Background and aimsNon-invasive assessment of fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is challenging, especially in resource-limited settings. MR or transient elastography and many patented serum scores are costly and not widely available. There are limited data on accuracy of serum-based fibrosis scores in urban slum-dwelling population, which is a unique group due to its dietary habits and socioeconomic environment. We did this study to compare the accuracy of serum-based fibrosis scores to rule out significant fibrosis (SF) in this population.MethodsHistological and clinical data of 100 consecutive urban slum-dwelling patients with NAFLD were analysed. Institutional ethics committee permission was taken. Aspartate transaminase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and FIB-5 scores were compared among those with non-significant fibrosis (METAVIR; F0 to F1; n=73) and SF (METAVIR; F2 to F4; n=27).ResultsAST (IU/mL) (68.3±45.2 vs 23.9±10.9; p<0.0001), alanine transaminase (IU/mL) (76.4±36.8 vs 27.9±11.4; p<0.0001), FIB-4 (2.40±2.13 vs 0.85±0.52; p<0.0001) and APRI (1.18±0.92 vs 0.25±0.16; p<0.0001) were higher and platelets (100 000/mm3) (1.8±0.8 vs 2.6±0.7; p<0.0001), albumin (g/dL) (3.4±0.50 vs 3.7±0.4; p<0.0001), alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) (60.9±10.2 vs 76.4±12.9; p<0.0001) and FIB-5 (−1.10±6.58 vs 3.79±4.25; p<0.0001) were lower in SF group. APRI had the best accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.95) followed by FIB-4 (0.78) and FIB-5 (0.75) in ruling out SF.ConclusionsAPRI but not FIB-5 or FIB-4 is accurate in ruling out SF in patients with NAFLD in an urban slum-dwelling population.
Background: Splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) is most commonly caused by acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Variceal gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a potentially life-threatening event in such patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SVT in CP patients and the risk of variceal GI bleeding. Materials and Methods: A total of 187 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CP were assessed for the presence of SVT at the gastroenterology department of a tertiary care hospital. Thirty seven patients had evidence of SVT. Patients with portal vein thrombosis or cirrhosis were excluded. Potential factors associated with SVT were assessed. Results: Of the 187 CP patients assessed, 37 patients (19.8%) (male 33; female 4; mean age 41.9 years) had evidence of SVT. Among patients with SVT, most common etiology of CP was alcohol abuse (70.3%). Seven patients (18.9%) with SVT presented with clinically significant upper GI bleeding. The source of GI bleeding was gastric varices in three patients (8.1%) and non-variceal source in four patients (10.8%). All three patients with gastric varices were managed by splenectomy. There were no new variceal bleeding episodes in other 33 patients (89.2%) during mean follow-up of 16.4 months. On comparison of patients with and without SVT, the factors associated with significantly higher incidence of SVT were smoking ( P = 0.019, odds ratio 3.021, 95% confidence interval 1.195–7.633) and presence of pseudocyst ( P = 0.008, odds ratio 3.743, 95% confidence interval 1.403–9.983). Complete resolution of SVT was seen in three patients (8.1%) after resolution of underlying pseudocyst. Conclusion: SVT is a common complication of CP, particularly in patients with pseudocysts and history of smoking. Most patients remain asymptomatic and the risk of variceal bleeding is low. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice in patients with variceal bleeding. Conservative approach is preferred in other patients. Resolution of pseudocysts may lead to resolution of SVT in some patients.
Crigler Najjar syndrome is associated with indirect hyperbilirubinemia due to a deficiency of enzyme Uridine Di Phospho Glucoronosyl Transferase (UDPGT). Presented here is a case of a female in the first trimester of pregnancy, who was diagnosed to have type 2 Crigler Najjar syndrome. We also discuss the management of this rare disease especially in pregnancy. Unconjugated bilirubin can cross the placental barrier causing neurological damage in the newborn. Patient was carefully monitored during pregnancy and treatment with phenobarbitone in low doses was adjusted such that the serum bilirubin levels were below 10 mg/dL. Crigler Najjar syndrome being rare needs to be diagnosed early in pregnancy to avoid adverse fetal outcomes. Phenobarbitone being an inducer of enzyme UDPGT is used as the first line of treatment and is not teratogenic in the low doses used. Treatment protocol followed was on the basis of previous reported cases and successful perinatal outcome was achieved.
Background/AimsThis study aimed to compare tolerance to air, carbon dioxide, or water insufflation in patients with anticipated difficult colonoscopy (young, thin, obese individuals, and patients with prior abdominal surgery or irradiation).MethodsPatients with body mass index (BMI) less than 18 kg/m2 or more than 30 kg/m2, or who had undergone previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries were randomized to air, carbon dioxide, or water insufflation during colonoscopy. The primary endpoint was cecal intubation with mild pain (less than 5 on visual analogue scale [VAS]), without use of sedation.ResultsThe primary end point was achieved in 32.7%, 43.8%, and 84.9% of cases with air, carbon dioxide and water insufflation (P<0.001). The mean pain scores were 5.17, 4.72, and 3.93 on the VAS for air, carbon dioxide, and water insufflation (P<0.001). The cecal intubation rate or procedure time did not differ significantly between the 3 groups.ConclusionsWater insufflation was superior to air or carbon dioxide for pain tolerance. This was seen in the subgroups with BMI <18 kg/m2 and the post-surgical group, but not in the group with BMI >30 kg/m2.
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder often associated with various complications. Approximately one fourth of patients with acute pancreatitis develop vascular complications, of which venous thrombosis forms a major group. Extrasplanchnic venous thrombosis is less common, and simultaneous renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombosis is reported only twice. We report a case of alcohol-related acute pancreatitis complicated by simultaneous renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombosis.
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