telemedicine gain new footing, we synthesize recommendations from 3 major hepatology societies [American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD), the European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL), and the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver (APASL)] to present the best approaches for caring for patients with liver diseases as well as those requiring liver transplantation.

N-acetylcysteine for non-paracetamol (acetaminophen)-related acute liver failure.

Acute liver failure is a rare and serious disease. Acute liver failuremay be paracetamol-induced or non-paracetamol-induced. Acute liver failurenot caused by paracetamol (acetaminophen) has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. N-acetylcysteinehas been successful in treating paracetamol-induced acute liver failure and reduces the risk of needing to undergo liver transplantation. Recent randomised clinical trials have explored whether the benefit can be extrapolated to treat non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2011 guideline suggested that N-acetylcysteine could improve spontaneous survival when given during early encephalopathy stages for patients with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. To assess the benefits and harms of N-acetylcysteine compared with placebo or no N-acetylcysteine, as an adjunct to usual care, in people with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (searched 25 June 2020), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL;2020, Issue 6)in The Cochrane Library,MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 25 June 2020), Embase Ovid (1974 to 25 June 2020), Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database (LILACS) (1982 to 25 June 2020), Science Citation Index Expanded (1900 to 25 June 2020), and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (1990 to 25 June 2020). We included randomised clinical trials that compared N-acetylcysteine at any dose or route with placebo or no intervention in participants with non-paracetamol-induced acute liver failure. We used standard methodological procedures as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We conducted meta-analyses and presented results using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We quantified statistical heterogeneity by calculatingI2. We assessed bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and determined the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We included two randomised clinical trials:one with 183 adults and one with 174 children (birth through age 17 years). We classified both trials at overall high risk of bias. One unregistered study in adults is awaiting classification while we are awaiting responses from study authors for details on trial methodology (e.g. randomisation processes). We did not meta-analyse all-cause mortality because of significant clinical heterogeneity in the two trials. For all-cause mortality at 21 days between adults receiving N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (N-acetylcysteine 24/81 (29.6%) versus placebo 31/92 (33.7%); RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.37; low certaintyevidence).The certainty of the evidence was low due to risk of bias and imprecision.Similarly, for all-cause mortality at one year between children receiving N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (25/92 (27.2%) versus 17/92 (18.5%); RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.53; low certaintyevidence). We downgraded the certainty of evidence due to very serious imprecision. We did not meta-analyse serious adverse events and liver transplantation at one year due to incomplete reporting and clinical heterogeneity. For liver transplantation at 21 days in the trial with adults, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.06; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to serious risk of bias and imprecision. For liver transplantation at one year in the trial with children, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.81; low certainty of evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to very serious imprecision. There was inconclusive evidence of effect on serious adverse events in the trial with children (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.35 to 4.51; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to very serious imprecision. We did not meta-analyse non-serious adverse events due to clinical heterogeneity. There was inconclusive evidence of effect on non-serious adverse events in adults (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.45; 173 participants; low certainty of evidence) and children (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.16; 184 participants; low certainty of evidence). None of the trials reported outcomes of proportion of participants with resolution of encephalopathy and coagulopathy or health-related quality of life. The National Institute of Health in the United States funded both trials through grants. One of the trials received additional funding from two hospital foundations' grants. Pharmaceutical companies provided the study drug and matching placebo, but they did not have input into study design nor involvement in analysis. The available evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of N-acetylcysteine compared with placebo or no N-acetylcysteine, as an adjunct to usual care, on mortality or transplant rate in non-paracetamol-induced acute liver failure. Current evidence does not support the guideline suggestion to use N-acetylcysteine in adults with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure, nor the rising use observed in clinical practice. The uncertainty based on current scanty evidence warrants additional randomised clinical trials with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure evaluating N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, as well as investigations to identify predictors of response and the optimal N-acetylcysteine dose and duration.

Negligible HCC risk during stringently defined untreated immune-tolerant phase of chronic hepatitis B

Background & aims: Whether chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients during immune-tolerant (IT) phase are at low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. We performed a multicenter study to determine their long-term prognosis.Methods: Untreated IT group included patients < 40 years of age, with persistently hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] positivity, serum HBV-DNA>6 log10IU/mL, and ALT level < 40 U/L, using age and HBV-DNA criteria by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guideline. Cumulative HCC risk of untreated IT group (n=194) was compared to HBeAg-positive patients undergoing antiviral therapy according to the practice and reimbursement guidelines (treated HBeAg[+] group, n=454). Patients with history of cirrhosis or HCC at baseline were excluded.Results: During follow-up (median 62.1 months), HCC did not develop in any patient among untreated IT group, whereas the cumulative probability of HCC at 3, 5, and 9 years in the treated HBeAg(+) group was 0.5%, 0.7%, and 1.3%, respectively (p=0.203). Ninety-seven patients among untreated IT group entered immune-active phase, of whom 86 (88.7%) started antiviral treatment. A high normal ALT level (20–39 U/L) was associated with an increased risk of a phase change, compared to ALT < 20 U/L. After censoring at the time of phase change, the cumulative HCC risk was also not significantly different between two groups (p=0.258).Conclusions: No actual HCC risk during untreated IT phase defined by age and HBV-DNA criteria of the AASLD guideline exists, supporting their diagnostic validity from the perspective of long-term prognosis. Further validation studies are required.

Evaluation of Five International HBV Treatment Guidelines: Recommendation for Resource-Limited Developing Countries Based on the National Study in Nepal.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects the liver, causing cirrhosis and cancer. In developed countries, five international guidelines have been used to make a decision for the management of patients with chronic HBV infection. In this review, since the guidelines were established by clinical and epidemiological data of developed countries, we aimed to evaluate whether (1) HBV patient profiles of developing countries are similar to developed countries, and (2) which guideline can be applicable to resource-limited developing countries. First, as an example of the most recent data of HBV infections among developing countries, we evaluated the national HBV viral load study in Nepal, which were compared with the data from other developing countries. In Nepal, the highest number of patients had viral loads of 20–2000 IU/mL (36.7%) and belonged to the age group of 21–30 years; HBV epidemiology in Nepal, based on the viral loads, gender, and age groups was similar to those of not only other developing countries but also developed countries. Next, we reviewed five international HBV treatment guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL). All guidelines require the viral load and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels for decision making. Although four guidelines recommend elastography to assess liver cirrhosis, the WHO guideline alternatively recommends using the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), which is inexpensive and conducted routinely in most hospitals. Therefore, in resource-limited developing countries like Nepal, we recommend the WHO guideline for HBV treatment based on the viral load, ALT, and APRI information.

Diagnostic performance of ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy according to MRI LI-RADS diagnostic categories.

PurposeAccording to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines, biopsy is a diagnostic option for focal hepatic lesions depending on the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) category. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB) according to LI-RADS categories.MethodsA total of 145 High-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by CNB for a focal hepatic lesion preoperatively were retrospectively enrolled. Focal hepatic lesions on MRI were evaluated according to LI-RADS version 2018. Pathologic results were categorized into HCC, non-HCC malignancies, and benignity. The categorization was defined as correct when the CNB pathology and surgical pathology reports were identical. Nondiagnostic results were defined as inadequate CNB pathology findings for a specific diagnosis. The proportion of correct categorizations was calculated for each LI-RADS category, excluding nondiagnostic results.ResultsAfter excluding 16 nondiagnostic results, 131 lesions were analyzed (45 LR-5, 24 LR-4, 4 LR-3, and 58 LR-M). All LR-5 lesions were HCC, and CNB correctly categorized 97.8% (44/45) of LR-5 lesions. CNB correctly categorized all 24 LR-4 lesions, 16.7% (4/24) of which were non-HCC malignancies. All LR-M lesions were malignant, and 62.1% (36/58) were non-HCC malignancies. CNB correctly categorized 93.1% (54/58) of LR-M lesions, and 12.5% (3/24) of lesions with CNB results of HCC were confirmed as non-HCC malignancies.ConclusionIn agreement with AASLD guidelines, CNB could be helpful for LR-4 lesions, but is unnecessary for LR-5 lesions. In LR-M lesions, CNB results of HCC did not exclude non-HCC malignancy.

S1223 Automated Endoscopy Template Improves Provider Adherence to Esophageal Varices Surveillance Guidelines

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal variceal (EV) hemorrhage is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Though timely endoscopic follow-up for EV surveillance improves outcomes, there remains significant practice variation regarding recommended follow-up interval after variceal detection on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In this quality improvement study, we aimed to improve adherence to EV surveillance recommendations per American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) by implementing prescriptive templates in an endoscopy reporting software. METHODS: A pre-post study was conducted at a single academic center between 1/2018 and 3/2020. Interventions included (1) surveying faculty/fellows to identify barriers of knowledge/adherence to guidelines, (2) disseminating uniform follow-up recommendations derived from AASLD/ASGE best practices, and (3) developing an automated prescriptive template in PENTAX endoPRO software to standardize procedural documentation and follow-up recommendations. Outcomes included adherence to standardized follow-up recommendations of (1) ≤2 years for small varices, (2) ≤3 months for medium/large varices or endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL), or (3) initiation of a non-selective beta blocker. RESULTS: Among 2,363 EGDs performed prior to the intervention in 2018, EV were noted on 218 EGDs with the majority (54%) without documentation of EV size. Of the 127 EGDs with documented EV size and/or EVL, only 63% provided guideline-based follow-up recommendations. On the pre-intervention survey (n = 24), suboptimal adherence was due to variability in provider practices with regards to follow-up intervals due to conflicting guidelines and low satisfaction rate (19%) with the current endoscopy reporting template. Development of an automated template to standardize guideline-based follow-up was implemented on 6/2019. After template implementation, the rate of adherence to guideline-based recommendations improved quarterly from a baseline of 69% to 74%, 80%, and 94%, respectively (Figure 1). CONCLUSION: Suboptimal adherence to recommended guidelines for EV-related care was due to variability in provider practices based on differing recommendations between societal guidelines and inadequate documentation of variceal size. Our intervention utilizing standardized automated prescriptive templates in endoPRO led to improved overall adherence to guideline-based EV surveillance recommendations.Figure 1.: Compliance Rate of Esophageal Varices Surveillance Recommendations.

S3399 An Interesting Case of Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) in a Highly Immunosuppressed Patient With Crohn's Disease (CD): Epidemic or Iatrogenic?

INTRODUCTION: Women remain significantly underrepresented in academic leadership and other positions that determine the scientific agenda. This extends to the realm of governing boards of medical societies. The purpose of this study was to analyze global trends of female participation on governing boards of gastroenterology societies. METHODS: The governing boards of national gastroenterology societies of 9 countries were identified from online materials. For the United States, the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) were used as a representation of the national societies The gender of each representative and the total number of representatives were abstracted. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using Excel. The chi-square test was used to compare for statistically significant differences between societies. RESULTS: A total of 161 representatives were identified across 9 countries. The total percentage of representatives who were women varied according to each society but remained persistently below that of men (Figure 1). The average number of female representatives were significantly lower than men at 16.8% (Range 0–42%). Compared to the United States, the Asian countries have significantly lower participation of women on governing boards (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were significant disparities and lower participation of females on governing boards of gastroenterology societies globally. There was lower participation of females on governing boards of Asian countries as compared to the United States. Addressing these disparities and improving female participation on governing boards may help in addressing gender disparities in academic advancement.Figure 1

Modeling the Hepatology Workforce in the United States: A Predicted Critical Shortage.

Liver disease is prevalent in the United States, and as the population ages, an increasing number of patients are anticipated to present for care. The state of the current hepatology workforce and future demand for hepatology providers is not known. The aim of this study was to model future projections for hepatology workforce demand. A workforce study of hepatology providers in the United States was completed using primary and secondary data sources. An integrated workforce framework model was used that combined socioeconomic factors that drive economic demand, epidemiological factors that drive need, and utilization rates of health care services. Supply and demand projections were calculated for adult and pediatric hepatology professionals. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to cover the feasible range of these assumptions. An electronic survey of American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) members whose practice included 50% or more hepatology was conducted. In 2018, the adult and pediatric workforce included 7,296 and 824 hepatology providers, respectively, composed of hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and advanced practice providers whose practice was ≥50% hepatology. The modeling analysis projects that in 2023, 2028, and 2033, there will be shortages of 10%, 23%, and 35% adult hepatology providers, respectively, and 19%, 20%, and 16% pediatric hepatology providers, respectively. In sensitivity analyses, a shortage of hepatology providers is predicted even under optimistic assumptions. Among the respondents to the survey, the median age was higher among gastroenterologists and general hepatologists compared with transplant hepatologists. The most common category treated by transplant hepatologists was general hepatology. There is an impending critical shortage of adult and pediatric hepatology providers. Strategies are needed to encourage clinicians to pursue hepatology, especially in areas outside of transplant centers.

Screening for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes in the United States Is Cost-effective: A Comprehensive Cost-Utility Analysis

Screening for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes in the United States Is Cost-effective: A Comprehensive Cost-Utility Analysis

2019 Chinese clinical guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: updates and insights.

Approximately half of newly-diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in the world occur in China, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being the predominant risk factor. Recently, the guidelines for the management of Chinese HCC patients were updated. The past decade has witnessed a great improvement in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study reviews the recommendations in the 2019 Chinese guidelines and makes comparison with the practices from the Western world. The updated recommendations on the surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm of HCC in the 2019 Chinese guidelines were summarized, and comparisons among the updated Chinese guidelines, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines were made. Besides imaging and pathological diagnoses, novel biomarkers like the seven-micro-RNA panel are advocated for early diagnoses and therapeutic efficacy evaluation in the updated Chinese guidelines. The China liver cancer (CNLC) staging system, proposed in the 2017 guidelines, continues to be the standard model for patient classification, with subsequent modifications and updates being made in treatment allocations. Compared to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system, the CNLC staging system employs resection, transplantation, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for more progressed HCC. TACE in combination with other regional therapies like ablation or with systemic therapies like sorafenib are also encouraged in select patients in China. The systemic treatments for HCC have evolved considerably since lenvatinib, regorafenib, carbozantinib, ramucirumab and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)were first prescribed as first-line or second-line agents. Novel biomarkers, imaging and operative techniques are recommended in the updated Chinese guideline. More aggressive treatment modalities are suggested for more progressed HBV-related HCC in China.

One world, one pandemic, many guidelines: management of liver diseases during COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current global pandemic of COVID-19, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1 As of 26 April 2020, it...

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration(BRTO) of gastric varices using foam sclerosant and a reduced balloon inflation time: Feasibility and efficacy.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is recommended for secondary prevention of gastric variceal bleeding in the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) guidelines, as an alternative to Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). However, there is significant heterogeneity in how BRTO is performed, including how and how long to occlude the outflow venous shunt amongst other variables such as variceal size, flow rate, agent used, and preparation technique. We propose a method using foam sclerotherapy and reducing balloon occlusion to as little as 30min, with assessment of the efficacy of this shorter balloon inflation time. Retrospective single-centre analysis of BRTO procedures between July 2015 and February 2019 for isolated gastric varices in a non-acute setting, where inflation time was 2h or less. Six patients underwent BRTO with a short inflation time, with a mean age of 66years. The median balloon inflation and thus 3% athoxysclerol foam contact time was 30min (range 30-60min). Four of the 6 patients showed complete resolution of varices, while 2 of the 6 showed a partial response. Mean follow-up was 27months. There were no patients who did not show a response to treatment and no episodes of clinically significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This technique using a shortened balloon occlusion time resulted in complete or partial clinical and technical success in all patients and suggests that the threshold for initiation of gastric variceal thrombosis may be below 30min. This timepoint may provide a balance between adequate balloon inflation, angiography room efficiency and hospital resource allocation with resultant procedural cost implications.

Compliance to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines and its impact on overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

e16609 Background: The Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging based management proposed by AASLD depends on baseline liver function and performance status of the patient in addition to tumor characteristics. Low adherence to AASLD guidelines, especially in advanced staged tumors, can be ascribed to suboptimal revision/updates of the guidelines reflecting the advancements in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management. Here, in addition to the adherence rate, we explored the overall survival of patients with HCC according to first-line treatment modality compliance to AASLD guidelines. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at the University of South Alabama/Mitchell Cancer Institute. Between 2017 and 2019, 148 unique treatment-naïve patients with HCC were identified. Patients were staged according to the BCLC staging system and their compliance with suggested first-line treatment modality according to AASLD guidelines was noted. Overall survival was explored and differences between overall survival rates of compliant and non-complaint patients were compared using the log-rank Wilcoxon test. Results: In our cohort, the median age was 72.5 years (range 38-90). Males represented 80%. Caucasians, African Americans, and other ethnicities (e.g. Asians) represented 68%, 30% and 2% respectively. The overall adherence rate was 83%. The adherence rate according to BCLC stage 0, A, B, C and D was 100%, 97%, 77%, 77% and 38% respectively. Compliance vs. non-compliance to AASLD guidelines showed no significant difference in overall survival of patients with BCLC stage 0-A, B and C. In patients with BCLC stage D (N = 13), compared to patients treated in compliance to AASLD guidelines (N = 5), patients treated in non-compliance (N = 8) had better overall survival (2.2 vs. 5.2 months, p = 0.0012). Conclusions: In our cohort, the adherence rate to AASLD treatment guidelines in patients with BCLC stage D was very low at 38%. Lack of adherence in this group of patients translated into better overall survival. The current AASLD guidelines for the management of HCC have several limitations, especially for advanced stages. In the last few years, the FDA approved several tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors and the monoclonal antibody, ramucirumab. This expansion generated the need for periodic updates/revisions of consensus guidelines.

Diagnosis and Management of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Adults and Children: 2019 Practice Guidance and Guidelines From the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

The objectives of this document are to provide guidance in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) based on current evidence and expert opinion, and to present guidelines to clinically relevant questions based on systematic reviews of the literature and the quality of evidence (1). This practice guideline/guidance constitutes an update of the guidelines on AIH published in 2010 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) (2). It updates the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of AIH in adults and children.

Chronic Liver Disease and COVID-19: Alcohol Use Disorder/Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Autoimmune Liver Disease, and Compensated Cirrhosis.

Chronic Liver Disease and COVID-19: Alcohol Use Disorder/Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Autoimmune Liver Disease, and Compensated Cirrhosis.

Golgi Protein 73 versus Alpha-Fetoprotein as a New Biomarker in Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BackgroundScreening of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis is the greatest challenge for hepatologists. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most common non-invasive biomarker used in HCC diagnosis.Objectives and AimsTo make a comparison between the new biomarker Golgi protein 73 (GP73) versus the standard biomarker AFP in the diagnosis of HCC.MethodsOur study was a case–control study, and 60 patients were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: 1) HCC patients with either chronic HBV or HCV infection (n=30); and 2) non-HCC patients with HBV or HCV infection who had either chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (n=30). In addition, 30 healthy volunteers were included as a control group. Patients were subjected to liver function tests, kidney function tests, serum Golgi protein 73 and AFP levels. Imaging diagnosis of HCC was done by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) practice guidelines.ResultsStatistically significant differences between groups in terms of serum AFP (p<0.001) and GP73 (p<0.001) were found. Non-HCC patients (chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis) and HCC patients had significantly higher AFP and GP73 than the control group. In addition, patients with HCC had significantly higher AFP and GP73 than chronic hepatitis and cirrhotic patients. GP73 had higher diagnostic performance than AFP. At a cut-off value of ≥8.4 ng/mL, GP73 yielded a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 89% for the discrimination between HCC and normal populations. Similarly, at a cut-off value of ≥8.45 ng/mL, GP73 yielded a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 84% for the discrimination between HCC patients and non-HCC patients. On the other hand, AFP at a cut-off value of ≥2.4 ng/mL yielded a sensitivity of 75.4% and specificity of 90% for the discrimination between HCC and normal populations; and at a cut-off value of ≥20.85 ng/mL, AFP yielded a sensitivity of 72.2% and specificity of 86.2% for the discrimination between HCC and non-HCC patients.ConclusionGolgi protein 73 is a promising and accurate biomarker for early detection of HCC.

Comparison of guidelines for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in transplantation candidates.

To compare diagnostic performances of current guidelines for the diagnosis of HCC in LT candidates using gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI (Gd-EOB-MRI). Eighty-one patients (119 HCCs and 35 non-HCCs) who underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-MRI and subsequent LT were included. Per-lesion imaging diagnoses of HCCs were made using four different guidelines (American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), and Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center (KLCA-NCC) guidelines, and patient allocation was determined according to Milan criteria (MC). Comparisons of per-lesion sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of patient allocation between guidelines were performed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. For diagnosis of HCC, AASLD guideline showed highest specificity (97.4%), followed by EASL and KLCA-NCC guidelines (92.1% and 92.1%, p > 0.99 and = 0.15, respectively, in comparison to AASLD), while the specificity of APASL guideline was significantly lower than that of AASLD guideline (78.9% vs. 97.4%, p = 0.006). APASL and KLCA-NCC guidelines (75.9% and 65.6%) showed significantly higher sensitivities than AASLD/EASL guidelines (34.5% and 38.8%, respectively; all ps < 0.001). For organ allocation, KLCA-NCC guideline showed higher accuracy in selecting unsuitable candidates (with non-HCC malignancies or beyond MC HCCs) than EASL guideline (68.4% vs. 31.8%; p = 0.001). For the diagnosis of HCCs using Gd-EOB-MRI, AASLD guideline provided the highest specificity, followed by EASL, KLCA-NCC, and APASL guidelines with statistically significant difference with only APASL guideline. KLCA-NCC guideline provided the most accurate selection of unsuitable LT candidates. • AASLD/LI-RADS showed the highest specificity, followed by EASL and KLCA-NCC guidelines. • APASL and KLCA-NCC guidelines allowed more sensitive diagnoses of HCCs. • KLCA-NCC more accurately classified patients not appropriate transplantation candidates than EASL.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: We Are Still Behind.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an infection in the ascitic fluid. Despite published guidelines, an inappropriate diagnosis of SBP is frequent. In this study, we aim to evaluate guideline adherence in diagnosing SBP. This is a retrospective study conducted between January 2015 and January 2018. Based on the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL), two authors judged guideline adherence in SBP diagnosis and management. One hundred and six patients were included in the study, and 93% were hospitalized. The mean age was 56.9 years, and 62 patients were males. In addition, Caucasians were the most common ethnicity (86.8%). The authors judged that only 52.4% of patients were appropriately diagnosed, and only 67.3% were managed with proper treatment. Inpatient mortality was documented in five patients, and the readmission rate within 30-days after discharge was 29.3%. In conclusion, SBP is a common complication of cirrhosis, which can be managed with adherence to published guidelines. In our population, guidelines were not implemented in diagnosing nearly half the SBP patients, mostly due to misdiagnosis of SBP with secondary peritonitis or non-neutrocytic bacteriascites, starting antibiotics before performing the paracentesis, and even giving broad-coverage antibiotics when not indicated. Further efforts are needed to enhance adherence to guidelines in clinical practice.