Cirrhosis/Liver Failure News

Serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels were accurate in predicting transplant-free survival and mortality rates among patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, according to study results.

Liver disease is the third most common cause of premature death in the United Kingdom, with mortality rates increasing by 400% since 1970. In a new report, Roger Williams, MD, director of the Institute of Hepatology in London, and colleagues provide recommendations for improving the standard of care for patients with liver disease in hospitals and create quality preventive measures for people with excessive alcohol use and obesity to reduce the mortality rate and burden of the disease.

UT Southwestern Medical Center was awarded $1.35 million by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas for research in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis, according to a release from the medical center.

BOSTON — Patients hospitalized with cirrhosis who visited a clinician within 14 days of discharge had a reduced risk for hospital readmission, according to data presented at The Liver Meeting.

BOSTON — Primary biliary cirrhosis is more common among females in China, but it is more serious in males, according to data presented during the late-breakers session at The Liver Meeting.

BOSTON — Patients presenting with primary biliary cirrhosis at a younger age have significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment, according to data presented at The Liver Meeting.

Treatment with polyethylene glycol 3350-electrolyte solution, or PEG, improved overt hepatic encephalopathy among patients with cirrhosis faster vs. standard of care treatment with lactulose, according to recent study data.   

BOSTON — In obese patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, a 16-week diet and moderate exercise intervention safely reduced hepatic vein pressure gradients, or HVPG, in addition to body weight, according to data presented at a plenary presentation at The Liver Meeting.

BOSTON — While men are at higher risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, known as PBC, disease stage and biochemical response can be used to further stratify the risk in this population, according to data presented at The Liver Meeting.

BOSTON — Fenofibrate was an effective adjunct therapy for the treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis with lack of response to ursodeoxycholic acid, according to data presented at The Liver Meeting.