Search

Albumin is used in multiple situations in patients with cirrhosis, but the evidence of its benefit is not always clear. The aim was to synthesise the evidence on the efficacy and safety of albumin compared to other treatments or no active intervention in cirrhotic patients.We conducted a systematic review including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL up to May 2022. We assessed all-cause mortality, liver transplant, cirrhosis complications of any type and serious adverse events (SAEs). Second, AEs, hospital readmission, length of hospital stay, need for paracentesis and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated. Meta-analyses with Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects model were performed.Fifty studies (5118 participants) were included. Albumin was associated with a reduction in mortality in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32-0.75; low certainty) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.83; low certainty) when compared to no administration of albumin, but not in other scenarios. In general, no additional benefit of albumin was found in liver transplants, SAEs or cirrhosis complications (low/very low certainty). Long-term administration (3 months) of albumin led to a reduction in cirrhosis complications (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.97; low certainty), hospital readmissions, length of hospital stay, need for paracentesis and improvement of QoL.Albumin may reduce mortality risk in cirrhotic patients with SBP or HE. No benefit was identified in reducing liver transplants or SAEs. Long-term administration may be associated with a lower risk of cirrhosis complications and need for paracentesis.

BACKGROUND: Early aggressive hydration is widely recommended for the management of acute pancreatitis, but evidence for this practice is limited. METHODS: At 18 centers, we randomly assigned patients who presented with acute pancreatitis to receive goal-directed aggressive or moderate resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution. Aggressive fluid resuscitation consisted of a bolus of 20 ml per kilogram of body weight, followed by 3 ml per kilogram per hour. Moderate fluid resuscitation consisted of a bolus of 10 ml per kilogram in patients with hypovolemia or no bolus in patients with normovolemia, followed by 1.5 ml per kilogram per hour in all patients in this group. Patients were assessed at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, and fluid resuscitation was adjusted according to the patient's clinical status. The primary outcome was the development of moderately severe or severe pancreatitis during the hospitalization. The main safety outcome was fluid overload. The planned sample size was 744, with a first planned interim analysis after the enrollment of 248 patients. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients were included in the interim analysis. The trial was halted owing to between-group differences in the safety outcomes without a significant difference in the incidence of moderately severe or severe pancreatitis (22.1% in the aggressive-resuscitation group and 17.3% in the moderate-resuscitation group; adjusted relative risk, 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78 to 2.18; P = 0.32). Fluid overload developed in 20.5% of the patients who received aggressive resuscitation and in 6.3% of those who received moderate resuscitation (adjusted relative risk, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.36 to 5.94, P = 0.004). The median duration of hospitalization was 6 days (interquartile range, 4 to 8) in the aggressive-resuscitation group and 5 days (interquartile range, 3 to 7) in the moderate-resuscitation group. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized trial involving patients with acute pancreatitis, early aggressive fluid resuscitation resulted in a higher incidence of fluid overload without improvement in clinical outcomes. (Funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and others; WATERFALL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04381169.).

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and validate a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in acute pancreatitis (AP) as an endpoint centred on the patient.DesignA PROM instrument (PAtieNt-rePoRted OutcoMe scale in acute pancreatItis, an international proSpEctive cohort study, PAN-PROMISE scale) was designed based on the opinion of patients, professionals and an expert panel. The scale was validated in an international multicentre prospective cohort study, describing the severity of AP and quality of life at 15 days after discharge as the main variables for validation. The COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments) methodology was applied. Both the design and validation stages considered the content and face validity of this new instrument; the metric properties of the different items, reliability (reproducibility and internal consistence), the construct, structural and criterion validity, responsiveness and interpretability of this scale.ResultsPAN-PROMISE consists of a seven-item scale based on the symptoms that cause the most discomfort and concern to patients with AP. The validation cohort involved 15 countries, 524 patients. The intensity of symptoms changed from higher values during the first 24 hours to lower values at discharge and 15 days thereafter. Items converged into a unidimensional ordinal scale with good fit indices. Internal consistency and split-half reliability at discharge were adequate. Reproducibility was confirmed using test–retest reliability and comparing the PAN-PROMISE score at discharge and 15 days after discharge. Evidence is also provided for the convergent-discriminant and empirical validity of the scale.ConclusionThe PAN-PROMISE scale is a useful tool to be used as an endpoint in clinical trials, and to quantify patient well-being during the hospital admission and follow-up.Trial registration numberNCT03650062

Mumps are a preventable disease by vaccination, caused by a Paramyxovirus. Even though we are in the vaccination era, different phenomena as the migratory movements, are generating a new rebound of this highly transmissible viral infection. We present a female with a severe epigastric abdominal pain and elevation of alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in blood analysis, after 48 hours of mumps infection. After the exclusion of more frequent causes, the patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis related to mumps. This case shows that, despite it is a rare cause, acute pancreatitis should be considered in patients with mumps who present acute abdominal pain. An early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment are necessary to prevent and minimise morbi-mortality related to acute pancreatitis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may lead to the development of extrahepatic obstructive cholestasis. However, biliary stenoses can also be caused by benign conditions, and the identification of their etiology still remains a clinical challenge. We performed metabolomic and proteomic analyses of bile from patients with benign (n = 36) and malignant conditions, CCA (n = 36) or PDAC (n = 57), undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with the aim of characterizing bile composition in biliopancreatic disease andidentifyingbiomarkersforthedifferentialdiagnosisofbiliarystrictures. Comprehensiveanalyses of lipids, bile acids and small molecules were carried out using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) in all patients. MS analysis of bile proteome was performed in five patients per group. We implemented artificial intelligence tools for the selection of biomarkers and algorithms with predictive capacity. Our machine-learning pipeline included the generation of synthetic data with properties of real data, the selection of potential biomarkers (metabolites or proteins) and their analysis with neural networks (NN). Selected biomarkers were then validated with real data. We identified panels of lipids (n = 10) and proteins (n = 5) that when analyzed with NN algorithms discriminated between patients with and without cancer with an unprecedented accuracy. Keywords: human bile; cholangiocarcinoma; pancreatic adenocarcinoma; lipidomics; proteomics; machine-learning &nbsp

El tratamiento endoscopico de las complicaciones locales de la pancreatitis cronica ha ganado terreno en los ultimos anos frente a la alternativa quirurgica. La menor agresividad del tratamiento endoscopico frente al quirurgico, asi como la posibilidad de ser aplicado repetidas veces en pacientes de alto riesgo, han favorecido este desarrollo. Ademas, la incorporacion de nuevas opciones terapeuticas endoscopicas altamente resolutivas, como la litotricia guiada por pancreatoscopia y los tratamientos guiados por ecoendoscopia, hace que el tratamiento endoscopico sea de primera eleccion en muchos casos, a pesar de disponer de datos discordantes en la literatura. En este articulo se hace una revision del tratamiento endoscopico de las complicaciones locales mas frecuentes de la pancreatitis cronica, como la pancreatolitiasis, los pseudoquistes y la estenosis ductal pancreatica, biliar y duodenal

Objectives Previous studies have shown changes in the pancreas of type 1 diabetic (T1-DM) patients, similar to those present in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Our aim was to analyze the prevalence of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) criteria for chronic pancreatitis in T1-DM, to determine the association with factors related to the diabetes and to define its clinical significance. Methods Eighty-six T1-DM patients were prospectively included. All of them underwent EUS. Standard criteria were used. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the number of EUS criteria they met: group A, 0 to 2 criteria; group B, 3 to 4; and group C, more than 4. Association between EUS findings and demographic or clinical factors was studied as well as the relationship between EUS abnormalities and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or nutritional deficiencies. Results Fifty-three patients (61.6%) showed at least 1 morphologic abnormality. Fifty-eight patients were included in group A, 21 in group B, and 7 in Group C. No significant differences were found when comparing the 3 groups. Conclusions Chronic pancreatitis-like changes are frequent in the pancreas of T1-DM patients. These changes are not associated with demographic or clinical data. Therefore, the clinical relevance seems to be scarce.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially serious disease whose incidence is on the increase. Pancreas divisum does not meet the required criteria to be considered an aetiological factor. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may be another cause of idiopathic AP. Less invasive methods cannot replace Sphincter of Oddi manometry in diagnosis. Almost half of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome develop organ failure, but the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Obesity is a risk factor for severity in AP; the cause could be the presence of free unsaturated fatty acids, which have pro-inflammatory activity. Prognosis is better in patients with isolated extra-pancreatic necrosis than in those with parenchymal necrosis or with both. The mortality rate among those with infected pancreatic necrosis is 15-20%. The "moderately severe" group is widely heterogeneous and this category may require redefinition. Laparoscopic treatment of pseudocysts is an alternative to endoscopic drainage and could be the first-line option in patients requiring cholecystectomy. The use of lumen-apposing metal stents to treat pancreatic necrosis is cost-effective. Quality of life in some patients following an attack of AP is significantly impaired even at 1 year. Aggressive fluid therapy is not superior to standard fluid therapy in preventing post-ERCP AP. The role of statins in AP prevention is still unclear. Aggressive fluid resuscitation and the use of lactated Ringer solution seem to be beneficial in the treatment of AP.

The aim of this study was to compare and validate the different classifications of severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) and to investigate which characteristics of the disease are associated with worse outcomes.AP is a heterogeneous disease, ranging from uneventful cases to patients with considerable morbidity and high mortality rates. Severity classifications based on legitimate determinants of severity are important to correctly describe the course of disease.A prospective multicenter cohort study involving patients with AP from 23 hospitals in Spain. The Atlanta Classification (AC), Revised Atlanta Classification (RAC), and Determinant-based Classification (DBC) were compared. Binary logistic multivariate analysis was performed to investigate independent determinants of severity.A total of 1655 patients were included; 70 patients (4.2%) died. RAC and DBC were equally superior to AC for describing the clinical course of AP. Although any kind of organ failure was associated with increased morbidity and mortality, persistent organ failure (POF) was the most significant determinant of severity. All local complications were associated with worse outcomes. Infected pancreatic necrosis correlated with high morbidity, but in the presence of POF, it was not associated to higher mortality when compared with sterile necrotizing pancreatitis. Exacerbation of previous comorbidity was associated with increased morbidity and mortality.The RAC and DBC both signify an advance in the description and differentiation of AP patients. Herein, we describe the complications of the disease independently associated to morbidity and mortality. Our findings are valuable not only when designing future studies on AP but also for the improvement of current classifications.

Background/objectives: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is an important complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Guidelines recommend to rule out EPI in CP, to detect those patients who would benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EPI in patients with CP without follow-up in the last 2 years and to describe their nutritional status and quality of life (QoL). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter Spanish study. CP patients without follow-up by a gastroenterologist or surgeon in at least 2 years were included. EPI was defined as fecal elastase test

Hepatocellular carcinoma rarely invades the biliary tree. Clots or tumor embolus passing though the bile duct can cause pancreatitis by a mechanism similar to gallstone pancreatitis. We present the case of a patient with recurrent acute pancreatitis, initially suspicious of biliary origin. Despite cholecystectomy he had new episodes of acute pancreatitis. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed after the third episode. ERCP findings suggested the presence of a fistula connecting the tumor and the biliary tree. The patient was operated and the hepatocellular carcinoma was resected. Its pathological analysis confirmed the communication between the tumor and the biliary duct.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially serious disease whose incidence is on the increase. Pancreas divisum does not meet the required criteria to be considered an aetiological factor. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may be another cause of idiopathic AP. Less invasive methods cannot replace Sphincter of Oddi manometry in diagnosis. Almost half of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome develop organ failure, but the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Obesity is a risk factor for severity in AP; the cause could be the presence of free unsaturated fatty acids, which have pro-inflammatory activity. Prognosis is better in patients with isolated extra-pancreatic necrosis than in those with parenchymal necrosis or with both. The mortality rate among those with infected pancreatic necrosis is 15-20%. The "moderately severe" group is widely heterogeneous and this category may require redefinition. Laparoscopic treatment of pseudocysts is an alternative to endoscopic drainage and could be the first-line option in patients requiring cholecystectomy. The use of lumen-apposing metal stents to treat pancreatic necrosis is cost-effective. Quality of life in some patients following an attack of AP is significantly impaired even at 1 year. Aggressive fluid therapy is not superior to standard fluid therapy in preventing post-ERCP AP. The role of statins in AP prevention is still unclear. Aggressive fluid resuscitation and the use of lactated Ringer solution seem to be beneficial in the treatment of AP.

Aim.To determine the serum prealbumin (PA), retinol binding protein (RBP), and retinol levels in adult patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to analyze some factors related to those levels.Methods.A total of 93 patients (47 women) were studied. Age, gender, BMI, duration of diabetes, chronic complications, HbA1c, lipid profile, creatinine, albumin, PA, RBP, and retinol were recorded. High and low parameter groups were compared by Mann–WhitneyUandχ2tests. Correlation between parameters was analyzed by Spearman’s test. Odds of low levels were analyzed by univariate logistic regression and included in the multivariate analysis when significant.Results.49.5%, 48.4%, and 30.1% of patients displayed serum PA, RBP, and retinol levels below normal values, respectively. A high correlation (Rho > 0.8) between PA, RBP, and retinol serum levels was found. Patients presenting low levels of any of them were predominantly women, normal-weighted, and with lower levels of triglycerides and serum creatinine. No differences in age, macrovascular complications, duration of diabetes, or HbA1c values were observed when comparing low and normal parameter groups.Conclusion.Low serum levels of PA, RBP, and retinol are frequent in T1D adult patients. This alteration is influenced by female sex and serum creatinine and triglyceride levels.

Objectives Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a form of chronic pancreatitis that has been reported worldwide for the last two decades. The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical profile of patients from Spain with AIP, as well as treatments, relapses and long-term outcomes. Methods Data from 59 patients with suspected AIP that had been diagnosed in 15 institutions are retrospectively analysed. Subjects are classified according to the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC). Patients with type 1 AIP (AIP1) and type 2 AIP (AIP2) are compared. Kaplan–Meier methodology is used to estimate the overall survival without relapses. Results Fifty-two patients met ICDC, 45 patients were AIP1 (86.5%). Common manifestations included abdominal pain (65.4%) and obstructive jaundice (51.9%). Diffuse enlargement of pancreas was present in 51.0%; other organ involvement was present in 61.5%. Serum IgG4 increased in 76.7% of AIP1 patients vs. 20.0% in AIP2 (p = 0.028). Tissue specimens were obtained in 76.9%. Initial successful treatment with steroids or surgery was achieved in 79.8% and 17.3%, respectively. Maintenance treatment was given in 59.6%. Relapses were present in 40.4% of AIP1, with a median of 483 days. Successful long-term remission was achieved in 86.4%. Conclusions AIP1 is the most frequent form of AIP in Spain in our dataset. Regularly, ICDC allows AIP diagnosis without the need for surgery. Steroid and chirurgic treatments were effective and safe in most patients with AIP, although maintenance was required many times because of their tendency to relapse. Long-term serious consequences were uncommon.