Outcomes of liver transplantation in patients 70 years or older: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction And Objectives: The rate of liver transplantation is increasing among the elderly population; however, data is limited on the post-liver transplantation outcomes in patients ≥70 years. Given the scarcity in liver allograft resources, a meta-analysis on the outcomes of liver transplantation in patients ≥70 years is warranted.

Materials And Methods: Multiple databases were searched through March 2022 for studies that reported on the outcomes of liver-transplantation in patients ≥70 years.

Hepatitis viruses: not always what it seems to be.

The classic hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis A through E, are not the only viral agents able to infect the liver. Other systemic viruses may cause hepatic injury that can range from mild and transient elevation of aminotransferases to acute hepatitis and occasionally acute liver failure and fulminant hepatitis. The clinical presentation may be indistinguishable from that associated with classic hepatotropic viruses.

[Autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis: dependent or independent association?].

Background And Objective: The diagnosis of an autoimmune liver disease is based on clinical, biochemical, immunological and histological criteria particular to each disease, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Hepatic overlap syndromes (OS) are defined by the presence of a well established autoimmune liver disease, primarily AIH plus two or more characteristics associated with another liver disease (PBC or PSC); however the association of HAI and PSC is considered rare in adult population, and only 43 cases have been reported in the literature. The aim of this study is to review and reappraise the characteristics of this rare association, and to discuss current concepts on OS.

[Interferon-alpha and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic damage due to hepatitis C virus].

The present review focuses on the published information published regarding the effects of interferon alpha therapy on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver damage secondary to hepatitis C infection. Data reviewed included results of the in vitro effects of interferon on hepatic cell line cultures with regards to indirect markers of fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells and oxidative stress response. In the clinical arena, there is current clear evidence of a favorable histological outcome in patients with sustained viral response to interferon therapy.

Early HCV RNA changes in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alfa 2b and ribavirin.

Introduction: Currently, interferon alfa and ribavirin are the mainstay of therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Recently the pegylation of interferon has allowed a once weekly application, resulting in an increased sustained viral response rate. The analysis of serum HCV dynamics has been shown to be useful in predicting clinical effects and optimizing the treatment regimen.

Health-related quality of life and depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. It has been associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQL) and psychiatric symptoms. Our aim was to assess HRQL, depression, and illness understanding in patients with chronic hepatitis C without previous interferon therapy.