Supanna Petraksa

Liver Stiffness Measurement in Psoriasis: Do Metabolic or Disease Factors Play the Important Role?

Background. An increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was reported in psoriasis. NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Transient elastography (TE) is a noninvasive liver fibrosis assessment. We evaluated the prevalence of significant liver fibrosis or high liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using the LSM cutoff over 7 kPa and its associated factors in psoriatic patients. Methods. Subjects underwent TE and ultrasonography. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for the associated factors. Results. One hundred and sixty-eight patients were recruited. Three patients were excluded due to TE failure. Mean BMI was 24.8 ± 4.7 kg/m2. NAFLD, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes were seen in 105 (63.6%), 83 (50.3%), and 31 (18.8%) patients. The total cumulative dose of methotrexate over 1.5 g was seen in 39 (23.6%) patients. Mean LSM was 5.3 ± 2.9 kPa. High LSM was found in 18 (11.0%) patients. Waist circumference (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.11–1.38; P = 0.0002), diabetes (OR: 12.70; 95% CI: 1.84–87.70; P = 0.010), and AST (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02–1.16; P = 0.017) were associated with high LSM. Conclusion. 11% of psoriatic patients had significant liver fibrosis by high LSM. Waist circumference, diabetes, and AST level were the independent predictors.

Nucleotide Analogue-Related Proximal Renal Tubular Dysfunction during Long-Term Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background. There have been few reports of nucleotide analogue-related renal tubular dysfunction (RTD) in CHB patients. We assessed the prevalence and presentation of nucleotide analogue-related proximal RTD. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed in CHB patients taking nucleotide analogues. Inclusion criteria were patients who were on adefovir or tenofovir as mono- or add-on therapy with lamivudine (LAM) >1 year. Serum and urine were collected. Fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPO4), uric acid (FEUA), and potassium was calculated. Renal losses were defined based on the criteria: protein (24-hour urine protein >150 mg), glucose (glycosuria with normoglycemia), phosphate (FEPO4 >18%), uric acid (FEUA >15%), potassium (renal potassium losses with hypokalemia), and bicarbonate (normal gap acidosis). Subclinical and overt proximal RTD were defined when 2 and ≥3 criteria presented. Results. Ninety-two patients were enrolled. The mean duration of nucleotide analogue taking was 55.1 ± 29.6 months. Proximal RTD was found in 24 (26.1%) patients (subclinical 15 (16.3%) and overt 9 (9.8%)). The severity of RTD was associated with the duration of nucleotide analogue (P = 0.01). Conclusions. The prevalence of proximal RTD in CHB patients taking nucleotide analogues was 26%. The severity of RTD was associated with the treatment duration. Comprehensive testing is necessary for early detecting nucleotide analogue-related nephrotoxicity.

The Association of Gut Microbiota with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Thais

Objectives Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to advanced fibrosis; the link between intestinal bacterial overgrowth and NASH has been proposed. Gut microbiota may promote inflammation and provoke disease progression. We evaluated gut microbiota pattern in NASH and its influencing factors. Methods A case-controlled study with sixteen NASH and eight control subjects was done. We performed DNA extraction from stool samples and bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing using MiSeq™. The sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology software. We calculated relative abundances, determined alpha diversity, obtained beta diversity by principal coordinate analysis, and conducted the partial least-squares regression model. Results The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes tended to be higher in NASH group. The Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes (B/F) ratio was significantly elevated in NASH patients. The pattern of gut microbiota in NASH was clearly separated from that of control subjects. Factors influencing the separation of NASH from control subjects were age, diabetes, body mass index, Bacteroidetes phylum, metformin, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Thermotogae, and Caldithrix and Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio. Conclusions Bacteroidetes phylum (Bacteroides and Prevotella genus) is abundant in NASH subjects, who exhibited an elevated B/F ratio. NASH patients showed a specific pattern of gut microbiota independent of diabetes or metformin use.

Reversal of Proximal Renal Tubular Dysfunction after Nucleotide Analogue Withdrawal in Chronic Hepatitis B

Aims Proximal renal tubular dysfunction (PRTD) is an infrequent complication after nucleotide analogue therapy. We evaluated the outcomes of PRTD and nephrotoxicity after nucleotide analogue withdrawal in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods A longitudinal follow-up study was performed in patients with PRTD after nucleotide analogue discontinuation. Serum and urine were collected at baseline and every 3 months for one year. The fractional excretion of phosphate (PO4), uric acid (UA), and potassium and tubular maximal reabsorption rate of PO4 to glomerular filtration rate (TmPO4/GFR) were calculated. Renal losses were defined based on the criteria of substance losses. Subclinical PRTD and overt PRTD were diagnosed when 2 and ≥3 criteria were identified. Results Eight subclinical and eight overt PRTD patients were enrolled. After nucleotide analogue withdrawal, there were overall improvements in GFR, serum PO4, and UA. Renal loss of PO4, UA, protein, and β2-microglobulin reduced over time. At one year, complete reversal of PRTD was seen in 13 patients (81.2%). Improvements in PRTD were seen in all but one patient. Conclusion One year after nucleotide analogue withdrawal, PRTD was resolved in most patients. Changes in TmPO4/GFR, urinary protein, and β2-microglobulin indicate that urinary biomarkers may represent an early sign of PRTD recovery.

The First Case Series of Combined Liver-Kidney Transplantation (CLKT) fromThailand

From the hospital database, four patients underwent CLKT. Three patients had ESRD and cirrhosis. Causes of cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in two and one patient. The fourth patient underwent CLKT due to subfulminant liver failure and prolonged acute renal failure with severely damaged kidney and required hemodialysis for 5 weeks. The waiting time ranged from 6 to 1988 days. After CLKT, one patient required hemodialysis for 45 days because of prolonged acute tubular necrosis. Mild early liver graft dysfunction occurred in one patient. Induction regimens were IL2-receptor blockers, steroids and tacrolimus in three patients, and steroids combining with tacrolimus in one patient. Maintenance regimens included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (with or without low-dose prednisolone). One-year graft and patient survival rate was 100%. Median follow-up time was 2.2 years. None developed liver or renal graft rejection. At 6 and 12 months, median creatinine levels were 1.30 and 1.13 mg/dl. At the last visits, median creatinine level was 1.05 mg/dl with median eGFR of 76.45 ml/min. CLKT may be done in the patients with ESRD and viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis even without portal hypertension. Other indication is for patients with acute liver failure with severely damaged ARF.