Adrenal function and microbial DNA in noninfected cirrhotic patients with ascites: Relationship and effect on survival.

Background: There are few data on clinical relevance of adrenal dysfunction and its relationship with occult microbial DNA in noninfected haemodynamically stable cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic role of adrenal dysfunction, microbial DNA, and their relationship.

Methods: Adrenal function was assessed in 93 consecutive patients following a corticotropin stimulation test.

Non-invasive score system for fibrosis in chronic hepatitis: proposal for a model based on biochemical, FibroScan and ultrasound data.

Background & Aims: We elaborate a non-invasive score system for liver fibrosis (NISF), exploring its diagnostic performance and comparing its accuracy to FibroScan in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Clinical, biochemical, elastographic and ultrasound parameters derived from patients with CH (n = 83) or NAFLD (n = 58), undergoing liver biopsy for fibrosis assessment, were prospectively collected as potential predictors of fibrosis. Each parameter was evaluated for its correlation with the liver biopsy (Gold Standard).

Overlap syndromes of autoimmune hepatitis: an open question.

The headword "overlap syndromes" of liver diseases includes the coexistence of autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. These syndromes often represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for hepatologists; it remains unclear whether these overlap syndromes form distinct entities or they are only variants of the major autoimmune liver diseases. The most frequent reported association occurs between autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis, whereas the overlap between autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis is less frequent, typically at young age and often attendant with an inflammatory bowel disease.

Prevention of paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction in cirrhosis: standard vs half albumin doses. A prospective, randomized, unblinded pilot study.

Background: Paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction is a well-known complication of large volume paracentesis. Albumin infusion (8g of albumin/L of ascites removed) is effective in preventing it, but high costs and scant availability limit its use.

Aim: To compare standard vs half albumin doses.