Nurul Akbar

Diagnostic value of a group of biochemical markers of liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the use of non‐invasive biochemical markers to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, transfusions and risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection

This study identifies the risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and measures the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C (anti‐HCV) in the general population of Jakarta. A population‐based sample of 985 people aged 15 and above was surveyed. Risk factors were identified through questionnaires and home visits. Serum was analysed for HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs), anti‐HCV, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The seroprevalence was: 4.0% (39/985) for HBsAg, 17.2% (170/985) for anti‐HBs, and 3.9% (38/985) for anti‐HCV. The risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection had little in common. Low socioeconomic status was a strong risk factor for HBsAg (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 18.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35–139.50). In addition, the Chinese group has 2.97 higher risk of having HBV infection compared with the Malayan ethnic group (adjusted OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.22–7.83). There was moderate positive trend between family size and risk of HBsAg positivity (P= 0.130). Age over 50 (adjusted OR 14.72; 95% CI 4.35–49.89) and history of transfusion were significant risk factors for hepatitis C (adjusted OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.25–7.33). Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections have different risk factors in Jakarta, a high risk in population for both diseases. Hepatitis B transmission is associated with low socioeconomic status, Chinese ethnic group and large family size, while hepatitis C is associated with an older age and a history of transfusions.

Correlation between Branched Chain Amino Acids to Tyrosine Ratio and Child Pugh Score in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Background : The determination of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) to tyrosine ratio (BTR) was available in making differentiation of chronic hepatitis from liver cirrhosis, because there was a strong association between BTR and staging (fibrosis) scores. Branched chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio have a correlation with Fischer ratio and the examination is easier because it can be done by enzymatic assay. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the correlation between BTR and Child-Pugh score, we examined the amino gram of 52 liver cirrhosis patients consisted of 26 Child-Pugh A, 19 Child-Pugh B, and 7 Child-Pugh C. The examination of amino gram was done by High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) analyzer. Branched chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio were compared to Child-Pugh score, albumin, ammonia level, number connection test to Fischer ratio. Results : Significant differences in BTR among Child-Pugh A, B, C were observed (Child-Pugh A 7.75 + 1.2; Child Pugh B 6.0 + 1.23 and Child Pugh C 4.38 + 3.14 (p = 0.000)). Branched chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio had a weak correlation with albumin (r = 0.292; p = 0.036), ammonia level (r = 0.376; p = 0.006) and strong correlation with Fischer ratio (r = 0.818; p = 0.000). There was no significant correlation between BTR and number connection test. Conclusion : These results showed that the determination of the molar ratio of branched chain amino acids to tyrosine well reflected the severity of liver cirrhosis and it can be used as a substitute of Fischer ratio. Keywords : Branched chain amino acids, tyrosine, liver cirrhosis

Effects of BCAA Enteral Nutrition to the Change of Nutritional Status and Hepatic Encephalopathy Parameters in Liver Cirrhosis Patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy

Background: This study was also conducted to determine the effects of high-branched chain amino acid (BCAA) enteral supplementation on altered nutritional status parameters (including plasma prealbumin) and hepatic encephalopathy parameters in liver cirrhosis patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Method: Our study was a randomized, single-blinded experimental study comparing between control group of liver cirrhosis patients with standard hospital liver diet (40 kcal/kgBW/day for male and 35 kcal/kgBW/day for female; protein 1.25 g/kgBW/day) and experimental group of liver cirrhosis patients with liver diet modification high in BCAA supplementation, which had similar protein and calorie calculation as the control group. Results: Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy prevalence was 32%. In the experimental group, prealbumin plasma, arm circumference, body weight and body mass index (BMI) increased; whereas in the control group, prealbumin plasma, arm circumference, body weight and BMI decreased (p < 0.05). In experimental group, the ammonia level significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Clinical hepatic encephalopathy, flapping tremor, the number connection test (NCT) did not show significant changes between the two groups. However, there was worsening trend in the control group. Level of albumin, bilirubin, AST, ALT did not show any significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: High-BCAA enteral supplementation which is administered to liver cirrhosis patients with hepatic encephalopathy for 14 days could improve plasma prealbumin level, arm circumference, body weight, BMI and could decrease the plasma ammonia level. However, it does not improve Fischer ratio, psychometric test and electroencephalography Keywords: malnutrition, liver cirrhosis, BCAA, Fisher ratio

Correlation between the Degree of Esophageal Varices and Liver Stiffness in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Background: Bleeding due to rupture of esophageal varices is one of main cause of death in liver cirrhosis, that endoscopy screening is recommended. However endoscopy is invasive and frequently cannot be performed due to contraindication, high-cost or uncomfortable effect to the patients, particularly on patients have not had any bleeding before. Consequently, it is necessary to find other assessment which can predict the presence of esophageal varices. Recent studies found liver stiffness measurement by the liver transient-elastography is one of non invasive measurement to evaluate liver fibrosis.This study was designed to know the correlation between degree of the esophageal varices and the degree of liver stiffness. Method : This was cross sectional study. Liver cirrhosis patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. They underwent endoscopy to determine esophageal varices and subsequently the liver transient- elastography by Fibroscan technique to determine liver stiffness. Degree of the esophageal varices based on OMED criteria. Liver stiffness are expressed in kilopascal (kPa). Correlation analysis was done to assess this study. Result: There were 13 subjects. Most subjectswere male, age > 50 years and Child-Pugh A or B. The mean value of liver stiffness was 35.55 ± 23.60 kPa and mean OMED was 5.61 ± 2.14. The coefficient correlation between degree esophageal varices and degree liver stiffnes was 0.492, p = 0.087. Conclusion : There is moderate correlation but not statistically significant between the degree of liver stiffness and the degree of esophageal varices. Larger sample size is necessary to find the correlation between the degree of liver stiffness and esophageal varices. Keywords: liver cirrhosis, degree of esophageal varices, liver stiffness

Do Hepatic Encephalopathy Patients Really Need a Low Protein in Their Diet

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an extra hepatic complication of liver cirrhosis. The clinical manifestation of HE is a reflection of a low-grade cerebral edema due to astrocyte swelling as a consequence of hyperammonia. HE mostly is induced by precipitating factors. Correcting these identifiable precipitating factors can alleviate this complication. In the past, liver cirrhosis patients were recommended to lower their protein intake. It was assumed that by limiting protein intake, the ammonia production would lower, which can lead to HE recovery. This approach, on the other hand, had worsened the nutritional status that already present in most patients with HE. There are some ways to overcome these problems without restricting protein intake including balance diet, using Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA), and frequent small portion diet.

Prevalence and Distribution of Anemia Risk Factor in Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C who Has Combination therapy of Interferon Alpha and Ribavirin

Background : Interferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy is one of effective standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC.) However, anemia is a common side effect of this therapy that patients have to reduce or discontinue ribavirin therapy. But ribavirin dose reduction or discontinuation can reduce the effectivity of the therapy. Hence, it is important to know the prevalence of anemia and to determine the factors associated with anemia. Objective : To know the prevalence of anemia and some risk factors associated with anemia caused by the combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C. Method : Sixty one of CHC patients who received combination therapy were included in this study. The study used cross sectional design and data were obtained by measured complete blood count on 8th week of therapy. Result : Subjects 47 (77%) were males, 14 (23%) were females with mean age 38.9 years. Subjects had genotype 1 and 4 were 23 (71.9%) and 44 (72.1%) subjects received 1,000 mg ribavirin. Prevalence of anemia was found to be 52.5%. On multivariate analysis, only pretreatment hemoglobin concentration 50 years or female were not found to be the risk factor of anemia but patient with these risk factors should be carefully monitored. Intervention to prevent anemia should be considered to these patients. Eight subjects from 32 anemia patients had ribavirin dose reduction, and no patient had discontinuation treatment on 8th week of therapy. Keywords : chronic hepatitis C, IFN-alfa- RIB combination therapy, risk factors of anemia

The prevalence of GB virus C, risk factors and its relationship with other hepatitis viruses in a general population in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract This study identifies the prevalence, risk factors for GB virus C (GBV-C) and its relationship with other hepatitis viruses in a general population of Jakarta, Indonesia. A population-based sample of 995 people aged 15 and above was surveyed. Risk factors were identified by questionnaires and home visits. Serum was analyzed for seromarkers of hepatitis viruses, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The seroprevalence of GBV-C RNA (GB virus C ribonucleic acid) was 2.0%, HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) was 4.1%, anti-HBs (antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen) was 17.4%, anti-HCV (antibody to hepatitis C) was 3.5% and anti-HAV (antibody to hepatitis A virus) was 87.3%. Co-infection between HCV and GBV-C was not found while co-infection between HBV and GBV-C was detected in one case. Compared to low socioeconomic status, middle socioeconomic status had almost a five times higher risk of having GBV-C RNA (adjusted OR=5.29, 95% CI: 1.56–17.99). Transfusion and total alcohol consumption during lifetime were risk factors for GBV-C RNA (adjusted OR=4.76, 95% CI: 1.46–15.46 and adjusted OR=6.24, 95% CI: 1.28–30.35, respectively). In conclusion, the prevalence of GB virus C infections in Jakarta is moderate. Co-infection of GBV-C with HCV is not found, and that with HBV is very low. GBV-C transmission is associated with socioeconomic status, history of transfusion and alcohol consumption.