Cirrhosis/Liver Failure News

An electronic universal screening procedure implemented by admitting nurses in the emergency room identified alcohol misuse, associating it with higher liver disease risk and providing a “teachable moment” for possible interventions for the patients.

Inpatient cirrhosis-related deaths have decreased over the last decade while cirrhosis-related deaths at home or in hospice settings have increased, according to a recently published study. However, the number of cirrhosis-related deaths that occurred in hospice care was significantly lower compared with cancer-related deaths.

New data has shown an association between renal vein diameter of 11 mm or wider and shorter median overall survival among patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites.

Among people of various ethnicities and cultures, higher coffee consumption — whether caffeinated or decaffeinated — was associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality benefits, according to two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

From 2006 to 2012, researchers observed an increased use of palliative care in patients with end-stage liver disease, according to a recently published study. However, they also observed socioeconomic and ethnic barriers to access.

Biocodex announced the launch of two international programs focused on research and awareness of gut microbiota: the Biocodex Microbiota Institute and Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, according to a press release.

First-degree relatives of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis have a 12-times higher risk for developing advanced fibrosis compared with first-degree relatives without NAFLD, according to results of a well-phenotyped familial cohort study.

Patients with cirrhosis have a higher risk for mortality following in-hospital cardiac arrest, compared with patients without cirrhosis, according to results of a retrospective-prospective study.

Data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study showed an association between higher FIB-4 scores and increased risk for congestive heart failure, including patients with moderate liver fibrosis.

Recently published data showed an association between cirrhosis and an increased risk for stroke, particularly hemorrhagic stroke, which may be related to mixed coagulopathy observed in cirrhosis.