Publications by authors named "George Cholankeril"

Article Synopsis
  • New terminology for liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatotic liver disease (SLD), has been proposed by experts, prompting a study on their prevalence in the U.S.
  • Analysis of data from 12,199 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2023) revealed that 35% had SLD, with 31.9% specifically classified as MASLD, and a lower prevalence for alcohol-related liver diseases.
  • Despite stable overall prevalence of SLD during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant rise in cases of advanced fibrosis, especially in alcohol-related liver disease, which was found to have twice the rate of advanced fibrosis
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Background: Body fat distribution may impact nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and significant fibrosis differently according to race/ethnicity. We determined the relationship between body fat distribution and NAFLD/significant fibrosis according to race/ethnicity.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2,395 participants used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 to 2018.

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Importance: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an increasing cause of cirrhosis. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are effective in improving liver inflammation in patients with MASLD.

Objective: To determine whether use of GLP-1 RAs is associated with lower risk of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including decompensation and hepatocellular cancer (HCC), among patients with MASLD.

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Background And Aim: Several reports show a significant association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and arterial stiffness (estimated pulse wave velocity [ePWV]) as a surrogate marker of vascular age. We investigate whether ePWV as arterial stiffness in MASLD is associated with all-cause/cause-specific mortality.

Methods: This cohort study was based on the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1988-1994) and NHANES 2007-2014 and linked mortality datasets through 2019.

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Background: Recently, a panel of multi-society experts proposed steatotic liver disease (SLD) as an alternative terminology for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Aims: We compared the impact of SLD, subtype of SLD, MAFLD and NAFLD on all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Methods: A total of 7811 individuals in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and linked mortality through 2019 were analysed.

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Objectives: We investigated the current prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and fibrosis/cirrhosis and identified at-risk populations for MASLD and MASLD-related fibrosis among US adolescents and young adults in the United States.

Methods: Utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020, the prevalence of MASLD and fibrosis/cirrhosis was assessed via controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score and liver stiffness measurements by transient elastography in participants aged 12-29 years with at least one cardiometabolic criteria and absence of other chronic liver disease. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of MASLD and MASLD-related fibrosis.

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Background/aims: The global proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) attributable to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is unclear. The MAFLD diagnostic criteria allows objective diagnosis in the presence of steatosis plus defined markers of metabolic dysfunction, irrespective of concurrent liver disease. We aimed to determine the total global prevalence of MAFLD in HCC cohorts (total-MAFLD), including the proportion with MAFLD as their sole liver disease (single-MAFLD), and the proportion of those with concurrent liver disease where MAFLD was a contributary factor (mixed-MAFLD).

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Background: We studied the temporal trends of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related hospitalizations and potential predictors of in-hospital mortality around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Design And Methods: Using the International Classification of Diseases code, we used the National Inpatient Sample 2019-2020 and defined HCC and its underlying etiology. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization and in-hospital mortality, the study period was divided into the pre-COVID-19 era (2019 Q1-2020 Q1) and the COVID-19 era (2020 Q2-2020 Q4).

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Purpose: Studies evaluating food insecurity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and significant hepatic fibrosis are currently scarce. We evaluated the characteristics of food insecure individuals and whether food insecurity was associated with MASLD and significant hepatic fibrosis in the US population.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018, 3441 participants with complete data were enrolled.

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Importance: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its mortality are on the rise. Viral hepatitis and alcohol are leading risk factors; however, other risk factors among veterans are less defined, including Agent Orange (AO), an herbicide linked to several cancers.

Objective: To assess the association of AO exposure and HCC in a national cohort of Vietnam veterans.

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Background And Aims: Sex steroid hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) have a role in predisposing individuals to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their effects are known to differ between men and women. The testosterone-to-estradiol ratio (T/E2 ratio) and free androgen index (FAI) were known biomarkers for the hormonal milieu. We investigated whether sex steroid hormones, T/E2 ratio, FAI, and SHBG were associated with NAFLD in US adults.

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Background: Cardiovascular disease commonly affects advanced liver disease patients. They undergo cardiac interventions to improve cardiac outcomes. Cirrhosis increases complication risk, including bleeding, renal and respiratory failure, and further decompensation, including death, posing a clinical dilemma to proceduralists.

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Background And Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached pandemic proportions. Early detection can identify at-risk patients who can be linked to hepatology care. The vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is biopsy validated to diagnose hepatic steatosis (HS).

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