Public Knowledge, Awareness, and Vaccination Rates for Hepatitis B in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a considerable public health concern in India, characterized by a significant number of chronically infected individuals. India falls into the category of an intermediate HBV endemic country, with approximately 40 million people chronically infected. Public awareness and knowledge about HBV are crucial for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Diagnostic accuracy of transient elastography in diagnosing clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Liver stiffness measurement using transient elastography (TE-LSM) is a promising noninvasive alternative to hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) for diagnosing clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). However, previous studies have yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the correlation between TE-LSM and HVPG and the performance of TE-LSM in diagnosing CSPH (HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg).

A Prospective Study of Prevalence and Predictors of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy and Its Role in Development of Hepatorenal Syndrome.

Background And Aims: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a term used to collectively describe abnormal structural and functional changes in heart of patients with cirrhosis. The present study was undertaken to find the prevalence of CCM in patients with liver cirrhosis and its predictors. We also followed these patients to evaluate the role of CCM in the development of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

Multifocal colorectal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report.

A case of multifocal non-Hodgkin's (Diffuse large B cell type) lymphoma of colon in a patient with ulcerative colitis is described. The patient was a 69-year old male treated with azathioprine and methotrexate for ulcerative colitis for 2 years. He was admitted with loose stools and hematochezia.

Effect of COVID-19 on Pre-existing Liver disease: What Hepatologist Should Know?

COVID-19 is characterized by predominant respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Liver enzymes derangement is seen in 15-55% of the patients. Advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, malignancy, and cardiovascular disease predispose them to severe disease and the need for hospitalization.

COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread world over causing morbidity and mortality in affected patients, especially elderly and those with co-morbidities. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients frequently require immunosuppressive therapy and are known to be at risk of opportunistic infections.

Areas Covered: We hereby review the available literature pertaining to COVID-19 in IBD based on published consensus guidelines, expert opinions, case series, registries and reports.

Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of Corona Virus Disease-19 and their relationship to severe clinical course: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Many case series on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) have reported gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic manifestations in a proportion of cases; however, the data is conflicting. The relationship of GI and hepatic involvement with severe clinical course of COVID-19 has also not been explored.

Objectives: The main objectives were to determine the frequency of GI and hepatic manifestations of COVID-19 and to explore their relationship with severe clinical course.

Clinical Features of COVID-19 and Factors Associated with Severe Clinical Course: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: COVID-19 is a new disease which has become a global pandemic, and is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The disease is still not very well characterized, and factors associated with severe clinical course are not well known.

Methods: The main objectives were to determine the demographic, clinical and laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 and to identify the factors associated with severe clinical course.

Is diabetes mellitus associated with mortality and severity of COVID-19? A meta-analysis.

Background: Many studies on COVID-19 have reported diabetes to be associated with severe disease and mortality, however, the data is conflicting. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to explore the relationship between diabetes and COVID-19 mortality and severity, and to determine the prevalence of diabetes in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We searched the PubMed for case-control studies in English, published between Jan 1 and Apr 22, 2020, that had data on diabetes in patients with COVID-19.

Role of EUS-FNA for gallbladder mass lesions with biliary obstruction: a large single-center experience.

 Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is an established modality for pathological sampling of pancreatic and biliary lesions, limited data are available on the diagnostic value of EUS-FNA for evaluation of gallbladder mass lesions, a common cause of obstructive jaundice. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of EUS-FNA for diagnosis of gallbladder mass lesions presenting with biliary obstruction.  This study was a retrospective analysis of data from patients who had undergone EUS-FNA for gallbladder mass lesions.

Ideal Cure for Hepatitis B Infection: The Target is in Sight.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite recent strides in pharmacotherapy, complete cure of HBV infection still remains an enigma. The biggest obstacle in HBV therapy is clearance of covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA).

Predictors of 90-day mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: Experience with 183 patients at a tertiary care center from India.

Background: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is not an uncommon indication for hospital admission in India. However, there is limited data from India on predictors of mortality in patients of severe AH. We analyzed the data on patients with severe AH admitted to our institute and compared various parameters and severity scores in predicting 90-day mortality.

Can Non-Selective Beta-Blockers (NSBBs) Prevent Enlargement of Small Esophageal Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis? A Meta-analysis.

Background: Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are recommended for prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding in patients of cirrhosis with large esophageal varices. However, the data is conflicting whether NSBBs can also prevent growth of small esophageal varices to large size.

Aim: To perform a meta-analysis of the randomized clinical trials comparing NSBBs with placebo for prevention of development of large esophageal varices in patients of cirrhosis with small esophageal varices.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Rare Presentation with Localized Iliac Lymphadenitis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign, self-limiting disease characterized by histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis. Though several viral agents or an autoimmune etiology has been proposed as causative, the exact cause remains unknown. It has a female predilection and most commonly seen among young Asian people.

Correlation of transient elastography with hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension: A study of 326 patients from India.

Aim: To study the diagnostic accuracy of transient elastography (TE) for detecting clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in Indian patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology, and Pancreatico-Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, on consecutive patients with cirrhosis greater than 15 years of age who underwent hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and TE from July 2011 to May 2016. Correlation between HVPG and TE was analyzed using the Spearman's correlation test.

Self-expanding plastic stent for esophageal leaks and fistulae.

Background: Self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS) have emerged as a good alternative to surgery in esophageal leaks and fistulae. There is scarce published literature regarding its efficacy in these conditions. We present our experience with SEPS in treatment of esophageal leaks and fistulae.