Mean Model For End-Stage Liver Disease Score Research Articles

Improvement in Thrombocytopenia after Direct Acting Anti-Viral (DAA)Therapy in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Chronic Liver Disease in Pakistani Population-A Single Centered Study

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection remains a significant global health challenge, often leading to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and associated complications like thrombocytopenia. Directly acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized HCV treatment due to their high efficacy and favorable safety profiles but the impact on thrombocytopenia, particularly in the Pakistani population, has been less studied. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DAA therapy on platelet count and other laboratory parameters in chronic HCV patients with thrombocytopenia in Pakistan and to establish correlations between treatment outcomes and baseline laboratory values. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients with chronic HCV genotype 3a infection, compensated cirrhosis, and a baseline platelet count of less than 150 × 10^9/L were included. Exclusion criteria encompassed decompensated liver disease, liver cancer, and other specific conditions. The treatment regimens were Sofosbuvir plus Daclatasvir or Velpatasvir plus Ribavirin over three months. Parameters such as complete blood counts, serum creatinine, liver enzymes, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were recorded at baseline and post-treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing paired t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: A total of 195 patients were studied, with a mean baseline platelet count of 100.7 × 10^9/L, which significantly increased to 122.2 × 10^9/L post-treatment (p < 0.001). Improvements were also noted in mean serum creatinine (0.96 mg/dL to 0.87 mg/dL; p = 0.009), total bilirubin (1.6 mg/dL to 1.2 mg/dL; p < 0.001), liver enzymes (ALT from 63.9 IU to 45.9 IU; p < 0.001 and AST from 86.8 IU to 59.5 IU; p < 0.001), and MELD scores (11.5 to 9.3; p < 0.001). Hemoglobin levels and total leukocyte counts also showed significant improvements. Conclusion: DAA therapy significantly improves platelet counts and other laboratory parameters in chronic HCV patients with thrombocytopenia, suggesting a positive impact on liver function and patient management. This study highlights the importance of DAAs in the therapeutic regimen for HCV in the Pakistani population, contributing to better clinical outcomes and healthcare practices.

Hepatic arterial hemodynamics and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores in chronic liver disease: insights from Doppler ultrasonography

BackgroundDoppler ultrasonography is essential to provide insights into hemodynamic alterations and liver function changes in pre-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients. Utilizing Doppler examinations, this study aims to explore the correlation between hepatic arterial hemodynamics and Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores in chronic liver disease patients.MethodsA study of 50 chronic liver disease patients included sonographic assessments, measuring liver, portal vein size, and flow. Hepatic artery velocity, resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and acceleration time (AT) were evaluated. Biochemical parameters (serum bilirubin, creatinine, INR) were used to calculate MELD scores, compared with different Doppler sonographic parameters.ResultsThe study found a mean peak systolic velocity (PSV) of 107.42 ± 48.10, with end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of 26.40 ± 14.68, RI of 0.74 ± 0.06, and PI of 1.47 ± 0.24. The mean MELD score was 19.28 ± 6.09. Correlations between MELD scores and PSV, EDV, RI, PI, and AT did not yield statistically significant correlations. 80% of subjects displayed high RI (> 0.7) values in the hepatic artery, and a significant correlation was found between portal vein thrombosis and hepatic artery PSV and RI (p < 0.05).ConclusionsHepatic artery RI and PSV show a significant correlation with portal vein thrombosis. Doppler ultrasonography, while not directly tied to MELD scores, is valuable for non-invasive liver disease monitoring when invasive methods are impractical. Further research is needed to unravel the relationships between hemodynamic changes, MELD scores, and clinical outcomes in a broader patient population.

Spatial inequalities and non-linear association of continuous variables with mortality risk of liver transplantation in Iran: a retrospective cohort study

Liver transplantation is the second most common solid organ transplant and the best option for liver failure. Of course, patient survival after transplantation depends on many risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial and non-linear effects of continuous risk factors on patient survival after liver transplantation. This retrospective cohort study (n = 3148) used data on liver transplantation in Iran (2004–2019). A generalized additive model with spatial effects and non-linear effects of age and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score variables by penalized spline was used. The majority of patients were male (63.3%), with a mean (SD) age of 42.65 (13.31) and a mean (SD) MELD score of 24.43 (6.72). The 1, 5, and 10-year survival rates were 88.2%, 84.6%, and 82.5% respectively. The non-linear effect showed a steeper slope of the age effect on the hazard of death after the age of 50 (p < 0.05), and the MELD score had a direct but non-linear relationship with the hazard of death (p < 0.05). In the spatial pattern, the provinces with a greater distance from the transplant center had significantly fewer old patients than other provinces. Also, more distant provinces with an older transplant age had higher post-transplant mortality rates. Our study showed that it is better to take age and MELD score into account in postoperative care. The spatial pattern of mortality risk reflects inequalities in access to transplantation and public health services after transplantation.

Outcomes of direct-acting antivirals in patients with HCV decompensated cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDirect-acting antivirals (DAA) are effective for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. However, their impact on overall survival (OS), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence, HCC-free survival, and liver function in patients with HCV decompensated cirrhosis remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DAA treatment on this population.MethodsStudies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL databases. OS and HCC-free survival probabilities and time data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves. A one-stage meta-analysis using parametric Weibull regression was conducted to estimate the relative treatment effects of DAA vs. no DAA. The primary outcome was the OS rate. The secondary outcomes were HCC-free survival, HCC occurrence rate, and improvement in the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.ResultsEight cohorts comprising 3,430 participants (2,603 in the DAA group and 1,999 in the no-DAA group) were included. The OS probabilities at 12 and 24 months were 95 and 90% for the DAA group, respectively, compared with 89 and 80% in the no-DAA group, respectively. Hazard ratio (HR) was 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 0.60; p &amp;lt; 0.001). The HCC-free survival probabilities at 12 and 24 months were 96 and 90%, respectively, in the former, and 94 and 85%, respectively, in the latter. The HR of HCC occurrence was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52, 1.00; p = 0.05), which suggests that DAA treatment in decompensated cirrhosis may lead to a 28% lower risk of HCC occurrence. The mean MELD score difference was −7.75 (95% CI: −14.52, −0.98; p = 0.02).ConclusionImprovement in OS and MELD score is a long-term benefit of DAA treatment in patients with HCV decompensated cirrhosis, with a marginal effect of the treatment on HCC development.

Corrected QT interval in cirrhosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Corrected QT (QTc) interval is prolonged in patients with liver cirrhosis and has been proposed to correlate with the severity of the disease. However, the effects of sex, age, severity, and etiology of cirrhosis on QTc have not been elucidated. At the same time, the role of treatment, acute illness, and liver transplantation (Tx) remains largely unknown. To determine the mean QTc in patients with cirrhosis, assess whether QTc is prolonged in patients with cirrhosis, and investigate whether QTc is affected by factors such as sex, age, severity, etiology, treatment, acute illness, and liver Tx. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the searching protocol "{[QTc] OR [QT interval] OR [QT-interval] OR [Q-T syndrome]} AND {[cirrhosis] OR [Child-Pugh] OR [MELD]}" was applied in PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases to identify studies that reported QTc in patients with cirrhosis and published after 1998. Seventy-three studies were considered eligible. Data concerning first author, year of publication, type of study, method used, sample size, mean age, female ratio, alcoholic etiology of cirrhosis ratio, Child-Pugh A/B/C ratio, mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, treatment with β-blockers, episode of acute gastrointestinal bleeding, formula for QT correction, mean pulse rate, QTc in patients with cirrhosis and controls, and QTc according to etiology of cirrhosis, sex, Child-Pugh stage, MELD score, and liver Tx status (pre-Tx/post-Tx) were retrieved. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale appraised the quality of the eligible studies. Effect estimates, expressed as proportions or standardized mean differences, were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Subgroup, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regressions were applied to assess heterogeneity. The study has been registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023416595). QTc combined mean in patients with cirrhosis was 444.8 ms [95% confidence interval (CI): 440.4-449.2; P < 0.001 when compared with the upper normal limit of 440 ms], presenting high heterogeneity (I2 = 97.5%; 95%CI: 97.2%-97.8%); both Egger's and Begg's tests showed non-significance. QTc was elongated in patients with cirrhosis compared with controls (P < 0.001). QTc was longer in patients with Child-Pugh C cirrhosis when compared with Child-Pugh B and A (P < 0.001); Child-Pugh B patients presented longer QTc when compared with Child-Pugh A patients (P = 0.003). The MELD score was higher in patients with cirrhosis with QTc > 440 ms when compared with QTc ≤ 440 ms (P < 0.001). No correlation of QTc with age (P = 0.693), sex (P = 0.753), or etiology (P = 0.418) was detected. β-blockers shortened QTc (P< 0.001). QTc was prolonged during acute gastrointestinal bleeding (P = 0.020). Tx tended to improve QTc (P < 0.001). No other sources of QTc heterogeneity were revealed. QTc is prolonged in cirrhosis independently of sex, age, and etiology but is correlated with severity and affected by β-blockers and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. QTc is improved after liver Tx.

Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Patients with Advanced Liver Disease

Introduction: Bacterial infections are known reason for morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis among which Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is most common, accounts for around 20% to 30% mortality rate. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of in-hospital mortality in SBP patients. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Asian Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital Hyderabad. Duration: From 1st January 2019 to 30th June 2019. Material and Methods: Adult patients diagnosed to have spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and followed for outcome. Results: 223 patients of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis I,e 165 (74%) male and 58 (26%) female fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in study. Mean age obtained was 47.56 ± 13.069 years and Hepatitis C with most common etiology for CLD was 128 (57.4%) followed by Hepatitis B 26 (11.7%), Hepatitis B + D 30 (13.5 %) and Alcohol 8 (3.6 %). Hepatocellular carcinoma in 70 (31.4 %) only. CTP (Child-Turcot-Pugh) score and MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) score used to access stage of cirrhosis. 38 (17 %) patients with CTP class B and 185 (83 %) with CTP class C. The mean MELD score of all patients found to be 23.09 ± 15.686. Among 223 patients, in-hospital mortality was observed in 61 (27.4%), 115 (51.6%) were discharged with improvement and rest 47 (21.1%) discharged with no improvement. Practical Implication: This study's findings underscore the need for early detection and aggressive management of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in patients with advanced liver disease, especially those with CTP Class C and high MELD scores, to reduce the high in-hospital mortality rate. Conclusion: Significantly high in-hospital mortality was found to be associated with SBP, with CTP Class C, High MELD Score, increased creatinine, bilirubin, PT, INR and decreased albumin especially in females. Keywords: Cirrhosis; In-hospital mortality; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index can predict the outcome in patients with stable decompensated cirrhosis.

Platelet (PLT)-based biomarkers have been studied for the evaluation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. There are no data regarding their prognostic significance in decompensated cirrhosis. We studied 525 stable decompensated patients from the 2 Greek transplant centers. We measured PLT values, mean PLT volume (MPV), red cell distribution width, γ-globulins, and calculated PLT-based scores: aspartate aminotransferase-to-PLT ratio index (APRI), γ-globulin-to-PLT model, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-PLT ratio (GPR). We followed our cohort for 12 (range: 1-84) months. Baseline mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores were 15±6 and 8±2, respectively. On univariate analysis, MPV/PLT (hazard ratio [HR] 3.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1-14.5; P=0.05), APRI (HR 1.03, 95%CI 1.006-1.06; P=0.016), GPR (HR 1.096, 95%CI 1.016-1.182; P=0.017) were significantly associated with our patients' outcome (survival vs. death or liver transplantation). In a multivariate model without MELD and CTP scores, APRI was the only significant factor associated with the outcome (HR 1.054, 95%CI 1.009-1.101; P=0.018). APRI had good discriminative ability for the outcome (area under the curve 0.723 vs. 0.675 and 0.656 for MELD and CTP scores, respectively). The optimal cutoff point was 1.3 (sensitivity 71%, specificity 65%). There were 200 patients (38%) with APRI scores <1.3 who had better survival than patients with APRI >1.3 (log rank 22.4, P<0.001). This study found a prognostic role for APRI in stable decompensated cirrhosis, regardless of the underlying etiology of chronic liver disease. This suggests new perspectives for PLT-based noninvasive scores to discriminate patients' outcomes.

Physical Effects, Safety and Feasibility of Prehabilitation in Patients Awaiting Orthotopic Liver Transplantation, a Systematic Review.

Prehabilitation improves surgical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery. However, patients preparing for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are physically "frail" and suffer from comorbidities that generally hamper physical activity. This systematic review aims to evaluate the physical effects, safety and feasibility of prehabilitation in OLT candidates. Relevant articles were searched, in Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Medline and Google Scholar, to December 2021. Studies reporting on specified preoperative exercise programs, including adult OLT candidates with end-stage liver disease, with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥12 or Child-Pugh classification B/C, were included. This resulted in 563 potentially eligible studies, out of which eight were selected for inclusion, consisting of 1,094 patients (male sex 68%; mean age 51-61years; mean MELD score 12-21). Six of the included studies were classified as low-quality by the GRADE system, and three studies had high risk for ineffectiveness of the training program according to the i-CONTENT tool. Significant improvement was observed in VO2 peak, 6-minute walking distance, hand grip strength, liver frailty index and quality of life. Feasibility ranged from an adherence of 38%-90% in unsupervised-to >94% in supervised programs. No serious adverse events were reported. In conclusion, prehabilitation in patients awaiting OLT appears to improve aerobic capacity, and seems feasible and safe. However, larger clinical trials are required to accurately examine the preoperative and postoperative effects of prehabilitation in this specific patient population.

346.2: Preoperative Neutrophil and Platelet-To-Lymphocyte Ratio As Predictors of Mortality and Surgical Related Complications After Liver Transplantation

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) is considered the only definitive treatment in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Nowadays, the 5-year overall survival (OS) after LT is 75%–85%. In addition, short-term mortality has decreased due to better perioperative care, advancements in operative techniques, as well as changes in patient selection. Despite these improvements, a subset of patients still dies within the first year after LT. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been recently reported as simple and useful markers of various inflammatory changes and are calculated based on complete blood count data. It has been suggested that both parameters in the acute phase of LT are prognostic factors for early post-transplant survival. Method: We conducted a retrospective and analytic study. Among 410 LT recipients between January 2013 and February 2022 who were operated at the HPB surgery and liver transplant department of the Hospital de Alta Complejidad “El Cruce”, we selected 120 patients after simple random sampling. Patients’ demographic data, cirrhosis etiology, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, and hematological parameters were analyzed. Latest hematological parameters prior to surgery were recorded. NLR and PLR values were calculated based on the measured hematological parameters. Time and incidence of postoperative complications were analyzed. Fisher exact test, Mann–Whitney U test and Students T-test were used when appropriate. Two-sided p value equal or less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance with a confidence interval of 95%. All analyses were conducted using MedCalc version 20.027 (https://www.medcalc.org/). Results: The mean age of the 120 patients included in the study was 58.73 ± 7.04 years; 66.67% were male. All patients received decesead donor liver transplantation. The most common indication for LT was liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) (30%) followed by alcoholic liver cirrhosis (26.67%) (table 1). The mean MELD score was found to be 24.85 ± 4.67. 23 out of 120 patients died after LT (19.16%). 5 patients (4.16%) presented surgical-related complications. Mortality was higher in patients with higher MELD scores (p = 0.011). The mean preoperative NLR was 3.54 ± 4.08 and PLR was 80.73 ± 50.59. When NLR and PLR results with cut-off values of >3,77 and ≤34,18 respectively were compared with the incidence of major complications (Dindo-Clavien ≥3) a significant result was found (p = 0.01). No statistical significance was found between NLR, PLR and age and mortality (p=0.91, 0.93 and 0.47 respectively). Conclusion: Preoperative NLR and PLR were not found useful to predict mortality after OLT in our series. However, they may be of value to anticipate poor prognosis or major incidence of complications in patients undergoing OLT. With this simple indices, high-risk patients can be identified and preventive measures can be taken.

Impact of COVID-19 on Liver Transplant Activity in the USA: Variation by Etiology and Cirrhosis Complications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the care of patients with liver disease. We examined impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant (LT) activity in the USA. LT listings in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database (April 2018-May 2021) were analyzed to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the LT activity based on etiology: hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), alcoholic hepatitis (AH), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) complications: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) grade 2 or 3) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Joinpoint regression models assessed time trend changes on a log scale. Of 23,871 recipients (8,995 in the COVID era, April 2018-February 2020), mean age 52 years, 62% men, 61% Caucasian, 32% ALD, 15% HCC, 30% ACLF grades 2-3, and mean MELD score 20.5), monthly LT changes were a decrease of 3.4% for overall LTs and 22% for HCC after September 2020, and increase of 4.5% for ALD since 11/2020 and 17% since 03/2021 for ACLF grade 2-3. Monthly MELD scores increased by 0.7 and 0.36 after June 2020 for HCV and HCC respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted LT activity, with a decrease of LTs especially for HCC, and an increase of LTs for ALD and severe ACLF. Strategies are needed to reorganize cirrhosis patients to overcome the aftereffects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk of further decompensation/mortality in patients with cirrhosis and ascites as the first single decompensation event

Background & AimsAlthough ascites is the most frequent first decompensating event in cirrhosis, the clinical course after ascites as the single index decompensation is not well defined. The aim of this multicentre study was thus to systematically investigate the incidence and type of further decompensation after ascites as the first decompensating event and to assess risk factors for mortality.MethodsA total of 622 patients with cirrhosis presenting with grade 2/3 ascites as the single index decompensating event at 2 university hospitals (Padova and Vienna) between 2003 and 2021 were included. Events of further decompensation, liver transplantation, and death were recorded.ResultsThe mean age was 57 ± 11 years, and most patients were male (n = 423, 68%) with alcohol-related (n = 366, 59%) and viral (n = 200,32%) liver disease as the main aetiologies. In total, 323 (52%) patients presented with grade 2 and 299 (48%) with grade 3 ascites. The median Child–Pugh score at presentation was 8 (IQR 7–9), and the mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) was 15 ± 6. During a median follow-up period of 49 months, 350 (56%) patients experienced further decompensation: refractory ascites (n = 130, 21%), hepatic encephalopathy (n = 112, 18%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (n = 32, 5%), hepatorenal syndrome–acute kidney injury (n = 29, 5%). Variceal bleeding as an isolated further decompensation event was rare (n = 18, 3%), whereas non-bleeding further decompensation (n = 161, 26%) and ≥2 concomitant further decompensation events (n = 171, 27%) were frequent. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was used in only 81 (13%) patients. In patients presenting with grade 2 ascites, MELD ≥15 indicated a considerable risk for further decompensation (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 2.18; p <0.001; 1-year incidences: <10: 10% vs. 10–14: 13% vs. ≥15: 28%) and of mortality (SHR 1.89; p = 0.004; 1-year incidences: <10: 3% vs. 10–14: 6% vs. ≥15: 14%). Importantly, mortality was similarly high throughout MELD strata in grade 3 ascites (p = n.s. for different MELD strata; 1-year incidences: <10: 14% vs. 10–14: 15% vs. ≥15: 20%).ConclusionsFurther decompensation is frequent in patients with ascites as a single index decompensation event and only rarely owing to bleeding. Although patients with grade 2 ascites and MELD <15 seem to have a favourable prognosis, those with grade 3 ascites are at a high risk of mortality across all MELD strata.Lay summaryDecompensation (the development of symptoms as a result of worsening liver function) marks a turning point in the disease course for patients with cirrhosis. Ascites (i.e., the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) is the most common first decompensating event, yet little is known about the clinical course of patients who develop ascites as a single first decompensating event. Herein, we show that the severity of ascites is associated with mortality and that in patients with moderate ascites, the widely used prognostic MELD score can predict patient outcomes.

Anaesthesia for Liver Transplantation

Abstract Since the first liver transplantation at the Kaunas Clinic of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS), in 2000, many changes have been implemented and an increasing number of cases led to the development of expertise. The aim of this article was to summarise 12-years out of liver transplantation experience. Data was obtained retrospectively from inpatient medical records at the Hospital of LUHS, Kaunas Clinic. All cases of liver transplantations from November 2009 to September 2021 were included (n = 96). The median age of transplant recipients was 50 years (IQR 46–56). Two-thirds of recipients were male (n = 66, 69%). The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 23 (SD 6). The most common indication for liver transplantation was hepatitis C virus-related end-stage liver disease (n = 24, 25%). Immediate extubation was performed with a median of 63% of cases (IQR 14.3–75.7%). We further compared data between the early (November 2009 – December 2015) and late phases (January 2016 – September 2021) of experience: the number of liver transplantation cases increased by 66% from 36 to 60), MELD scores stayed similar (an average of 22 vs 24, p = 0.282), and mean intraoperative time did not change significantly (543 minutes vs 496 minutes, p = 0.078). Liver transplantation has been gaining momentum in Lithuania. Increasing experience enables our centre to meet an increasing demand for liver transplantations.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage as an acute-on-chronic liver failure trigger in cirrhotic patients.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute decompensation of chronic liver disease associated with organ failures and very high short-term mortality. To assess the incidence and factors predisposing to ACLF in patients with liver cirrhosis hospitalized due to acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). We collected and retrospectively analyzed the data of 89 consecutive patients (59 males (66.2%), median age 53 years (range: 44-62 years), mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 14.42 ±6.5, median Child-Turcotte-Pugh score 10 (range: 8-11), and acute GIB (72 variceal bleeding and 17 non-variceal bleeding cases). Acute-on-chronic liver failure was diagnosed based on European Association for the Study of the Liver - Chronic Liver Failure Consortium definition. Twenty-seven (30.33%) patients met the criteria of ACLF during hospitalization: 8 (30%) had ACLF grade 1, 13 (48%) had ACLF grade 2 and 6 (22%) had ACLF grade 3. The most frequent organ failures were respiratory (22 (25%)), kidney (18 (20.23%)) and brain (17 (19.1%)) failure. The MELD score value, creatinine level and presence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) on admission were significant predictors of ACLF in the multivariate logistic regression model with optimal cutoff point for MELD score of 18.313 and optimal cutoff point for creatinine level of 1.35 mg/dL. In-hospital risk of ACLF in cirrhotic patients hospitalized for acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage is high despite successful arrest of bleeding. Elevated creatinine level, MELD score and the presence of HE on admission are the best predictors of ACLF during hospitalization in such patients.

Predictors of adverse maternal outcome in jaundiced pregnant women identified as having pregnancy-specific liver disease (P-sLD)

We aimed to study the factors including model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting mortality in women with pregnancy-specific liver diseases (P-sLD). A total of 154 women with clinical jaundice were studied of which 138 women were diagnosed with P-sLD. The most common P-sLD was HELLP syndrome (51.9%) followed by acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) (17.5%). The mean age was 26.3 ± 4.7 years and the mean gestational age was 35.1 ± 4.2 weeks. The maternal death rate was 26.8% and the most common cause was coagulopathy followed by sepsis. The mean MELD score among non survivors was 25.98 ± 8.17 compared to 17.29 ± 8.12 among survivors (p value .00). On univariate analysis, gestational age at admission, presence of hypertension, the platelet count, serum creatinine, INR and MELD score were found to significant. The AUC for INR (0.82) and MELD score (0.77) was better than platelet count (0.72) and serum creatinine (0.67). On multivariate analysis, only the INR and presence of AKI were found to be significantly associated with maternal mortality. The performance of INR was better than MELD score in predicting mortality in women with P-sLD. Additional factors like platelet count may be incorporated in to MELD score for the prediction of mortality in pregnant women. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Pregnancy-specific liver disorders (P-sLD) have significant effect on maternal and foetal outcome, often considered as a spectrum of disease with significant overlap of clinical and laboratory parameters. MELD score is used reliably outside the pregnancy to predict mortality may not be good in pregnant women. There are only few studies that looked at the factors predictive of adverse maternal outcome. What do the results of this study add? Though we have demonstrated that MELD score was significantly high among non-survivors, serum bilirubin an important component of MELD score was not found to be significant. The other factors which were found to be significant on univariate analysis include gestational age at admission, hypertension and platelet count. However, international normalised ratio (INR) and acute kidney injury (AKI) were the factors independently associated with mortality. What are the implications for clinical practice and/or further research? The utility of MELD score in P-sLD should be studied prospectively in different populations. Moreover, the feasibility of developing a simple model which incorporates platelet count in addition to other components of MELD score should also be explored in future studies.

Clinical Analysis of Factors Affecting Hospital Mortality After Liver Transplant in Patients With High Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score

This study was undertaken to identify poor prognostic factors in patients with high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. From September 2001 to December 2017, living donor liver transplant and deceased donor liver transplant were performed in 851 (84.4%) and 157 patients (15.6%), respectively, in our center. Eighty-one patients (8.0%) with MELD scores ≥ 35 were classified as patients with high MELD scores. The overall survival rates in patients with high MELD scores were significantly worse than those in patients with low MELD scores (P=.005). However, no significant difference in survival was found between the 2 groups when in-hospital mortality was excluded. In-hospital mortality occurred in 18 patients (22.2%), and the main cause of death was sepsis (n=14, 77.8%). On univariate analysis, the risk factors for in-hospital mortality were mean age (P=.028), mean MELD score (P=.045), intubation status (P < .001), culture positivity (P=.042), and encephalopathy grade 3 or 4 (P=.014). On multivariate analysis, age (P=.006), intubation status (P=.042), and culture positivity (P=.036) were significant. The main cause of in-hospital mortality was sepsis, and the risk factors for in-hospital mortality of patients with high MELD score were older age, preoperative intubation, and culture positivity. Special attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of infection in the liver transplant of patient with high MELD scores.

The Significant Morbidity and Mortality Indicators in Patients of Cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis progression varies greatly from patient to patient due to a variety of factors, including hepatic reserve, cirrhosis etiology, and the presence of hepatocellular cancer. As a result, determining a prognosis in a patient with cirrhosis remains a difficult task. For nearly three decades, the Child-Pugh score (CPS) has been the gold standard for determining the prognosis of cirrhosis. In the last two decades, many prognostic models and scores like a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (CLIF-SOFA) score, peripheral blood lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) have been presented to predict prognosis in patients with cirrhosis and to choose the best therapy option. The aim of our study is to determine which score is more effective in predicting three-month mortality and whether these scores are equally effective in predicting short-term outcomes.Materials & methods: In this hospital-based longitudinal study, we analyzed 140 patients with cirrhosis of liver visiting All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal between July 2019 and July 2020. All the 140 patients were followed up for three months to establish short-term outcomes. The blood investigations were done at the time of presentation from all the patients and after three months in the survivors. Various scores were calculated.Results: The majority of patients (47%) were in Child-Pugh class C. Mean MELD score was 13.54, LMR score was 1.96 and CLIF-SOFA score was 5. The total bilirubin, serum creatinine, international normalized ratio (INR), total leukocyte count, absolute monocyte count, CPS, MELD, CLIF-SOFA were significantly higher in a non-surviving group as compared to the surviving group, whereas the albumin and LMR significantly decreased in the non-surviving group. On performing multivariate regression, LMR and CLIF-SOFA were significant independent risk factors of mortality after adjusting for confounding factors. All the parameters had significant discriminatory power to predict mortality. Discriminatory power of CLIF-SOFA (AUC 0.808; 95% CI: 0.733 to 0.870) was excellent and discriminatory power of CPS (AUC 0.792; 95% CI: 0.716 to 0.856), MELD score (AUC 0.765; 95% CI: 0.685 to 0.832) and LMR (AUC 0.75; 95% CI: 0.669 to 0.819) was acceptable. Among all the parameters, CLIF-SOFA was the best predictor of mortality at a cut-off point of >5 with 80.80% chances of correctly predicting mortality.Conclusion: The significant morbidity and mortality indicators are high total bilirubin, high creatinine, high INR, high TLC, low platelet count, and low albumin. Among the various scores, CLIF-SOFA is a better predictor of mortality and morbidity. Low LMR and high CLIF-SOFA are significant independent risk factors of mortality at three months.

Health-related quality of life is dynamic in alcoholic hepatitis and responds to improvement in liver disease and reduced alcohol consumption.

The impact of alcoholic hepatitis (AH) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remains inadequately described. We aimed to characterize HRQOL in AH and heavy drinkers (HD), and its associations with clinical variables and outcomes. This is a post hoc analysis of participants in the Translational Research and Evolving Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment 001 study (NCT02172898). HRQOL was measured using Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Mean SF-36 scores were compared in AH and HD with two-sample t-tests. Associations among clinical characteristics, 30-day mortality, and SF-36 mental and physical component scores (MC, PC) were investigated with generalized linear and logistic multivariate regression models. Trends of MC and PC scores were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Participants with AH (n=258) and HD (n=181) were similar demographically. AH cases had a mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 23 (7). AH cases had lower PC scores [37 (10) vs. 48 (11), p<0.001] but higher MC scores [37 (13) vs. 32 (13), p<0.001]. MC scores were independently associated with age, male gender, and daily alcohol consumption; PC scores were independently associated with age, BMI, alanine aminotransferase concentration, alkaline phosphatase concentration, white blood cell counts, and the presence of ascites. With each 5-point decrease in the baseline PC score, the adjusted odds of dying within 30days increased by 26.7% (95% CI 1% to 46%). Over time, HRQOL in AH improved (day 0 to day 180 delta PC score: 4.5±1.7, p=0.008; delta MC score: 9.8±2.0, p<0.001). Participants with a MELD score <15 by day 180 had greater increases in PC scores than those with MELD score ≥15 (delta PC score 7.1±1.8 vs. -0.7±2.3, p=0.009), while those abstinent by day 180 had greater increases in MC scores than those who were not abstinent (delta MC score 9.1±1.8 vs. 2.8±2.4, p=0.044). HRQOL is poor in AH and HD in a domain-specific pattern. Independent of MELD score, lower baseline HRQOL is associated with higher 30-day mortality. Over time, HRQOL improves with greater gains seen in individuals with improved MELD scores and those who were abstinent.

Association of acidosis with coagulopathy and transfusion requirements in liver transplantation.

The relationship between acidosis and coagulopathy has long been described in vitro and in trauma patients, but not yet in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The association of metabolic acidosis with coagulopathy and with transfusion requirements was evaluated in patients submitted to OLT. Changes in acid-base and coagulation parameters were analyzed by repeated measures. Regression analyses [adjusted for sex, age, model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score, and baseline values of hemoglobin, fibrinogen, international normalized ratio, platelets] determined the association of acid-base parameters with coagulation markers and transfusion requirement. We included 95 patients, 66% were male, 49.5% of the patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and the mean MELD score was 20.4 (SD 8.9). The values of all the coagulation and acid-base parameters significantly changed during OLT, particularly in the reperfusion phase. After adjustments for baseline parameters, the decrease in pH and base excess (BE) values were associated with a decrease in fibrinogen levels (mean decrease of fibrinogen level = 14.88mg/dL per 0.1 unit reduction of pH values and 3.6mg/dL per 1 mmol/L reduction of BE levels) and an increase in red blood cells transfusion (2.16 units of RBC per 0.1 unit reduction of pH and 0.38 units of RBC per 1 mmol/L reduction of BE levels). Among multiple factors potentially associated with adverse outcomes, decreasing pH levels were independently associated with the length of hospitalization but not with in-hospital mortality. Metabolic acidosis is independently associated with decreased fibrinogen levels and increased intraoperative transfusion requirement during OLT. Awareness of that association may improve treatment strategies to reduce intraoperative bleeding risk in OLT.

O-3 TRENDS IN DECEASED DONOR AND LIVING DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANTATION IN LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES DURING A DECADE (2010-2019) . THE ALEH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INTERNATIONAL SURVEY 2020

Brazilian public health system currently provides universal free all oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite high rates of sustained virological response (SVR), patients with cirrhosis remain at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, risk factors and tumor pattern at presentation in a cohort of Brazilian HCV-related cirrhotic patients treated with DAAs. This prospective cohort study included patients with HCV-related cirrhosis treated with DAAs and followed for at least 24 weeks after therapy at the Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between August 2016 and November 2017. Ultrasound screening was performed within 24 weeks before DAA therapy and patients with presumed past or current HCC were excluded. Primary outcome was HCC incidence. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for HCC ocurrence and tumor pattern at presentation. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent variables associated with HCC development. A total of 234 patients with HCV cirrhosis were included. Fifty-six percent were males with a mean age of 61.2±10.9 years. Overall SVR was 97.4%. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) A, B and C at baseline was found, respectively, in 89.3%, 9.4% and 1,3%. Mean Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 9.17 ± 2.82. Esophageal varices were found in 43.6% of the patients. Type 2 diabetes was present in 18.8%. De novo HCC was diagnosed in 9% (21/234) of the patients during follow-up. Tumor pattern at presentation according to BCLC staging was 0, A, B, C and D in 19,1%, 47.6%, 4.8%, 28.6% and 0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed significant relative risk (RR) for HCC occurrence associated with the following variables: baseline MELD score ≥10 (RR: 1.8; p =0.05); absence of SVR (RR: 6.9; p =0.04); baseline platelet count <120 × 10 9 /L (RR: 5.0; p =0.04) and baseline albumin level <3.5 mg/dL (RR: 4.6. A high incidence of HCC was found after DAA therapy compared to the literature, particularly among patients with more advanced cirrhosis, particularly those with baseline albumin levels < 3.5 g/dL plus platelets < 120 × 10 9 /L. Absence of SVR was also significantly associated with HCC development. The majority of patients presented with very early (BCLC 0) or early (BCLC A) HCC, although a significant proportion showed advanced stage (BCLC C) at presentation.

O-19 INCIDENCE, PATTERN OF PRESENTATION AND RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AFTER DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS CIRRHOSIS

Brazilian public health system currently provides universal free all oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite high rates of sustained virological response (SVR), patients with cirrhosis remain at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, risk factors and tumor pattern at presentation in a cohort of Brazilian HCV-related cirrhotic patients treated with DAAs. This prospective cohort study included patients with HCV-related cirrhosis treated with DAAs and followed for at least 24 weeks after therapy at the Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between August 2016 and November 2017. Ultrasound screening was performed within 24 weeks before DAA therapy and patients with presumed past or current HCC were excluded. Primary outcome was HCC incidence. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for HCC ocurrence and tumor pattern at presentation. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent variables associated with HCC development. A total of 234 patients with HCV cirrhosis were included. Fifty-six percent were males with a mean age of 61.2±10.9 years. Overall SVR was 97.4%. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) A, B and C at baseline was found, respectively, in 89.3%, 9.4% and 1,3%. Mean Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 9.17 ± 2.82. Esophageal varices were found in 43.6% of the patients. Type 2 diabetes was present in 18.8%. De novo HCC was diagnosed in 9% (21/234) of the patients during follow-up. Tumor pattern at presentation according to BCLC staging was 0, A, B, C and D in 19,1%, 47.6%, 4.8%, 28.6% and 0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed significant relative risk (RR) for HCC occurrence associated with the following variables: baseline MELD score ≥10 (RR: 1.8; p =0.05); absence of SVR (RR: 6.9; p =0.04); baseline platelet count <120 × 10 9 /L (RR: 5.0; p =0.04) and baseline albumin level <3.5 mg/dL (RR: 4.6. A high incidence of HCC was found after DAA therapy compared to the literature, particularly among patients with more advanced cirrhosis, particularly those with baseline albumin levels < 3.5 g/dL plus platelets < 120 × 10 9 /L. Absence of SVR was also significantly associated with HCC development. The majority of patients presented with very early (BCLC 0) or early (BCLC A) HCC, although a significant proportion showed advanced stage (BCLC C) at presentation.