Current Condition of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Cuban Adults.

Background: The reduction of the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Cuba can be attributed to the effectiveness of the national immunization program. However, the number of patients with chronic HBV observed in clinical practice is not negligible.

Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the main clinical characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Development and validation of a noninvasive prediction model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis resolution after lifestyle intervention.

Unlabelled: Liver biopsy is the gold standard method to assess nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) resolution after therapeutic interventions. We developed and validated a simple and noninvasive scoring system to predict NASH resolution without fibrosis worsening after 1 year of lifestyle intervention. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in 261 patients with histologically proven NASH who were treated with lifestyle changes for 52 weeks and underwent a second liver biopsy to confirm NASH resolution.

The natural history of HCV-related cirrhosis and its temporal progression across the different clinical stages.

Purpose: The clinical course of hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and its temporal progression across the different clinical stages has not been completely investigated. Our study evaluated the cumulative incidences (CIs) of clinical outcomes marking disease progression across the different clinical stages.

Methods: At baseline, 660 patients were classified as compensated [absence (294), or presence (108) of gastroesophageal varices] or decompensated [ascites (144), variceal bleeding alone (45) or in combination with ascites (17) and encephalopathy alone or together with bleeding and/or ascites (52)].

Weight Loss Through Lifestyle Modification Significantly Reduces Features of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background & Aims: It is not clear how weight loss affects histologic features of liver in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We examined the association between the magnitude of weight loss through lifestyle modifications and changes in histologic features of NASH.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 293 patients with histologically proven NASH who were encouraged to adopt recommended lifestyle changes to reduce their weight over 52 weeks, from June 2009 through May 2013, at a tertiary medical center in Havana, Cuba.

Arterial blood pressure is closely related to ascites development in compensated HCV-related cirrhosis.

Background: Arterial blood pressure (BP) is a reliable marker of circulatory dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. There are no prospective studies evaluating the association between different levels of arterial BP and ascites development in compensated cirrhotic patients. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between arterial BP and ascites development in compensated cirrhotic patients.

[Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A current perspective].

A review about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is presented, considering the updated aspects related to pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of this medical condition.

The natural history of compensated HCV-related cirrhosis: a prospective long-term study.

Background & Aims: The natural history of HCV-related compensated cirrhosis has been poorly investigated in Latin-American countries. Our study evaluated mortality and clinical outcomes in compensated cirrhotic patients followed for 6 years.

Methods: Four hundred and two patients with compensated HCV-related cirrhosis were prospectively recruited in a tertiary care academic center.

Viusid, a nutritional supplement, increases survival and reduces disease progression in HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis: a randomised and controlled trial.

Objectives: Viusid is a nutritional supplement with recognised antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties which could have beneficial effects on cirrhosis-related clinical outcomes such as survival, disease progression and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of viusid in patients with HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Design: A randomised double-blind and placebo-controlled study was conducted in a tertiary care academic centre (National Institute of Gastroenterology, Havana, Cuba).

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of Viusid in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of Viusid, a nutritional supplement, as an antioxidant and an immunomodulator in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis C who were non-responders to standard antiviral treatment were randomly assigned to receive Viusid (3 sachets daily, n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 24 wk. The primary outcome was the change in serum malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals (lipid peroxidation products).