Background: The evidence suggests a detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on the progression of chronic liver disease. However, the impact of cigarette smoking on mortality among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear.Methods: We used the National Health Examination Survey data collected during 2008–2009 to link the National Death Index to follow-up respondent survival. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on a lipid accumulation product in participants without significant alcohol use or other liver diseases.Results: During 64,116 person-years of follow-up, 928 of 7,529 participants with NAFLD died, and the cumulative all-cause mortality was 14.5 per 1,000 person-years. In a Cox regression model adjusted for age, body mass index, alcohol intake, exercise, comorbidities, lipid profiles, and handgrip strength, current smoking increased the risk of mortality by 109% (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–3.71) compared with never smoker status in women, but showed only a trend toward harm among men (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.96–2.08). After controlling for potential confounders, smoking ≥10 pack-years continued to show a significant harmful effect on all-cause mortality among women (aHR: 5.40, 95% CI: 2.19–13.4), but not in men. Among women who drink alcohol ≥10 grams per day, current smoking (aHR: 13.8, 95% CI: 1.66–145) and smoking ≥10 pack-years (aHR: 310, 95% CI: 78–1,296) also significantly increased risk of death.Conclusion: This nationwide population-based study highlight a detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on mortality, with a similar but more definite association in women than in men with NAFLD.

Hospitalizations for advanced liver disease are costly and associated with significant mortality. This population-based study aimed to evaluate factors associated with in-hospital mortality and resource use for the management of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.Mortality records and resource utilization for 52,027 patients hospitalized with cirrhosis and/or complications of portal hypertension (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or hepatorenal syndrome) were extracted from a nationally representative sample of Thai inpatients covered by Universal Coverage Scheme during 2009 to 2013.The rate of dying in the hospital increased steadily by 12% from 9.6% in 2009 to 10.8% in 2013 (P < .001). Complications of portal hypertension were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality except for ascites. The highest independent risk for hospital death was seen with hepatorenal syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 5.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.38–5.79). Mortality rate remained high in patients with infection, particularly septicemia (OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 4.0–4.54) and pneumonia (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 2.18–2.73). Receiving upper endoscopy (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.27–0.32) and paracentesis (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87–1.00) were associated with improved patient survival. The inflation-adjusted national annual costs (P = .06) and total hospital days (P = .07) for cirrhosis showed a trend toward increasing during the 5-year period. Renal dysfunction, infection, and sequelae of portal hypertension except for ascites were independently associated with increased resource utilization.Renal dysfunction, infection, and portal hypertension-related complications are the main factors affecting in-hospital mortality and resource utilization for hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. The early intervention for modifiable factors is an important step toward improving hospital outcomes.

Background Significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can be found in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The results of previous studies are controversial about whether significant functional TR (FTR) in patients with AF leads to worse clinical outcomes. The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence, predictors and prognosis of significant FTR in patients with AF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods The present study was a retrospective cohort study in patients with AF and preserved LVEF from May 2013 through January 2018. Significant FTR was defined as moderate to severe TR without structural abnormality of the tricuspid valve. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥ 50 mmHg or mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mmHg determined by echocardiography. The adverse outcomes were defined as heart failure and death from any cause within 2 years of follow up. Results A total of 300 patients with AF (mean age 68.8 ± 10.8 years, 50% male) were included in the study. Paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF were reported in 34.7 and 65.3% of patients, respectively. Mean LVEF was 65.3 ± 6.3%. PH and significant FTR were observed in 31.3 and 21.7% of patients, respectively. Patients with significant FTR were significantly older, more female gender and non-paroxysmal AF, and had higher left atrial volume index and pulmonary artery pressure than those without. A total of 26 (8.7%) patients died and heart failure occurred in 39 (13.0%) patients. There was a statistically significant difference in the adverse outcomes between patients with significant and insignificant FTR (44.6% vs. 11.9%, p <  0.010). Multivariable analysis showed that factors associated with significant FTR were female gender, presence of PH and left atrial volume index (OR = 2.61, 1.87, and 1.04, respectively). The predictors of the adverse outcomes in patients with AF were significant FTR, presence of PH and high CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR = 5.23, 2.23 and 1.60, respectively). Conclusions Significant FTR was common in patients with AF, and independently associated with adverse outcomes. Thus, comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of FTR in patients with AF and preserved LVEF is fundamental in determining the optimal management.