Comparison of different prognostic scores for patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introduction and Objectives: Viral infections have been described to increase the risk of decompensation in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on outcome of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and to compare the performance of different prognostic models for predicting mortality. Patients: We performed a prospective cohort study including 2211 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from April 15, 2020 through October 1, 2020 in 38 Hospitals from 11 Latin American countries. We registered clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with and without cirrhosis. All patients were followed until discharge or death. We evaluated the prognostic performance of different scoring systems to predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis using ROC curves. Results: Overall, 4.6% (CI 3.7–5.6) subjects had cirrhosis (n = 96). Baseline Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class was assessed: CTP-A (23%), CTP-B (45%) and CTP-C (32%); median MELD-Na score was 19 (IQR 14−25). Mortality was 47% in patients with cirrhosis and 16% in patients without cirrhosis (P 30. The areas under the ROC curves for performance evaluation in predicting 28-days mortality for Chronic Liver Failure Consortium (CLIF-C), North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD), CTP score and MELD-Na were 0.85, 0.75, 0.69, 0.67; respectively (P < .0001). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with elevated mortality in patients with cirrhosis. CLIFC had better performance in predicting mortality than NACSELD, CTP and MELD-Na in patients with cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT04358380.Fil: Mendizabal, Manuel. Universidad Austral; Argentina. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; ArgentinaFil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; Argentina. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Piñero, Federico. Universidad Austral; Argentina. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; ArgentinaFil: Anders, Margarita. Hospital Alemán; Argentina. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; ArgentinaFil: Padilla, Martín Jesus. Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen; PerúFil: Toro, Luis G.. Fundación de Medellín y Rionegro; ColombiaFil: Torre, Aldo. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición; MéxicoFil: Montes, Pedro. Hospital Nacional Daniel A. Carrión; ArgentinaFil: Urzúa, Alvaro. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Gonzalez Ballerga, Esteban. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Silveyra, María Dolores. Sanatorio Anchorena; ArgentinaFil: Michelato, Douglas. Hospital Especializado en Enfermedades Infecciosas Instituto Couto Maia; BrasilFil: Díaz, Javier. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; PerúFil: Peralta, Mirta. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: Pages, Josefina. Universidad Austral; Argentina. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; ArgentinaFil: García, Sandro Ruiz. Hospital de Víctor Lazarte Echegaray; PerúFil: Gutierrez Lozano, Isabel. Centro Médico ABC; MéxicoFil: Macias, Yuridia. IMSS Hospital General Regional No. 1 “Dr. Carlos Mc Gregor Sánchez”; MéxicoFil: Cocozzella, Daniel. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; Argentina. Hospital Italiano de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Chavez Tapia, Norberto. Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation; MéxicoFil: Tagle, Martín. Clínica Anglo-Americana; PerúFil: Dominguez, Alejandra. Hospital Padre Hurtado; ChileFil: Varón, Adriana. Red Latinoamericana de Concientización y Educación en Investigación del Hígado; Argentina. Fundación Cardio Infantil; ColombiaFil: Vera Pozo, Emilia. Hospital Regional Dr. Teodoro Maldonado Carbo del IESS; EcuadorFil: Higuera de la Tijera, Fátima. Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”; MéxicoFil: Bustios, Carla. Fundación Cardio Infantil; ColombiaFil: Conte, Damián. Hospital Privado de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Escajadillo, Nataly. Universidad Austral; ArgentinaFil: Rubinstein, Fernando Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Hospital Especializado en Enfermedades Infecciosas Instituto Couto Maia; BrasilFil: Tenorio, Laura. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; Per

Prospective Latin American cohort evaluating outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and abnormal liver tests on admission

Introduction & objectives: The independent effect of liver biochemistries as a prognostic factor in patients with COVID-19 has not been completely addressed. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of abnormal liver tests on admission of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials & methods: We performed a prospective cohort study including 1611 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from April 15, 2020 through July 31, 2020 in 38 different Hospitals from 11 Latin American countries. We registered clinical and laboratory parameters, including liver function tests, on admission and during hospitalization. All patients were followed until discharge or death. We fit multivariable logistic regression models, further post-estimation effect through margins and inverse probability weighting. Results: Overall, 57.8% of the patients were male with a mean age of 52.3 years, 8.5% had chronic liver disease and 3.4% had cirrhosis. Abnormal liver tests on admission were present on 45.2% (CI 42.7–47.7) of the cohort (n = 726). Overall, 15.1% (CI 13.4–16.9) of patients died (n = 244). Patients with abnormal liver tests on admission presented higher mortality 18.7% (CI 15.9–21.7), compared to those with normal liver biochemistries 12.2% (CI 10.1–14.6); P 30. Conclusions: The presence of abnormal liver tests on admission is independently associated with mortality and severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection and may be used as surrogate marker of inflammation.Fil: Mendizabal, Manuel. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Piñero, Federico. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Anders, Margarita. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Silveyra, María Dolores. Sanatorio Anchorena; ArgentinaFil: Torre, Aldo. Centro Médico ABC; MéxicoFil: Montes, Pedro. Hospital Nacional Daniel A. Carrión; PerúFil: Urzúa, Alvaro. Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Pages, Josefina. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Toro, Luis G.. Hospitales de San Vicente Fundación de Medellín y Rionegro; ColombiaFil: Díaz, Javier. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; PerúFil: Gonzalez Ballerga, Esteban. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Miranda Zazueta, Godolfino. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición; MéxicoFil: Peralta, Mirta. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez, Isabel. Centro Médico ABC; MéxicoFil: Michelato, Douglas. Hospital Especializado en Enfermedades Infecciosas Instituto Couto Maia; BrasilFil: Venturelli, Maria Grazia. Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen; PerúFil: Varón, Adriana. Fundación Cardio-Infantil; ColombiaFil: Vera Pozo, Emilia. Hospital Regional Dr. Teodoro Maldonado Carbo; EcuadorFil: Tagle, Martín. Clínica Anglo-Americana; PerúFil: García, Matías. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Tassara, Alfredo. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Brutti, Julia. Sanatorio Anchorena; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz García, Sandro. Hospital de Víctor Lazarte Echegaray; PerúFil: Bustios, Carla. Clínica Delgado; PerúFil: Escajadillo, Nataly. Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo; PerúFil: Macias, Yuridia. No especifíca;Fil: Higuera de la Tijera, Fátima. Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga"; MéxicoFil: Gómez, Andrés J.. Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá; ColombiaFil: Dominguez, Alejandra. Hospital Padre Hurtado; ChileFil: Castillo Barradas, Mauricio. Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza; MéxicoFil: Contreras, Fernando. No especifíca;Fil: Scarpin, Aldana. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Schinoni, Maria Isabel. Hospital Alianza; BrasilFil: Toledo, Claudio. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Girala, Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Asunción; ParaguayFil: Mainardi, Victoria. Hospital Central De las Fuerzas Armadas; UruguayFil: Sanchez, Abel. Hospital Roosevelt; GuatemalaFil: Bessone, Fernando. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud y Medio Ambiente - Rosario. Hospital Provincial del Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Rubinstein, Fernando Adrian. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Marcelo Oscar. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; Argentin

Efficacy of omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate treatment in gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN Los inhibidores de la bomba de protones son la terapia médica más efectiva para la enfermedad de reflujo gastroesofágico, pero su inicio de acción puede ser lento. OBJETIVO Evaluar la literatura referida a la eficacia del omeprazol y bicarbonato de sodio en la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. MÉTODOS Revisión sistemática de la literatura desde el año 2000. Se revisaron los manuscritos relativos a la efectividad del tratamiento de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. Se extrajo la información relevante, la cual fue subsecuentemente analizada con estadística descriptiva. RESULTADOS Se incluyó información de cuatro estudios. Dos estudios compararon la eficacia de omeprazol y bicarbonato de sodio versus omeprazol, y un estudio comparó la eficacia de la dosis diaria matutina con la nocturna. El otro estudio comparó omeprazol más bicarbonato de sodio y alginato versus omeprazol. No hubo diferencia entre omeprazol con bicarbonato de sodio y omeprazol. Sin embargo, hubo una tendencia hacia una respuesta más sostenida y una mayor proporción de alivio total sostenido por 30 minutos con omeprazol y bicarbonato de sodio. CONCLUSIÓN La terapia con omeprazol y bicarbonato de sodio no es más efectiva que el omeprazol en el tratamiento de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. Sin embargo, la información sugiere que puede tener una respuesta más sostenida y un alivio total de mayor duración

Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders related to COVID-19. Lessons learned from gastroenterologists

COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 but can also lead to GI symptoms. The primary host receptor which mediates the mechanism as SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell is the ACE2 receptor. Therefore, GI symptoms can be common in COVID-19, and in some cases, they are the first manifestation even before fever and respiratory symptoms. In addition, the liver function tests alteration often is related to a worse prognosis. The exact incidence of GI symptoms is a matter of debate. Moreover, wide variation concerning GI symptoms frequency exists, but the predominant ones seem to be diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or discomfort. This review summarizes the most relevant findings of COVID-19 on the digestive system, including the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, the most common GI symptoms, and the atypical clinical GI manifestations

Critical analysis of studies evaluating the efficacy of infusion of L-ornithine L-aspartate in clinical hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver failure

Introduction. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) refers to a complex neuropsychiatry syndrome that is progressive but potentially reversible and may have a significant impact on quality of life, as it is characterized by alterations in cognitive function, behavior and personality as well as transient neurological symptoms and electroencephalographic abnormalities.Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate scientific evidence for the effectiveness and safety of LOLA infusions for treatment of clinical hepatic encephalopathy in patients with chronic liver disease.Material and methods. We included all randomized, controlled, double-blind, and humans' studies that were published in indexed journals.Results. Were identified 48 references (17 using PubMed, 12 using Medline and 19 using the Cochrane database). Of these, six were selected as having met the inclusion criteria. A total of 623 patients were randomized in these publications.Conclusion. The available scientific evidence supports the adoption of LOLA infusion as a treatment for clinical encephalopathy in patients with liver failure, because it has been shown to improve neuropsychiatry status and decrease serum levels of ammonia with a low incidence of adverse effects (less than 5%)