Lymphocytic Esophagitis: A Case Series of Esophageal Disease with Increasing Frequency.

Background: Lymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is a poorly understood clinical finding that has been increasingly identified in the last decade. Previous studies proposed increased frequency of LE in elderly females, as well as associations with smoking and pediatric Crohn's disease.

Objective: We aimed to determine the patient characteristics and clinical features of our adult LE patients.

Association between metabolic abnormalities and hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Metabolic syndrome is recognised as a potential risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association between metabolic factors and hepatitis C (HCV)-related HCC has not yet been well clarified. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of metabolic factors in HCV-related HCC.

Changes in adipocytokines and insulin sensitivity during and after antiviral therapy for hepatitis C genotype 4.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially genotypes 1 and 4, is associated with wide metabolic disarrangements.

Aim: To assess whether host metabolic factors influence sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 (HCV-4) treated with peginterferon / ribavirin and to evaluate the impact of antiviral therapy on insulin resistance (IR) and serum levels of adipocytokines.

Methods: Changes in levels of adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) on antiviral combination in patients with HCV-4 were analyzed and effect on response was studied.

Serum lipids and chronic hepatitis C genotype 4: interaction and significance.

Background & Aim: Metabolic abnormalities are common in chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC). However, the genotypic differences of these disarrangements in patients infected with CHC genotype 4 (HCV-4) and its association with liver histology and viral loads remain unknown.

Material And Methods: We consecutively enrolled 183 HCV-4 patients and 106 healthy matched controls; to compare metabolic profiles and assess pattern of association of HCV RNA levels as well as histological factors with the serum lipid profile.