COVID-19 in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis

The aim of the study. To analyze the course of COVID-19 infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Materials and methods. In a single-center retrospective study, survey and analysis of medical records of 144 patients with PBC was carried out.Results. All patients (n = 144) received basic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 5 of them received fibrates as well. Response to therapy (EASL criteria) was obtained in 30 people. Between March 2020 and March 2021, 50 patients (34.7 %) suffered COVID-19, with mean age of 58.8 ± 10.7 years, 16 of which were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Mild COVID-19 was observed in 34 (68 %) people, moderate course — in 14 (28 %), severe — in 2 (4 %), cases of extremely severe course were not recorded. 12 patients were hospitalized, 8 of which received oxygen therapy due to a decrease in SpO2 < 94 %, there was no need for the use of other methods of oxygen therapy in any case. The duration of hospitalization was 11.4 ± 5.7 days. There was a higher initial activity of serum alkaline phosphatase (1.8 ± 1.0 versus 1.7 ± 1.4 times of the upper limit of normal, M ± SD, p = 0.04) in patients with COVID-19 infection and lack of UDCA therapy effectiveness was more prominent (40 % vs. 19.1 % of cases, p = 0.04) compared with patients who did not have COVID-19. There were no significant differences in characteristics of the course of PBC (stage, response to therapy) and age in correlation with severity of the course of COVID-19. Among hospitalized patients and those in need of oxygen support, large proportion were older patients (58.3 % and 62.5 %, respectively) and patients with concomitant diseases (62.5 % and 75 %, respectively). Patients who hadn`t previously responded to UDCA therapy were more likely to require oxygen support compared to patients responding to basic therapy (p < 0.01).Conclusion. PBC is not a risk factor for severe COVID-19. A protective effect of UDCA in SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible, which requires further investigation

Steatotic Liver Disease: New Nomenclature and Its Localization in the Russian Federation

Aim: localization of the new nomenclature of steatotic liver disease in Russian clinical practice.Key points. In 2023, international consensus decided to introduce a new nomenclature for steatotic liver disease. The article discusses the reasons for the change in nomenclature and the new terms adopted: steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction and alcohol associated steatotic liver disease. Adapting new terms to Russian healthcare poses a certain problem. The results of voting by Russian doctors on the introduction of new terms and their optimal translation are presented. A comparison of existing classifiers with new terms was carried out and the formulation of diagnoses was discussed taking into account the new nomenclature.Conclusions. Adaptation and implementation of new nomenclature into clinical practice is an important and complex task, in which it is necessary to maintain a balance between a progressive concept and the interests of practical healthcare

Important problems in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (based on the Russian consensus 2017)

The analysis of publications devoted to the Russian Consensus on the Diagnostic and Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), which was considered at the 43rd annual Scientific Session of the CNIIG From Traditions to Innovation (March 4, 2017) is carried out. The presence of clear algorithms and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of AIH significantly help the doctor in real clinical practice, but do not exclude a personified approach to the patient

Mixed steatohepatitis: more questions than answers (Part 1)

The term steatohepatitis is used for a heterogeneous group of diseases of various etiologies, characterized by a similar morphological picture. Earlier the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease implied the exclusion of other causes of steatohepatitis, in recent years it has been suggested that a combination of various etiological variants of steatohepatitis is possible. The review considers the terminological, epidemiological and pathogenetic aspects of the most common combination: metabolic and alcoholic genesis, the issues of the mutual influence of etiopathogenetic factors and the identification of the predominant process. Issues of existing and prospective pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy are discussed in detail. Treatment of steatohepatitis is based on the elimination of known causal factors and lifestyle modification; therapy includes medications, that have been proven to be effective in certain types of steatohepatitis and symptomatic therapy as well

Detectability of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis with Transient Elastography and Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Residents of St. Petersburg

Aim. Estimation of the liver steatosis and fibrosis incidence with transient elastography and the controlled attenuation parameter in residents of St. Petersburg.Materials and methods. A prospective open single-centre population study included history, anthropometric and laboratory data on 318 outpatients aged 24—89 years (mean age 52.6 ± 14.6 years). The degrees of steatosis (assessed with the controlled attenuation parameter as ultrasound amplitude dropdown quantification in liver) and fibrosis were determined with a Fibroscan 502 Touch unit (Echosens, France).Results. Hepatic steatosis of predominantly high degree was revealed in 44.7%, combined fibrosis and steatosis — in 28%; isolated fibrosis of various stage — in 2.5%, no structural changes — in 24.8% individuals. The growth of body mass index and waist circumference significantly correlated in women with pronounced liver changes. Serum transaminase activity increased with more severe liver changes, being statistically significant for aspartic transaminase only.Conclusion. A high incidence of primary liver steatosis and fibrosis in residents of St. Petersburg warrants improved diagnostic algorithms and routine preventive measures. Transient elastography with the controlled attenuation parameter estimation provides a convenient non-invasive screening for hepatic fibrosis and steatosis

Drug-induced liver injury in cancer patients

This review includes information about epidemiological data, development feature, phenotypes, principles of classification, diagnosis, and prognosis for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Actual clinical recommendations regarding management of the DILI arising in the chemotherapy of cancer discussed. Drugs that can influence on individual pathogenetic mechanisms of growth and symptoms DILI are considered. Clinical studies for the prophylaxis and treatment of DILI associated with anticancer chemotherapy analyzed in detail. The prevention and treatment regimens for DILI in patients receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy various localizations of cancer given both in research and in practical recommendations

INCIDENCE OF AUTOANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE LIVER DISEASES AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Abstract. Detection of circulating autoantibodies provides valuable diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). In this study, a panel of autoantibodies (ANA, ASMA, AMA) and ANCA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence assay in 191 patients, including those with AIH type 1 (n = 42), with PBC (n = 39), with overlapping AIH-1/PBC syndrome (n = 20), and 100 patients with viral hepatitis С (HCV). Autoantibodies against PDC/AMA-M2, M2-3E, PML, Sp100, gp210, SSA-Ro52, SLA/LP, LC-1 were detected by means of immune blotting in 53 patients with autoimmune liver diseases (AIH, 19; PBC, 23; AIH/PBC, 11). ANA were detected in 88.1% of AIH-1 patients, 89.7% of PBC cases, and 100% of combined AIH-1/PBC syndrome, with highest ANA titers observed in the latter group. In patients with HCV, ANA were detected in 20%, and ASMA in 2% of the cases.ASMA and ANCA were found in monovariant AIH only (61.9% for ASMA, р < 0.001), and 35.7% for ANCA (р < 0.01). Anti-SLA/LP were detected in 15% of AIH patients, mostly with negative ANA and ASMA. PDC/AMA-M2 were identified in all patients with PBC and AIH-1/PBC, whereas AMA was detectable in 84.6% of PBC patients. Anti-M2-3E antibodies were found only in patients with PBC including those with an overlap syndrome. Occurence of detectable antibodies to gp210, Sp100, PML and SSA-Ro52 was similar in all groups. In our study, we have not confirmed a view that anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies are highly specific for primary biliary cirrhosis

Drug-Induced Liver Injuries (Clinical Guidelines for Physicians)

Aim. Clinical guidelines for the management of adult patients suffering from drug-induced liver injuries (DILI) are intended for all medical specialists, who treat such patients in their clinical practice.Key findings. The presented recommendations contain information about the epidemiological data, terminology, diagnostic principles, classification, prognosis and management of patients with DILI. The recommendations list pharmacological agents that most commonly cause DILI, including its fatal cases. Dose-dependent and predictable (hepatotoxic), as well as dose-independent and unpredictable (idiosyncratic) DILI forms are described in detail, which information has a particular practical significance. The criteria and types of DILI are described in detail, with the most reliable diagnostic and prognostic scales and indices being provided. The pathogenesis and risk factors for the development of DILI are considered. The clinical and morphological forms (phenotypes) of DILI are described. The diseases that are included into the differential diagnosis of DILI, as well as the principles of its implementation, are given. The role and significance of various diagnostic methods for examining a patient with suspected DILI is described, with the liver biopsy role being discussed. Clinical situations, in which DILI can acquire a chronic course, are described. A section on the assessment of causal relationships in the diagnosis of DILI is presented; the practical value of using the CIOMS-RUCAM scale is shown. All possible therapeutic measures and pharmacological approaches to the treatment of patients with various DILI phenotypes are investigated in detail. A particular attention is paid to the use of glucocorticosteroids in the treatment of DILI.Conclusion. The presented clinical recommendations are important for improving the quality of medical care in the field of hepatology

Drug-Induced Liver Injuries (Clinical Guidelines for Physicians)

Aim. Clinical guidelines for the management of adult patients suffering from drug-induced liver injuries (DILI) are intended for all medical specialists, who treat such patients in their clinical practice.Key findings. The presented recommendations contain information about the epidemiological data, terminology, diagnostic principles, classification, prognosis and management of patients with DILI. The recommendations list pharmacological agents that most commonly cause DILI, including its fatal cases. Dose-dependent and predictable (hepatotoxic), as well as dose-independent and unpredictable (idiosyncratic) DILI forms are described in detail, which information has a particular practical significance. The criteria and types of DILI are described in detail, with the most reliable diagnostic and prognostic scales and indices being provided. The pathogenesis and risk factors for the development of DILI are considered. The clinical and morphological forms (phenotypes) of DILI are described. The diseases that are included into the differential diagnosis of DILI, as well as the principles of its implementation, are given. The role and significance of various diagnostic methods for examining a patient with suspected DILI is described, with the liver biopsy role being discussed. Clinical situations, in which DILI can acquire a chronic course, are described. A section on the assessment of causal relationships in the diagnosis of DILI is presented; the practical value of using the CIOMS-RUCAM scale is shown. All possible therapeutic measures and pharmacological approaches to the treatment of patients with various DILI phenotypes are investigated in detail. A particular attention is paid to the use of glucocorticosteroids in the treatment of DILI.Conclusion. The presented clinical recommendations are important for improving the quality of medical care in the field of hepatology