Adjuvanted recombinant HBV vaccine (HBV-AS04) is effective over extended follow-up in dialysis population. An open-label non randomized trial.

Background: Patients on regular dialysis show a poor response to hepatitis B vaccine due to uremia. A recombinant HB vaccine (containing an improved adjuvant system AS04, HBV-AS04) has been licensed but the evidence on its efficacy and safety in dialysis population over the long term is extremely limited.

Aim: We have measured antibody (anti-HBs) persistence for up to 72 months in a large cohort of patients on long-term dialysis (with susceptibility to HBV infection) who underwent vaccination with HBV-AS04 vaccine.

Efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral agents for HCV in mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease.

Background And Aims: The advent of direct-acting antiviral agents promises to change the management of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a patient group in which the treatment of hepatitis C was historically challenging. We investigated the safety and efficacy of all-oral, interferon-free direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C in a 'real-world' cohort of patients with CKD.

Methods: We performed an observational single-arm multi-centre study in a large (n=198) cohort of patients with stage 1-3 CKD who underwent antiviral therapy with DAAs for the treatment of HCV.

Gastrointestinal lesions in chronic kidney disease patients with anaemia.

Introduction: Despite the frequency with which anaemia is present in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), its relationship with gastrointestinal lesions has not been studied.

Method: A cross-sectional, analytical, observational study involving one year of recruitment was carried out to determine the prevalence of endoscopic gastrointestinal lesions and associated risk factors in asymptomatic patients with chronic kidney disease stages 1-5 and anaemia who had a positive qualitative immunochemical faecal occult blood test.

Results: A total of 9,658 patients with CKD were analysed, of which 286 (2.

'Real-life' experience with direct-acting antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus in end-stage renal disease.

Background And Aims: The advent of direct-acting antiviral agents promises to change the management of hepatitis C in patients with end-stage renal disease, a patient group where the treatment of hepatitis C was historically challenging. We investigated the safety and efficacy of all-oral, interferon-free direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C in a 'real-world' group of patients with end-stage renal disease.

Methods: We performed a single-arm, multi-centre study in a cohort (n=30) of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (mostly on dialysis) who underwent antiviral therapy with direct-acting antiviral agents.

Recommendations for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in chronic kidney disease: a position statement by the Spanish association of the liver and the kidney.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis worldwide. The long-term impact of HCV infection is highly variable, ranging from minimal histological changes to extensive fibrosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. The development of HCV drugs has increased dramatically in recent years, even in special populations such as chronic kidney disease patients.

Spanish multicentre PIBHE study: Prevalence and immunization of chronic hepatitis B in haemodialysis patients in Spain.

Introduction: The PIBHE study, promoted by the Spanish Liver and Kidney Association and the Dialysis Virus Group of the Spanish Society of Nephrology, is the first study to determine the status of haemodialysis patients with chronic HBV infection and the immunisation against the vaccine.

Method: The study has a national multicentre, observational, cross-sectional design and was carried out between January 2013 and 2014. A data collection folder was sent to all the nephrology departments and outpatient haemodialysis units in Spain, to be completed based on patient medical files after informed consent.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and chronic pancreatitis in chronic alcoholic liver disease: coincidence or shared toxicity?

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease and to analyze the possible associated factors.

Methods: This is an analytical observational study of cases and controls for a sample of patients with chronic alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was diagnosed using the C mixed-triglyceride breath test.

SHECTS multi-centre Spanish study: liver situation of patients with chronic hepatitis from HCV on renal replacement therapy with haemodialysis.

Introduction: The SHECTS study, approved by the Spanish Society of Nephrology, has the goal of analysing the level of examination and follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections on haemodialysis, and to determine the current prevalence of these patients.

Method: A national, multi-centre, cohort study carried out between September 2010 and September 2011. We sent a data collection folder to all Spanish haemodialysis units to include information regarding each centre and the nephrological/hepatological situation of their HCV-positive patients.

[Microalbuminuria and renal insufficiency in chronic hepatitis C virus infection].

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with glomerular disease, which is manifested by proteinuria with or without renal dysfunction.

Method: To determine the prevalence of HCV-associated renal injury and associated risk factors, we performed an observational, analytic, cross-sectional study of 120 HCV-positive patients and 145 HCV-negative controls. Data were gathered from medical records and history-taking and at least three blood and urine analyses were performed over a 1-year period.

[Reversibility of hepatitis B virus-induced liver cirrhosis after prolonged antiviral therapy].

Reversibility of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis involves complete restoration of normal liver architecture. This phenomenon has been well documented in chronic liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis, biliary obstruction, hemochromatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and viral hepatitis. There are very few reports of reversal of cirrhosis after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.