Publications by authors named "M Yamashima"
Intern Med
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the impact of pemafibrate (PEM) on patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hyperlipidemia.
- A retrospective analysis of 43 patients was conducted, assessing clinical factors and liver stiffness using FibroScan before and after 0.5 years of PEM treatment.
- Results showed that while liver stiffness (LS) and other key liver function metrics did not decrease overall, improvements were noted in patients with more significant liver stiffness at baseline, suggesting PEM may be a potential treatment option for MASLD.*
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the connection between immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and chronic liver disease in 478 patients at Nagasaki Harbor Medical Center, highlighting that higher IgA levels were found in patients with more severe conditions, such as Child-Pugh classification B and C and alcoholic liver disease.
- Analysis revealed that factors like high IgG levels, diabetes, and certain liver disease types contribute to elevated IgA levels, suggesting that elevated IgA might indicate increased liver disease severity.
- Results also showed a significant association between IgA levels and visceral fat, particularly in women, reinforcing the role of IgA as a potential marker for liver disease severity amidst rising cases of steatotic liver disease.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzes mortality rates in patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after receiving interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (IFN-free DAA) therapy, emphasizing the significance of non-liver-related deaths.
- Three cohorts were examined: those without advanced fibrosis or prior hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), those with advanced fibrosis but no prior HCC, and those with a history of HCC after curative treatment.
- Findings indicated that while both non-HCC cohorts had comparable mortality rates to the general population, the cohort with a history of HCC had higher overall mortality, highlighting the need to address non-liver-related health issues in all SVR patients.
Article Synopsis
- PIVKA-II is a marker used to diagnose hepatoma (liver cancer) but can also appear in patients without liver issues.
- A study analyzed the relationship between serum PIVKA-II levels and various clinical measurements of bone and muscle health in 441 patients with liver disease.
- Results indicated that high PIVKA-II levels were linked to serious liver disease, abnormal bone health in women, and muscle weakness in men, suggesting that monitoring PIVKA-II might help manage bone and muscle health in these patients.
Article Synopsis
- - Hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a frequent issue in patients with chronic liver diseases like hepatitis C, leading to osteoporosis and bone density loss.
- - A study involving 78 patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) showed that while HCV was successfully treated, the impact on bone metabolic markers and bone density was varied between genders; males had a decrease in undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) while females did not.
- - Overall, DAA treatment appears to improve ucOC levels in male patients and influences vitamin K status, suggesting potential benefits for bone health in individuals with HOD related to chronic liver disease.
