We aimed to compare the level of thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients with HBV and those with HCV, and to investigate whether the reduced serum level of IL-6 in patients with HCV is responsible for the lower platelet count compared to those with HBV through the effect on serum thrombopoietin level.Fifty-three patients with liver cirrhosis, 28 of who were HBV- seropositive (Group A), 25 of who were HCV- seropositive (Group B) and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.Platelet count in group B [75 (1.5-99) K/microL] were lower than those of group A [140 (62-374) K/microL] (p < 0.001). The median levels of serum thrombopoietin in patients [group A: 31.9 (31-113) pg/mL and group B: 38.0 (31.2-102) pg/mL] and controls [31.3 (31-153) pg/mL] did not show statistically significant difference. The patients compared to controls, had higher serum IL-6 levels [3.6 (2-1150) vs. 2.0 (2-9.9) pg/mL], (p < 0.01), which showed similarity in group A and B patients [3.65 (2-1150) vs. 3.3 (2-45) pg/mL], (p=NS). Serum thrombopoietin level was not correlated with serum IL-6 levels in any group. Serum thrombopoietin and IL-6 levels had no relationship with platelet count and with Child-Pugh score.Our study showed that cirrhotic patients with HCV had lower platelet count than those with HBV and controls, and this difference does not appear to be related with either serum thrombopoietin or IL-6 level.
We aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose furosemide+salt orally by comparing HSS+ furosemide (i.v.) and repeated paracentesis in patients with RA.This was a prospective study of 78 cirrhotic patients with RA, randomized into three groups: Group A (n= 25) i.v. furosemide (200-300 mg bid) and 3% hypotonic saline solution (HSS) (once or twice a day); Group B (n= 26) oral furosemide tablets (360-520 mg bid) and salt (2.5 g bid); and, Group C (n= 27) repeated large-volume-paracentesis (RLVP) with albumin infusion. Patients without hyperkalemia were administrated 100 mg of spironolactone/day. During the follow-up; INR, creatinine, and total bilirubin levels were measured to determine the change in MELD (model of end stage liver disease) score.Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), severe episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and pleural effusions (PE) occurred more frequently in Group C. Improvement in Child-Pugh and MELD score was better in Group A and B than Group C. In Group B, improvements were seen in the Child-Pugh and MELD score, reduction in body weight, duration and number of hospitalization. In Groups A and B, remarkable increases in diuresis were observed (706±116 to 2425±633 mL and 691±111 to 2405±772 mL) and serum sodium levels also improved. HE and SBP were occurred more often in group C (p<0.002). Hospitalization decreased significantly in Group B (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in survival among groups.High dose oral furosemide with salt ingestion may be an alternative, effective, safe and well-tolerated method of therapy for RA.
Reports on adrenal insufficiency (AI) are unexpectedly high in cirrhosis, and the diagnosis of this condition remains a challenge. We aimed to define the prevalence rate of AI in stable cirrhotic patients and determine the correlations of free cortisol and salivary cortisol with total cortisol.Between January 2011 and September 2011, 110 consecutive cirrhotic patients without any infection or hemodynamic instability were enrolled. Baseline total and salivary cortisol levels were measured. The free cortisol level was calculated according to the Coolens' formula. Post-stimulation total and salivary cortisol levels were measured, and the free cortisol level was recalculated.The mean age of the patients was 62.1±11.4 years. There were 54 males (49.1%). The mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was 7.2±2.3. Twenty-two (20%) patients were at the CTP-C level. AI was present in 23 (20.9%) and 17 (15.5%) of all patients according to the total and free cortisol criteria, respectively. For basal and stimulated levels, salivary cortisol rather than total cortisol correlates well with free cortisol.The diagnosis of AI on the basis of total cortisol measurement overestimates the prevalence of AI in cirrhosis. Salivary cortisol, which correlates well with free cortisol, is a promising alternative for the diagnosis of AI in cirrhotic patients.
AIM: Our aims were to determine the normal limits of subepithelial basement membrane (SEBM) thickness in order to more accurately diagnose collagenous colitis in the population from southern Turkey and to investigate into links between SEBM thickness and age, and sex. METHODS:The study included 100 patients (mean age 50.0±13.3years; male, 34; female, 66) with miscellaneous gastrointestinal symptoms, and normal colonic mucosal appearance in colonoscopic evaluation.Biopsies were taken from five different regions of the colon.SEBM was measured with a calibrated eyepiece on specimens prepared with specific stains for collagen.Intensity of inflammatory cells was graded semiquantitatively.Differences in SEBM thickness among the different colon regions, and relationships between SEBM thickness and age, sex, and density of inflammatory cells were statistically evaluated. RESULTS:The cecum and rectum showed the largest amounts of infiltrate.None of the specimens showed histologic findings of collagenous colitis.The SEBM thicknesses measured for each case ranged from 3-20 µm.The biggest thickness was observed in rectal mucosa (median value: 10 µm).Cecum and ascending colon showed similar SEBM thickness (median value: 5 µm).SEBM thickness was not correlated with patient age or sex, but was positively correlated with the intensity of inflammatory cells in each colon segment. CONCLUSION:In this patient group from southern Turkey, SEBM was thickest in the rectum.Our results indicate that, in this population, SEBM thickness is not correlated with age or sex, but is positively correlated with severity of inflammation.The findings also support the concept that measuring SEBM thickness at one segment in the colon is inadequate and may be misleading.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the major forms of chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel diseases. The ability to identify type, severity and responsiveness to therapy of UC using laboratory parameters has long been the aim of clinical studies. The aim of this study was to assess the relation betweenplasma viscosity (PV) and disease activity and response to medical treatment in patients with UC.The study included 105 patients with UC and 42 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were assessed for PV, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), D-dimer, and fibrinogen.Patients with UC were grouped according to disease activity, i.e. active (n= 59) and remission (n= 46). PV was higher in those with active UC compared with those with UC in remission or healthy subjects. It was significantly higher in both UC refractory to steroid compared to UC responsive to steroid (p< 0.001) and UC refractory to cyclosporine compared to UC responsive cyclosporine (p= 0.003). IncreasedSimple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI), Endoscopic Grading Scale (EGS), and Histological Disease Activity (HAD) scores were significantly associated with higher PV in patients with UC.PV is a useful marker in predicting response to steroid or cyclosporine treatment in patients with active UC. It could be replaced by ESR or hs-CRP as a measure of the acute phase response in UC since it is sufficiently sensitive. These findings may help identify patients with active UC who will require colectomy.Biomarkers, Disease activity, Medical treatment, Steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis, Ulcerative colitis.La colite ulcerosa (UC) è una delle maggiori forme di colonpatia infiammatoria cronica recidivante. La capacità di identificare tipo, gravità e sensibilità alla terapia su parametri di laboratorio è da tempo oggetto di ricerca degli studi clinici. Lo scopo di questo studio è quello di accertare la relazione tra la viscosità del plasma (PV), l’attività della malattia e la risposta al trattamento medico. Lo studio si è svolto su 105 pazienti con UC e 42 volontari sani. I prelievi di sangue sono stati utilizzati per valutare la viscosità del plasma (PV), la velocità di eritrosedimentazione (ESR), la proteina C-reattiva ultrasensibile (hs-CRP), il D-dimero e il fibrinogeno. I pazienti con UC sono stati raggruppati in relazione al grado di attività flogistica (cioè 59 attivi e 46 in remissione). La PV è risultata più elevata in quelli con UC attiva rispetto a quella dei soggetti in remissione o nei soggetti sani. È risultata significativamente più elevata sia nei casi di UC refrattaria al trattamento steroideo rispetto a quelli sensibili (p< 0.001), e nelle UC rafrattarie alla ciclosrporina rispetto a quelli sensibili (p= 0.003). Con l’aumento della PV nei pazienti affetti da UC sono risultati significativamente associati il punteggio del SCCAI (Increased Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index), dell’EGS (Endoscopic Grading Scale) e del HAD (Histological Disease Activity (HAD). Si conclude che la PV è un marker utile per la previsione di sensibilità al trattamento sterorideo e con ciclosporina nei pazienti con UC attiva. Potrebbe essere rimpiazzata dalla ESR e dalla hs-CRP come misura della risposta in fase acuta in quanto sufficientemente sensibile. Questi risultati possono essere utili per l’identificazione dei pazienti con UC attiva da destinare alla colectomia.
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical and histopathological parameters of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and the conditions associated with this disease.Twenty-four patients were included in the study, each having been diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis on the basis of liver biopsy and elimination of other possible causes of elevated aminotransferase levels. Measurements of degree of obesity, liver enzymes and serum lipids were recorded before liver biopsy and reevaluated after one or two months of a standard exercise and diet program. Serum insulin levels were also measured. Each liver biopsy was histologically examined for steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, necrosis and iron storage, and semiquantitave assessment of these was recorded for three separate hepatic zones.The prevalence of obesity in the group was 79.2%, while the figure for overt and latent diabetes mellitus combined was 33.3%, and for hyperlipidemia was 83.3%. Compared to the rest of the group, the patients with severe steatosis had significantly higher serum lipid (particularly high triglyceride) and insulin levels (p<0.05 for both). There was a correlation between steatosis and obesity (p=0.06). More severe obesity, higher insulin and elevated aspartate aminotransferase were positively correlated with inflammation, whereas elevated serum triglyceride was negatively correlated with inflammation. There was a tendency towards normalization of liver enzyme levels after weight loss and dietary restrictions.Obesity and hyperlipidemia were associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the group studied. Obesity is not a factor in every case, but the study showed that restricted diet and exercise are significant forms of therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
