Development and validation of SCAISS, a tool for semi-automated quantification of sacroilitis by magnetic resonance in spondyloarthritis.

To develop a semi-automated method to quantify inflammation in sacroiliac (SI) joints by measuring bone marrow edema (BME) on MRI. The SCAISS was designed as an image-processing software. Validation followed: (1) three readers evaluated SI images of 23 patients with axial SpA and various levels of BME severity with the SCAISS, and two non-automated methods, SPARCC and Berlin; (2) 20 readers evaluated 12 patients images, also with the three methods; (3) 203 readers evaluated 12 patient images with the Berlin and the SCAISS.

Prognostic value of hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the main predictor of clinical decompensation in cirrhotic patients with compensated disease of any etiology without varices. However, the predictive factors of decompensation are not so well known in patients with hepatitis C-related compensated cirrhosis, in whom etiology-based therapy is difficult. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of decompensation in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis C (CHC)-related cirrhosis with and without esophageal varices (Baveno stages 1 and 2).

Meta-analysis: Combination endoscopic and drug therapy to prevent variceal rebleeding in cirrhosis.

Background: Combining endoscopic therapy and beta-blockers may improve outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and bleeding esophageal varices.

Purpose: To assess whether a combination of endoscopic and drug therapy prevents overall and variceal rebleeding and improves survival better than either therapy alone.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and conference proceedings through 30 December 2007.

Value of the hepatic venous pressure gradient to monitor drug therapy for portal hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: The use of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) to assess the efficacy of the pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis is controversial. Our aim was to establish whether target HVPG reduction predicts variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients receiving variceal bleeding prophylaxis.

Methods: Data sources were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, citation lists, and abstracts (most recent search March 2006).

Influence of hepatic venous pressure gradient on the prediction of survival of patients with cirrhosis in the MELD Era.

Measurements of portal pressure, usually obtained via the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) may be a prognostic marker in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HVPG on survival in patients with cirrhosis in addition to the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. We also examined whether inclusion of HVPG in a model with MELD variables improves its prognostic ability.

A meta-analysis of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus paracentesis for refractory ascites.

Background/aims: Meta-analysis designed to provide evidence-based guidance on the effect of TIPS and paracentesis on mortality and encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.

Methods: Five randomized trials published between 1989 and 2005 were identified.

Results: The five trials involved 330 patients, and none included patients >76 years, with bilirubin >5-10 mg/dl or creatinine >3 mg/dl.

Endoscopic treatment versus endoscopic plus pharmacologic treatment for acute variceal bleeding: a meta-analysis.

Endoscopic therapy, involving either injection sclerosis or band ligation, is considered the intervention of first choice for acute variceal bleeding (AVB). Pharmacologic agents have also been shown to be highly effective in the control of the bleeding episode. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess whether vasoactive drugs may improve the efficacy of endoscopic therapy (injection sclerosis or band ligation) in the control of AVB and thus increase survival rates.