Multidetector computed tomography versus platelet/spleen diameter ratio as methods for the detection of gastroesophageal varices.

Background: All patients with liver cirrhosis should undergo screening endoscopy, but there are limitations and this approach places a heavy burden upon endoscopy units. The aim of this study was to compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and the platelet/spleen diameter ratio as non-invasive methods for the detection of gastroesophageal varices.

Methods: The study included 38 cirrhotics who underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and MDCT within one month.

Higher free serum cortisol is associated with worse survival in acute variceal bleeding because of cirrhosis: a prospective study.

Background And Aims: Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency has been reported in acute variceal bleeding (AVB). In cirrhosis, free serum cortisol (FC) is considered optimal to assess adrenal function. Salivary cortisol (SC) is considered a surrogate for FC.

Acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers in Western Greece.

Health care personnel are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. The aim of the present study was to investigate hepatitis B (HB) knowledge and vaccination acceptance among health care personnel in southwestern Greece, using the Hepatitis B Vaccine Knowledge and Acceptance Questionnaire. One hundred eighty-three employees participated (71 males).

Granulomas Formation in Lymph Nodes, Liver and Spleen in Adult-Onset Still's Disease: A Case Report.

Tissue granulomas formation in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is extremely rare. We describe a case of AOSD associated with formation of granulomatous lesions in lymph nodes, liver and presumably spleen. The high dose steroid-dependent nature of our patient's illness, characterized by disease relapses when methylprednisolone dose was reduced below 10 mg/d, was overwhelmed with institution of anakinra (100 mg/d).

Hepatitis C in patients with β-thalassemia major. A single-centre experience.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and iron overload are the main causes of liver disease in β-thalassemia major (βTM). There is limited data regarding the course of CHC in this population. All patients (n=144) from the thalassemia centre of the University Hospital of Patras were evaluated (January 1981 to June 2012).

Suppurative necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis in adult-onset Still's disease: a case report.

Introduction: Lymphadenopathy is found in about 65% of patients with adult-onset Still's disease and is histologically characterized by an intense, paracortical immunoblastic hyperplasia. Adult-onset Still's disease has not been previously described as an etiology of suppurative necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis.

Case Presentation: We describe a 27-year-old Greek man who manifested prolonged fever, abdominal pain, increased inflammatory markers, episodic skin rash and mesenteric lymphadenopathy histologically characterized by necrotizing granulomatous adenitis with central suppuration.

Abnormal liver function tests in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1, also known as Steinert's disease, is a multisystemic disorder with significant genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Apart from skeletal muscles' myotonia and wasting, a variety of system organs can be affected. We report on a 49 years old female patient with unremarkable medical and family history, who presented with elevated liver enzymes without signs or symptoms of chronic liver disease neither neurological features.

Lapatinib-induced hepatitis: a case report.

Lapatinib is an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinases of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor type 1, with clinical activity in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. We present here a 60 year-old patient with metastatic breast cancer who presented with jaundice and increased serum aminotransferase levels and who had been treated with lapatinib for the previous 14 days. Laboratory tests excluded other causes of acute liver injury.

Fatigue and depressive symptoms associated with chronic viral hepatitis patients. health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Background And Rationale: It is well established that chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) negatively affects patients . health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which fatigue and depressive symptoms are associated with CVH patients.

Prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in multitransfused patients with beta-thalassemia.

Aim: To detect the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies in adult multitransfused beta-thalassemic patients.

Methods: We studied 182 adult beta-thalassemic patients and 209 controls matched for age and sex from the same geographic area, at the same time. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies, viral markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were evaluated.

Neuropsychological function in Greek patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Research has shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with subclinical neuropsychological deficits in the absence of hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods: The current study assessed 32 Greek HCV patients without hepatic encephalopathy using standardized neuropsychological measures and compared them with 20 healthy controls and 29 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. Patients and controls did not differ on age, educational level, depression or fatigue severity.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection and to compare it with that of HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.

Methods: Forty-nine patients on maintenance hemodialysis and 48 HCV-infected but otherwise normal patients, both groups HCV RNA-positive and HBsAg-negative and matched for age and sex, were evaluated for the presence of HBV DNA in serum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A proportion of patients (11/49 and 39/48, respectively) were also examined for HBV antigens in hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry.

Prevalence of liver steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a study of associated factors and of relationship with fibrosis.

Objectives: The clinical significance of hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis B virus patients is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors for liver steatosis in chronic hepatitis B patients and its relationship with fibrosis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis B treated in our department.

Cryoglobulinemia and progression of fibrosis in chronic HCV infection: cause or effect?

Objectives: Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is the most common extrahepatic manifestation of HCV infection. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of MC in HCV infected Greek patients and to identify if it is associated with liver histology or the mode of HCV transmission.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-six patients with chronic HCV infection were evaluated for the presence of serum cryoglobulins, autoantibodies and viral markers.

Viraemia, cryoglobulins and autoantibodies in haemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis C virus.

Objectives: The clinical features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depend on the immune and autoimmune reactions induced by the virus. Chronic renal failure might alter the pattern of these reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cryoglobulinaemia, the frequency of autoantibodies and HCV viral load in HCV infected Greek patients on chronic haemodialysis.