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Background: The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of US-detectable forefoot bursae, metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint synovial hypertrophy (SH), Power Doppler (PD) signal or erosion in participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A secondary aim was to determine the strength of potential association between patient reported foot-related disability and US-detected forefoot bursae, MTP joint SH, PD signal or erosion in participants with SLE. Method: A cross-sectional observational study of 20 participants with SLE was completed to determine the prevalence of US-detected forefoot bursal, MTP and MCP joint pathology. Patient-reported foot-related impairment and activity limitation (accumulatively referred to as disability) were also recorded. Spearmans' Rank Correlation analyses were completed to determine the potential strength of association between US-detected pathology and patient report disability. Results: The prevalence of MTP joint SH and PD was 80 % (16/20) and 10 % (2/20), respectively. The prevalence of MCP joint SH and PD was 60 % (12/20) and 30 % (6/20) respectively. A significant association was noted between PD scores for the MTP joints and MCP joints (r = 0.556; p = 0.011) although this was not demonstrated for SH scores (r = 0. 176; p = 0.459). Significant associations between forefoot bursal prevalence and MTP joint PD were noted (r = 0. 467; p = 0.038). The prevalence of bursae and bursal PD (grade 2 or above) was 100 % (20/20) and 10 % (2/20), respectively. Moderate foot-related impairment and activity limitation was reported by 95 and 85 % of participants respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that US-detected MTP, MCP joint and forefoot bursal abnormalities may be prevalent in participants with SLE and they may experience a moderate level of foot-related disability. Further research is required to substantiate these preliminary findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines the impact of donor liver macrovesicular steatosis on recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease after liver transplantation. Methods: Between 1998 and 2004, 113 patients underwent liver transplantation for HCV-related cirrhosis. Time to histologic recurrence (fibrosis score ≥2) was the primary endpoint of the study. Recurrence was graded according to the system of Ludwig and Batts. A Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to analyse the association between donor liver steatosis and HCV recurrence. Results: Recurrence-free survival for patients who received steatotic grafts was 82% and 47% at 1 and 4 years, respectively, and 81% and 52% for patients who received a non-steatotic liver. Donor macrovesicular steatosis (5–45%) was found to have no impact on HCV recurrence ( P=0.47). Donor age ( P=0.02) and cold ischaemia time ( P=0.01) were found to increase the relative risk of HCV recurrence. The estimated risk of HCV recurrence increased by 23% for every 10-year increase in donor age. Similarly the risk of recurrence increased by 13% for every 1-h increase in cold ischaemia time. Conclusion: Mild-moderate donor liver macrovesicular steatosis has no impact on HCV recurrence after liver transplantation for HCV-related cirrhosis. Cold ischaemia time and donor age increased the likelihood of HCV recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) are often treated with interferon-based therapy in an attempt to eradicate HCV and prevent cirrhosis requiring retransplantation. We describe our experience with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and the impact of this therapy on hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Patients were treated with pegylated interferon α-2b 1.5 mcg/kg/week and ribavirin 800 mg/day for 6–12 months according to genotype. HCV ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA) was repeated at 3 months, end of treatment (EOT) and 6 months after EOT for patients HCV RNA negative at EOT. Liver biopsies were performed prior to treatment and at EOT. Results: Thirty nine patients were eligible. Twenty two completed treatment and 17 (43.6%) were intolerant. Eleven of 22 (50%) patients who completed treatment developed sustained viral response (SVR). Two patients intolerant to treatment also developed SVR. Serial biopsies were performed in 17 patients and refused in five. Improved fibrosis scores were present in four patients (non-responders, n=2), unchanged in 10 (non-responders, n=4), and worse in three (all non-responders). Conclusions: Side effects are an important limiting factor in recurrent HCV treatment with SVR only 33.3% in an intention-to-treat analysis. However, improved or stable fibrosis scores were also demonstrated in 66.7% of non-responders. This suggests failure to eradicate HCV should not necessarily lead to treatment discontinuation as a subgroup of patients may benefit from maintenance therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) is universal following liver transplantation. Patients are often treated with interferon and ribavirin in an attempt to eradicate the virus. We describe our experience with 38 patients with recurrent HCV from a single liver transplant program.Between October 2000 and November 2001, 38 patients with recurrent HCV were treated with interferon alpha 2b 3 million units three times a week and ribavirin 1000–1200 mg per day. HCV RNA and liver biopsies were performed before treatment at the end of treatment (EOT), and 6 months after EOT in patients who were HCV RNA negative at EOT.There were 29 males and nine females. Median age was 49 years. In total, 34 patients were genotype 1 and two each were genotype 3 and 4. Six patients received HCV positive donors and 24 patients (63%) completed treatment. The most common indication for discontinuation of treatment was severe fatigue in 14 patients (37%). On intention to treat analysis, a sustained biochemical and virological response occurred in 10 patients (26%). Unchanged or improved fibrosis scores were present in 37% of patients, of whom 71% were non-responders to therapy.Interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin were poorly tolerated in this series of recurrent HCV patients, with sustained HCV eradication occurring in only 26% of patients. However, the majority of non-responders demonstrated unchanged or improved fibrosis scores, suggesting that a subset of patients may benefit from maintenance antiviral therapy to prevent the development of cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor widely prescribed for gastroesophageal reflux and benign peptic ulcer disease. According to the manufacturer's package insert (TAP Pharmaceuticals, Lake Forest, IL, USA), the most common side-effects are diarrhea, headache and abdominal pain, which occur in approximately 3% of patients and are reversible with drug discontinuation. An unusual case of microscopic colitis is reported in a previously asymptomatic patient who developed new-onset diarrhea after initiation of lansoprazole. The case is reviewed and possible mechanisms of diarrhea secondary to proton pump inhibitors are discussed. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]