A study in JAMA Network Open found that higher AST to ALT liver enzyme ratios, reduced ALT levels, and higher alkaline phosphatase readings were associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Specific markers such as poor cognition, elevated amyloid-beta accumulation, increased brain atrophy, and lower brain glucose metabolism were noted. The findings were based on PET, MRI, and
Awareness of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is low among Americans who have risks associated with the diseases, according to a survey presented at the NASH Summit in Boston. Many clinical trials are currently underway regarding pharmacologic interventions in an area where diet and lifestyle are failing to curb rising incidence
A study published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health showed that patients with hepatitis C virus treated at health facilities that served American Indian/Alaska Natives had better outcomes when the clinics collaborated with pharmacists. The study demonstrated that interdisciplinary teamwork improved outcomes in this at-risk and disadvantaged group. This could serve as
The Liver Frailty Index can give physicians better data about the mortality risk of cirrhosis patients than just subjective data, according to a study led by Dr. Jennifer Lai of the University of California at San Francisco. In the study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 529 patients were tested on grip strength, balance
A retrospective study in the journal Liver International found use of direct-acting antivirals may be associated with the reduced number of patients on a waiting list for a liver transplant for decompensated hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. Researchers found an increase in HCV patients whose indication for liver transplant was hepatocellular carcinoma during the study period,
Obese African-American youths had more severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but overall NAFLD was more common among obese white or Hispanic youth, according to a study in Hepatology. Earlier studies have shown Hispanic adults and children had the highest rates of NAFLD, while African-Americans have a lower likelihood of developing hepatic fat accumulation. See the
Trials are underway to evaluate an affordable hepatitis C treatment. So far, the therapy has been shown to be safe and effective, with very high cure rates for patients including hard-to-treat cases. The interim clinical trial results offers hope to the 71 million people living with the disease worldwide. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a
A number of promising drugs in the pipeline can lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and antigen levels. Some may offer a functional cure for selected individuals, but agents that offer a reliable cure for most patients are not yet on the horizon. This would be expected to substantially reduce the likelihood of liver disease progression
Cross-Epidemic of Hepatitis C with Diabetes, Obesity, and Kidney Disease
A cross-sectional and prospective analyses of 13,726 participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that individuals with chronic hepatitis C have a high burden of major cardiometabolic comorbidities. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease, in particular, are associated with substantial excess mortality in persons with chronic hepatitis C. See the article
A fatty liver index of 30 or greater was tied to a greater risk of colorectal adenoma, and high-index patients had more adenomas and more advanced adenomas than those with a low-index, according to a study in the Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. “The high fatty liver index may be a useful predictor of
