Palliative care in cirrhosis with decompensation.

Cirrhosis with decompensation has a poor prognosis, high symptom burden and causes carer stress. This pilot research in one tertiary hospital found that patients with cirrhosis with decompensation were infrequently referred to specialist palliative care. Despite this, they had a heavy symptom burden, high predicted mortality, frequent unplanned readmissions, long admissions and intensive care unit admissions.

Suspected acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with interferon alpha therapy for hepatitis C: case report.

Interferon alpha (IFNα) has immune stimulatory actions implicated in its pulmonary toxicities. We describe deterioration of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) associated with IFNα treatment for chronic hepatitis C in a 58 year old woman culminating in a fatal suspected acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF). Caution should be exercised in the use of IFNα in subjects with concomitant IPF given its known immunostimulatory effects and possible role in this suspected AE-IPF.

A role for B₁₂ in inflammatory bowel disease patients with suppurative dermatoses? An experience with high dose vitamin B₁₂ therapy.

Background: Inflammatory dermatoses in conjunction with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprise a diverse range of disorders. Some but not all of these respond to conventional treatments for the underlying IBD, such as immunomodulating or antibiotic treatments. We describe our experience with high dose vitamin B₁₂, where conventional therapies have failed.