Comparative study of the effects of Abexol and atorvastatin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Abexol and atorvastatin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Material and methods: The present study had a monocentric, randomized, double-blinded, comparative design with 4 parallel groups - group 1 (Abexol), group 2 (atorvastatin), group 3 (combined therapy) and group 4 (placebo) - to which dietary recommendations and physical activity practice were provided twice a day, for 24 weeks. Significant changes in the ultrasound analysis of the liver were considered a primary efficacy variable.

Health-related quality of life in Cuban patients with chronic liver disease: A real-world experience.

Introduction And Objectives: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important for comprehensive assessment of chronic liver disease (CLD). Latin America and the Caribbean have a high burden of CLD, but PROs are lacking. We assessed health-related quality of life (HRQL) in Cuban patients with compensated CLD.

Autoimmune Hepatitis in Cuban Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical and Histological Profiles, Treatments, and Outcomes.

Background: Population-based studies on the clinical course and prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) from Caribbean countries are limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide information regarding the clinical and laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes of patients with AIH with long-term follow-up in a tertiary referral center.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed at the National Institute of Gastroenterology in Havana, Cuba, by enrolling 82 patients with a well-documented, long-term clinical course of AIH.

Prospects for US-Cuba Cooperation in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation.

Gastroenterology, hepatology and liver transplant exchanges between the USA and Cuba have mainly consisted of scientific events and short visits. This has facilitated Cuba's inclusion in recognized scientific organizations, familiarity with Cuba's biotech products for treatment of liver disease, and access by Cuban professionals to the highest level of scientific information for clinical practice. It has also given health professionals in the US a more accurate picture of Cuba's health sector.

Liver Stiffness Reference Values for Healthy Cuban Adults.

Introduction: Reference values for liver stiffness for healthy individuals vary worldwide. Different optimal cutoff values correspond to the stages of fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

Objectives: Characterize the distribution of liver stiffness in Cuban adults without liver disease and its association with age, serum uric acid and body mass index.

Clinical Evaluation of Terap C Vaccine in Combined Treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin in Patients with Hepatitis C.

Background: An estimated 170 million individuals worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although treatment options using a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin (P-IFN/RBV) are available, sustained clearance of the virus is only achieved in approximately 40% of individuals infected with HCV genotype 1. Recent advances in the treatment of HCV using directly acting antiviral agents have been achieved; however, treatment can be very expensive and is associated with substantial side effects.

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.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Liver Diseases in a Tertiary Referral Center in Cuba.

Background: Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) comprise a set of entities characterized by tissue damage as a result of the loss of self-tolerance. There are few reports of AILD from Caribbean countries.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical patterns, laboratory findings, and immunologic features, treatment responses, and prognoses of AILD in adult patients at a Cuban tertiary referral center.