Cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, fatty acids, and their relation in recurrent depression.

Background: Alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity, fatty acid metabolism, and their relation have been associated with (recurrent) major depressive disorder (MDD), although conflicting findings exist.

Aims: To determine whether alterations in HPA-axis activity and fatty acids in recurrent MDD remain during remission (i.e.

Frailty, Psychoactive Medications, and Cognitive Dysfunction Are Associated With Poor Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is associated with disabling symptoms and diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, for patients with compensated disease, data are limited regarding associations with poor patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We prospectively enrolled 300 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension without a history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and reviewed medical and pharmacy records.

Factors Associated With Rates of HBsAg Seroclearance in Adults With Chronic HBV Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a marker for clearance of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but reported annual incidence rates of HBsAg seroclearance vary. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide more precise estimates of HBsAg seroclearance rates among subgroups and populations.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library for cohort studies that reported HBsAg seroclearance in adults with chronic HBV infection with more than 1 year of follow-up and at least 1 repeat test for HBsAg.

Clofarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning regimen with peripheral blood stem cell graft and post-transplant cyclophosphamide in adults with myeloid malignancies.

Background: The Baltimore reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen using high-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) is considered as a standard of care for haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). However, it is associated with relatively low survivals and high incidence of relapse, especially when considering myeloid malignancies.

Results: This retrospective study included 36 adults (males = 18; median age: 60.

Passive transfer of anti-HBc after intravenous immunoglobulin administration in patients with cancer: a retrospective chart review.

Background: Patients previously infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV; indicated by positivity for anti-HBc) can experience HBV reactivation during cancer chemotherapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, which is frequently used in supportive care, might facilitate passive transfer of anti-HBc. We aimed to estimate the probability of passive transfer of anti-HBc after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in patients with cancer.

A Comparison Between Community and Academic Practices in the USA in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Entecavir: Results of the ENUMERATE Study.

Background And Aims: The management of chronic hepatitis B patients is not well characterized in real-world practice. We compared baseline characteristics of CHB patients on entecavir, the frequency of on-treatment monitoring, and the effectiveness of ETV treatment between academic and community practices.

Methods: Treatment-naïve CHB patients ≥18 years old, treated with ETV for ≥12 months from 2005 to 2013, in 26 community and academic practices throughout the USA were retrospectively evaluated.

A comprehensive assessment of patient reported symptom burden, medical comorbidities, and functional well being in patients initiating direct acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Results from a large US multi-center observational study.

Background: Symptom burden, medical comorbidities, and functional well-being of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) initiating direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in real-world clinical settings are not known. We characterized these patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among HCV-infected patients and explored associations with sociodemographic, liver disease, and psychiatric/substance abuse variables.

Methods And Findings: PROP UP is a large US multicenter observational study that enrolled 1,600 patients with chronic HCV in 2016-2017.

Evaluating longitudinal markers under two-phase study designs.

Little attention has been given to the design of efficient studies to evaluate longitudinal biomarkers. Measuring longitudinal markers on an entire cohort is cost prohibitive and, especially for rare outcomes such as cancer, may be infeasible. Thus, methods for evaluation of longitudinal biomarkers using efficient and cost-effective study designs are needed.

Misconceptions, preferences and barriers to alcohol use disorder treatment in alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Background: While alcohol cessation improves mortality in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), many patients struggle to achieve abstinence. Our aim was to characterize ALD patients' preferences, misconceptions, and barriers to alcohol use treatment options.

Methods: This mixed-methods study included outpatients with a history of alcohol-related cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis recruited from a hepatology clinic for a survey or an in-depth semi-structured interview.

Optimizing medication management for patients with cirrhosis: Evidence-based strategies and their outcomes.

Cirrhosis is a morbid condition associated with frequent hospitalizations and high mortality. Management of cirrhosis requires complex medication regimens to treat underlying liver disease, complications of cirrhosis and comorbid conditions. This review examines the complexities of medication management in cirrhosis, barriers to optimal medication use, and potential interventions to streamline medication regimens and avoid medication errors.

Incidence of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation and Hepatotoxicity in Patients Receiving Long-term Treatment With Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists.

Background & Aims: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are the first-line treatment for many autoimmune diseases. However, they have been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We determined the rate of HBV reactivation and hepatotoxicity grade 3 or 4 (HT ≥3) in patients treated with an anti-TNF agent for an autoimmune disease.

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome, Alanine Aminotransferase Levels, and Liver Disease Severity in a Multiethnic North American Cohort With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is prevalent and is associated with adverse outcomes of liver disease. We evaluated the prevalence of MS and its influence on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and fibrosis, as estimated by the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), in a large, multiethnic North American cohort with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

Research Design And Methods: Adults with chronic HBV from 21 centers within the U.

The high burden of alcoholic cirrhosis in privately insured persons in the United States.

Unlabelled: Alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Rising rates of alcohol use disorders in the United States will likely result in more alcoholic liver disease. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, health care use, and costs of AC among privately insured persons in the United States.

Diagnosis of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review of Point-of-Care Diagnostic Tests.

Objectives: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is common, characterized by deficits in reaction time and executive function, and strongly associated with disability and mortality. Point-of-care diagnostics performed without specialized skills or equipment are now available, albeit with limited data regarding their generalizability.

Methods: We systematically reviewed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for diagnostic studies of MHE using broad search terms including HE and minimal, covert, or the names of published diagnostic modalities.

Models to Predict Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Systemic Anticancer Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Most patients with cancer are not screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before undergoing anticancer therapy, and optimal screening strategies are unknown. We sought to develop selective HBV screening strategies for patients who require systemic anticancer therapy.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included adults age ≥ 18 years with solid or hematologic malignancies who received systemic anticancer therapy at a comprehensive cancer center during 2013 and 2014.

Psychometric properties of the PROMIS short form measures in a U.S. cohort of 961 patients with chronic hepatitis C prescribed direct acting antiviral therapy.

Background: To better understand symptoms experienced by patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), valid and reliable patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are needed.

Aim: To assess the reliability and validity of 10 patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) measures and the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) in a large national sample of patients with HCV.

Methods: Pre-treatment data from 961 patients with HCV starting direct acting antiviral therapy at 11 U.

[Posttraumatic stress disorder: current insights in diagnostics, treatment and prevention].

- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may develop after traumatic events.- PTSD is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the Netherlands, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 7%.- Recurrent re-experiencing of the traumatic event is the most characteristic PTSD symptom.