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Background & Aims: Systemic inflammation is a driver of decompensation in cirrhosis with unclear relevance in the compensated stage. We evaluated inflammation and bacterial translocation markers in compensated cirrhosis and their dynamics in relation to the first decompensation. Methods: This study is nested within the PREDESCI trial, which investigated non-selective beta-blockers for preventing decompensation in compensated cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH: hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mmHg). Blood biomarkers were measured at baseline and at 1 and 2 years in patients who remained compensated and had available samples (n = 164). Values of patients with CSPH were split at each time point by decompensation development in the next time interval after sampling. We also included 54 patients with cirrhosis and subclinical portal hypertension (PH) and 35 controls. We assessed markers of inflammation (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha, von Willebrand factor [vWF], C-reactive protein), macrophage activation (CD14, CD163), intestinal barrier integrity (fatty acid-binding protein [FABP], haptoglobin), and bacterial translocation (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). Results: IL-6, CD163, and vWF were higher (p

Background & Aims: Spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS) develop frequently in cirrhosis. Changes over time and the effect of aetiological interventions on SPSS are unknown, so we aimed to explore the effect of these variables on SPSS evolution. Methods: Patients with cirrhosis from the Baveno VI-SPSS cohort were selected provided a follow-up abdominal CT or MRI scan was available. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline and follow-up. Imaging tests were reviewed to evaluate changes in the presence and size of SPSS (large (L)-SPSS was ≥8 mm) over time. Regarding alcohol- or HCV-related cirrhosis, two populations were defined: cured patients (abstinent from alcohol or successful HCV therapy), and non-cured patients. Results: A total of 617 patients were included. At baseline SPSS distribution was 22% L-SPSS, 30% small (S)-SPSS, and 48% without (W)-SPSS. During follow-up (median follow-up of 63 months), SPSS distribution worsened: L-SPSS 26%, S-SPSS 32%, and W-SPSS 42% (p

Lazarus et al. evaluate the cascade of care for people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated within six public hospitals in Madrid, Spain. The authors report on potential gaps in care in specific populations, including inadequate testing and loss to follow-up, and their implications on HCV micro-elimination in Madrid.

Abstract Chronic viral hepatitis infection affects an estimated 325 million people globally. People who initiate treatment after significant disease progression face increased risk of severe liver complications and death. Data are scarce on the characteristics and risk factors of people who present late to care in Spain and globally. Data were collected from January 2018 to December 2019 to report late presentation (LP) to specialist care at 11 large university hospitals in Spain to assess related risk factors using a multivariable logistic regression model. 2290 (CHB = 505, CHC = 1785) patients were analysed, with 581 (25.2%) presenting late. Hepatitis C patients more frequently reported LP compared to hepatitis B patients (28.1% vs 15.0%; p

Introduction and Objectives: Sarcopenia is one of the most common complications of cirrhosis, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. It is therefore necessary to perform a proper nutritional evaluation in these patients. Although CT scans are the gold standard for diagnosing sarcopenia, they are not widely used in clinical practice. There is thus a need to find indirect methods for identifying sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study consecutively including all cirrhotic outpatients who underwent CT scans. Results: A total of 174 patients met all the inclusion criteria and none of exclusion criteria. Fifty-five patients (31.6%) showed sarcopenia on CT scans. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors that were independently associated with the presence of sarcopenia on CT scans were: male sex (OR 11.27, 95% CI 3.53–35.95; p

Background and AimsMonitoring of acute or chronic response to beta-blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis is based on the measurement of the HVPG. Our aim was to evaluate the response to beta-blockers with non-invasive techniques.Patients and MethodsThis is a prospective observational study. Consecutive patients with an indication of primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding who did not meet exclusion criteria were included. Acute response and chronic response were evaluated. Baseline and after acute and chronic response hepatosplenic measurements of TE and ARFI were obtained. Contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound was performed before and after acute and chronic responses.ResultsFrom June 2015 to May 2018, 55 patients (14 with exclusion criteria) were included. We analyzed 41 patients, mean age 57 (SD: 8), 82.9% men, alcohol 43.9%, children A/B/C 78%/17.1%/4.9%, and 87.8% on primary prophylaxis. In all, the acute response was performed and was positive in 68.3% (CI 95: 55–85%). The chronic response was performed in 30 (73.2%) and was positive in 36.7% (CI 95: 18–55%). Basal measurements significantly related to acute response were spleen TE [responders 58.4 (SD: 23.0) KPa vs. non-responders 75 (SD: 0) KPa; p = 0.02] and damping index [non-responders 0.96 (0.8) vs. responders 0.44 (0.4), p = 0.01], and with chronic response, the spleen TE [responders 58.1 (SD: 21.4) KPa vs. non-responders 73.2 (SD: 5.5) KPa; p = 0.02], and damping index [non-chronic responders 0.8 (0.7) vs. chronic responders 0.4 (0.4), p = 0.04]. A spleen TE ≥ 74 KPa had a high sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 60% and a high NPV100% for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers. The damping index > 0.6 showed moderate sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 69% with a high NPV of 82% for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers. The combination of both measurements for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers had an AUC of 0.8 (CI 95: 0.5–0.9). A spleen TE ≥ 74 KPa had a high sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 71% with a high NPV of 71% for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers. A damping index > 0.6 had moderate sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 82%, and NPV of 56% for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers. The combination of both measurements for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers had an AUC of 0.8 (CI 95: 0.7–0.9).ConclusionSpleen TE and damping index can identify a subgroup of patients with poor acute or chronic response to beta-blockers.

Background & Aims: Mitochondria are the major organelles for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been described as a key factor in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease. The methylation-controlled J-protein (MCJ) is a mitochondrial protein that interacts with and represses the function of complex I of the electron transport chain. The relevance of MCJ in the pathology of cholestasis has not yet been explored. Methods: We studied the relationship between MCJ and cholestasis-induced liver injury in liver biopsies from patients with chronic cholestatic liver diseases, and in livers and primary hepatocytes obtained from WT and MCJ-KO mice. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was used as an animal model of cholestasis, and primary hepatocytes were treated with toxic doses of bile acids. We evaluated the effect of MCJ silencing for the treatment of cholestasis-induced liver injury. Results: Elevated levels of MCJ were detected in the liver tissue of patients with chronic cholestatic liver disease when compared with normal liver tissue. Likewise, in mouse models, the hepatic levels of MCJ were increased. After BDL, MCJ-KO animals showed significantly decreased inflammation and apoptosis. In an in vitro model of bile-acid induced toxicity, we observed that the loss of MCJ protected mouse primary hepatocytes from bile acid-induced mitochondrial ROS overproduction and ATP depletion, enabling higher cell viability. Finally, the in vivo inhibition of the MCJ expression, following BDL, showed reduced liver injury and a mitigation of the main cholestatic characteristics. Conclusions: We demonstrated that MCJ is involved in the progression of cholestatic liver injury, and our results identified MCJ as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the liver injury caused by cholestasis. Lay summary: In this study, we examine the effect of mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibition by MCJ on bile acid-induced liver toxicity. The loss of MCJ protects hepatocytes against apoptosis, mitochondrial ROS overproduction, and ATP depletion as a result of bile acid toxicity. Our results identify MCJ as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate liver injury in cholestatic liver diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to stratify medications used in hospital care according to their potential risk. Method: The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical subgroups were classified according to their potential risk. A literature search, bulletins, and alerts issued by patient safety organizations were used to identify the potential safety risk of these subgroups. Nine experts in patient/medication safety were selected to score the subgroups for their appropriateness in the classification. Two evaluation rounds were conducted: the first by email and the second by a panel meeting. Results: A total of 298 Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical subgroups were evaluated. They were classified into three scenarios (low, medium, and high risk). In the first round, 266 subgroups were classified as appropriate to the assigned scenario, 32 were classified as uncertain, and none were classified as inappropriate. In the second round, all subgroups were classified as appropriate. The most frequent subgroups in the low-risk scenario belonged to group A “Alimentary tract and metabolism” (44%); the most frequent in the medium-risk scenario belonged to group J “Antiinfectives for systemic use” (32%); and the most frequent in the high-risk scenario belonged to group L “Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents” (29%) and group N “Nervous system” (26%). Conclusions: Based on the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical subgroups used in hospital care were classified according to their potential risk (low, medium, or high). These lists can be incorporated into a risk-scoring tool for future patient/medication safety studies.

Introduction In the teaching of clinical ethics, many traditional methods have been used that aim to develop competencies in the face of ethical challenges. Situations that can be reproduced in a standardized way through clinical simulation can be presented and evaluated in the training process of health professionals; however, its use requires evidence of effectiveness. Objective To identify and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of teaching clinical ethics using simulation as a learning tool. Methods We conducted a bibliographic review, with searches in PubMed, LILACS and Cochrane databases using English and Spanish: "Ethics, Clinical/education" [Mesh]) AND "Simulation Training" [Mesh], without methodological filters, published from inception of each database until July 2019, without language, geographical or temporal restrictions. We considered as a primary outcome the identification, resolution or reflection on ethical problems. Results One hundred sixteen studies were retrieved. Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. Narrative reviews and opinion articles were excluded. The population to whom the intervention was applied were mainly students in nursing, medicine, and dentistry. A study in a multidisciplinary ethics committee was also included. The intervention was the use of the simulation technique with a standardized patient. Only two studies compared with traditional methods. Sixty percent considered the intervention to have favorable results on the primary outcome. Conclusions To date, there are few studies with very low quality of evidence that evaluate the effectiveness of clinical simulation in teaching clinical ethics. The studies found that, in the short term, this methodology allows participants to identify, solve or reflect on ethical problems by using standardized patients and it seems to be advisable to incorporate simulation techniques as part of the teaching and evaluation curriculum of clinical ethics, to the extent that resources are available.

Introduction: The possibility of developing idiopathic portal hypertension has been described with thiopurine treatment despite compromises the prognosis of these patients, the fact its true prevalence is unknown. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients followed at our unit, to determine the prevalence of diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and its relationship with thiopurine treatment. Results: At the time of the analysis, 927/1,419 patients were under treatment with thiopurine drugs (65%). A total of 4 patients with IBD type Crohn's disease with idiopathic portal hypertension probably related to the thiopurine treatment were identified (incidence of 4.3 cases per 1,000). Seventy-five percent of patients started with signs or symptoms of portal hypertension. Only one patient was asymptomatic but the diagnosis of IPH because of isolated thrombocytopenia is suspected. However, note that all patients had thrombocytopenia previously. Abdominal ultrasound with fibroscan, hepatic vein catheterization and liver biopsy were performed on all of them as part of the etiology of portal hypertension. In the abdominal ultrasound, indirect portal hypertension data were observed in all patients (as splenomegaly) cirrhosis was also ruled out. The fibroscan data showed significant liver fibrosis (F2-F3). Conclusion: Idiopathic portal hypertension following thiopurine treatment in IBD patients is a rare occurrence, but it must be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis for early diagnosis, especially in patients undergoing thiopurine treatment over a long period. The presence of thrombocytopenia is often the only predictor of its development in the preclinical stage.

Background and rational. Telaprevir-based therapy (TBT) has been extensively evaluated in clinical trials. So we designed a study to compare the efficacy and safety of TBT between patients with moderate fibrosis and those suffering from advanced fibrosis in clinical practice. A multicenter observational and ambispective study was conducted. It included 582 patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, 214 with fibrosis F2, and 368 with F3/F4 (F3: 148; F4: 220).Results. The mean patient age was 55 years, 67% male. Type of prior response was 22% naïve, 57% relapsers, and 21% partial/null responders, 69% had high viral load (> 800,000 IU/mL). HCV genotypes were 1a (19%), 1b (69%), and 1 (12%), respectively. Sixty-five percent were non-CC IL28B genotype. Week-12 sustained virologic response (SVR12) was significantly higher among F2-naïve patients (78%) compared with F3/F4-naïve patients (60%; p = 0.039) and among F2 non-responders (67%) compared with F3/F4 non-responders (42%; p = 0.014). SVR12 among relapsers was remarkably high in both groups (F2:89% vs. F3/F4:78%). Severe anemia and thrombocytopenia were more frequent among patients with F3/F4 than those with F2 (p < 0.01). Overall, 132 patients (22%) discontinued treatment: 58 due to adverse effects, 42 due to the stopping-rule, and 32 due to breakthrough. Premature discontinuation was more frequent among patients with F3/F4 (p = 0.028), especially due to breakthrough (p < 0.001). Conclusions. This multicenter study demonstrates high efficacy and an acceptable safety profile with regard to TBT in F2-patients in clinical practice.

Background: Polycystic liver in the adult (PLA) is a rare disease characterized by chronic liver enlargement. Objective: To analyse gastroenterologists' involvement in, experience with, and attitude toward diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients with PLA in Spain. Methods: Each of seven study coordinators contacted 15 specialists in their geographic area about participating in the study via an online structured survey. Results: Of the 105 clinics contacted, 88 completed the questionnaire, with a mean of 3 patients being followed per practice, although 6 clinics were following more than 20 patients with PLA. Patients were being followed mainly by the Department of Hepatology (81 %) and/or the Department of Gastroenterology (33 %). The majority of patients were diagnosed (98 %) and monitored (97 %) using liver ultrasound. When diagnosed, 76 % of patients were under 50 years of age, females predominating. The primary treatment objective for the patients was symptomatic management. Pharmacotherapy was prescribed by 28 % of physicians: Somatostatin analogues, primarily, followed by mTOR inhibitors. One-third of the clinics indicated that they had patients who had undergone liver transplant and/or surgery. Conclusions: Ultrasound is the diagnosing and monitoring method of choice. Among the clinics using pharmacotherapy for symptomatic management, somatostatin analogues were the drugs of choice. These clinics' infrequent use of invasive procedures suggests that they perceive the various invasive techniques as not very effective.

Introduction and objectives: prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence. Methods: blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively. Results: a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 ± 9 years vs. 39 ± 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 ± 45 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) value (104 ± 122 IU/L vs. 37 ± 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 ± 15 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). Conclusions: prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV.

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN La hipertensión arterial requiere de intervenciones efectivas para reducir la morbimortalidad cardiovascular. Las terapias farmacológicas han logrado alcanzar cifras óptimas de presión arterial en los afectados. En las guías clínicas recientes se sugiere la utilización de las combinaciones de medicamentos, esto ha llevado a elaborar una diversidad de combinaciones a dosis fija. OBJETIVO Buscar la mejor evidencia bibliográfica disponible sobre la efectividad de los medicamentos antihipertensivos en combinaciones a dosis fija, en comparación con combinaciones a dosis separadas para controlar la presión arterial, la adherencia al tratamiento y disminución de la morbimortalidad cardiovascular. MÉTODOS Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de literatura de las mejores evidencias disponibles en las bases de datos: MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane y publicaciones institucionales de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y Organización Panamericana de la Salud. RESULTADOS Del total de estudios encontrados, se seleccionaron dos metanálisis que compararon las dos combinaciones. En ambas se evaluó el cumplimiento de la medicación, no se evaluó el control de presión arterial o efectos en los eventos cardiovasculares. Ambos estudios son de muy baja calidad de evidencia por sus limitaciones en la búsqueda, calidad subóptima de los estudios incluidos y lo heterogéneo de las variables analizadas. En las políticas de medicamentos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud no se sugiere el uso de antihipertensivos con combinaciones a dosis fijas. En Chile no están incluidos en el formulario nacional de medicamentos. CONCLUSIÓN Se requieren estudios bien diseñados para demostrar la efectividad de los medicamentos antihipertensivos en combinación a dosis fijas en comparación con combinaciones a dosis separadas para control de la presión arterial, la adherencia al tratamiento y disminución de la morbimortalidad cardiovascular.

Dyspepsia and functional dyspepsia represent a highly significant public health issue. A good definition of dyspepsia is key for helping us to better approach symptoms, decision making, and therapy indications. During the last few years many attempts were made at establishing a definition of dyspepsia. Results were little successful on most occasions, and clear discrepancies arose on whether symptoms should be associated with digestion, which types of symptoms were to be included, which anatomic location should symptoms have, etc. The Rome III Committee defined dyspepsia as "a symptom or set of symptoms that most physicians consider to originate from the gastroduodenal area", including the following: postprandial heaviness, early satiety, and epigastric pain or burning. Two new entities were defined: a) food-induced dyspeptic symptoms (postprandial distress syndrome); and b) epigastric pain (epigastric pain syndrome). These and other definitions have shown both strengths and weaknesses. At times they have been much too complex, at times much too simple; furthermore, they have commonly erred on the side of being inaccurate and impractical. On the other hand, some (the most recent ones) are difficult to translate into the Spanish language. In a meeting of gastroenterologists with a special interest in digestive functional disorders, the various aspects of dyspepsia definition were discussed and put to the vote, and the following conclusions were arrived at: dyspepsia is defined as a set of symptoms, either related or unrelated to food ingestion, localized on the upper half of the abdomen. They include: a) epigastric discomfort (as a category of severity) or pain; b) postprandial heaviness; and c) early satiety. Associated complaints include: nausea, belching, bloating, and epigastric burn (heartburn). All these must be scored according to severity and frequency. Furthermore, psychological factors may be involved in the origin of functional dyspepsia. On the other hand, it has proven very difficult to establish a clear correlation between symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms.La dispepsia, y la dispepsia funcional, suponen un problema de salud pública muy importante. Es fundamental disponer de una buena definición de dispepsia que nos ayude a un mejor enfoque de los síntomas, toma de decisiones e indicación de tratamiento. Durante los últimos años ha habido muchos intentos de establecer una definición de dispepsia. En la mayoría de los casos el resultado no ha sido muy afortunado y han existido discrepancias claras en si los síntomas debían o no estar relacionados con la digestión, qué tipo de síntomas se debían incluir, cuál debería ser la localización anatómica de las molestias, etc. El comité de Roma III definió la dispepsia como "síntoma o conjunto de síntomas que la mayoría de médicos consideran tienen su origen en la región gastroduodenal" incluyendo los siguientes: pesadez postprandial, saciedad precoz y dolor o ardor epigástrico; se definieron dos entidades nuevas: a) síntomas dispépticos inducidos por la comida (síndrome del distrés postprandial); y b) dolor epigástrico (síndrome del dolor epigástrico). Esta y otras definiciones han tenido sus ventajas y sus inconvenientes. En algunos casos han sido demasiado complejas y en otras sencillas en exceso; además, frecuentemente han pecado de ser demasiado imprecisas y poco prácticas. Por otra parte, algunas (las más recientes) no son fácilmente aplicables al idioma español. En una reunión de especialistas en aparato digestivo con especial interés en los trastornos funcionales digestivos se sometieron a discusión y votación los distintos aspectos de la definición de dispepsia llegando a las siguientes conclusiones. La dispepsia se define como un conjunto de síntomas, relacionados o no con la ingesta, localizados en el hemiabdomen superior, siendo estos: a) molestia (como categoría de intensidad) o dolor epigástrico; b) pesadez postprandial; y c) saciedad precoz. Se consideran síntomas asociados: náusea, eructo, distensión abdominal y ardor epigástrico. Todos ellos deben graduarse de acuerdo a su intensidad y frecuencia. Además, en el caso de la dispepsia funcional, se debe reconocer que en su origen pueden estar implicados factores psicológicos. Por otra parte, es difícil establecer una correlación clara entre síntomas y mecanismos fisiopatológicos.

Chorea rarely complicates ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebral vascular lesions. Clinical symptoms usually involve one side of the body while the injury is situated on the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. Spontaneous remission is the norm, but sometimes symptomatic treatment is required. A 58-year-old male patient who suffers from untreated high blood pressure, type II obesity, smokes 6 packs of cigarettes per year and has a moderate intake of alcohol is presented. The patient’s recent history began three days before he appeared at the Emergency Department. His symptoms were ceaseless, involuntary movements in his left arm and foot during day and night with no restriction of voluntary movements. Physical examination and laboratory tests revealed no other findings. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed hyperintensity in the right posterolateral thalamic region consistent with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Symptomatic therapy was indicated and his underlying conditions were addressed. The importance of this case lies on the low prevalence as well as the scarcity of publications regarding vascular causes of hemichorea, including diagnosis, therapy and prognosis.

Introduction: The prevalence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients that have undergone liver transplantation (LT) is 9.7% (SD 4.5). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence, assess the factors that are associated with PVT and clarify their association with prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and LT. Aims and methods: From 2005 to 2014, laboratory, radiological and surgical data were collected from patients with LC in our center who had undergone LT for the first time. Results: One hundred and ninety-one patients were included. The mean age was 55 (SD 9), 75.4% of patients were male and 48.7% had HCV. The Child-Pugh scores were A/B/C 41.9%/35.9%/25.5% and the MELD score was 15 (SD 6). Previous decompensations were: ascites (61.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (34.4%), variceal bleeding (25.4%), hepatocellular carcinoma (48.9%) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SPB) (14.3%). The mean post-transplant follow-up was 42 months (0-113). PVT was diagnosed at LT in 18 patients (9.4%). Six patients were previously diagnosed using imaging tests (33.3%): 2 patients (11.1%) by DU and 4 patients (22.2%) by CT scan. All patients with PVT had DU in a mean time of 6 months before LT (0-44) and 90 patients (47.1%) had a CT scan in a median time of 6 months before LT (0-45). PVT was significantly related to the presence of SBP (33.3% vs 12.6%; p = 0.02) and lower levels of albumin (3.1g/dl vs 3.4g/dl; p = 0.05). MELD was higher in patients with PVT (16.6 vs 14.9; p = 0.3). There were no significant differences with regard to the need for transfusion of blood components. Moreover, the surgery time was similar in both groups. PVT correlated with a higher mortality in the first 30 days (8.8% vs 16.7%; p = 0.2). Conclusion: Prior history of SBP and lower levels of albumin were identified as factors associated with PVT. The pre-transplant diagnosis rate is very low and the presence of PVT may have implications for short-term mortality.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is characterised by small vessel necrotising inflammatory vasculitis. Prior to immunosupressant therapy availability it usually led to a fatal outcome. Current treatment has changed ANCA-associated vasculitis into a condition with a significant response rate, although with a not negligible relapse occurrence and cumulative organ lesions, mostly due to drug-related toxicities. The use of glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide and other immunosupressants (such as azathioprine, mychophenolate and methotrexate) was optimised in a series of clinical trials that established the treatment of reference. In recent years, a better knowledge of B lymphocyte function and the role of complement inhibition has transformed the course of this disease while minimising treatment-related adverse effects.This multidisciplinary document of recommendations is based on the consensus of three scientific societies (Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology) and on the best available evidence on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, including some special situations. The aim of this document is to provide updated information and well-grounded clinical recommendations to practising physicians as to how to improve the diagnosis and treatment outcome of our patients. Resumen: Las vasculitis asociadas a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) se caracterizan por una inflamación necrotizante de vasos pequeños. Antes de la llegada del tratamiento inmunosupresor solían tener un desenlace fatal. El tratamiento ha transformado las vasculitis en una enfermedad con una importante tasa de respuesta, pero con un porcentaje nada despreciable de recidivas y un daño orgánico acumulado, en gran parte debido a las toxicidades relacionadas con los fármacos. El uso de glucocorticoides, ciclofosfamida y otros inmunosupresores (como azatioprina, micofenolato y metotrexato) se optimizó mediante una serie de ensayos clínicos que establecieron un tratamiento de referencia. En los últimos años, la mejora de los conocimientos sobre los linfocitos B y la inhibición del complemento ha revolucionado el curso de la enfermedad y minimizado los efectos adversos del tratamiento.El presente documento multidisciplinar de recomendaciones se ha basado en un consenso de tres especialidades (Medicina Interna, Nefrología y Reumatología) y en la mejor evidencia disponible acerca del diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento del paciente con vasculitis asociada a ANCA, incluyendo situaciones especiales. El objetivo es brindar a los médicos que manejan habitualmente este tipo de enfermedades, información actualizada y recomendaciones clínicas bien fundamentadas, que mejoren el enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico de nuestros pacientes.

Resumen: Las vasculitis asociadas a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) se caracterizan por una inflamación necrotizante de vasos pequeños. Antes de la llegada del tratamiento inmunosupresor solían tener un desenlace fatal. El tratamiento ha transformado las vasculitis en una enfermedad con una importante tasa de respuesta, pero con un porcentaje nada despreciable de recidivas y un daño orgánico acumulado, en gran parte debido a las toxicidades relacionadas con los fármacos. El uso de glucocorticoides (GC), ciclofosfamida (CFM)y otros inmunosupresores (como azatioprina [AZA], micofenolato y metotrexato [MTX]) se optimizó mediante una serie de ensayos clínicos que establecieron un tratamiento de referencia. En los últimos años, la mejora de los conocimientos sobre los linfocitos B y la inhibición del complemento ha revolucionado el curso de la enfermedad y minimizado los efectos adversos (EA) del tratamiento.El presente documento multidisciplinar de recomendaciones se ha basado en un consenso de tres especialidades (Medicina Interna, Nefrología y Reumatología) y en la mejor evidencia disponible acerca del diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento del paciente con vasculitis asociada a ANCA, incluyendo situaciones especiales. El objetivo es brindar a los médicos que manejan habitualmente este tipo de enfermedades, información actualizada y recomendaciones clínicas bien fundamentadas, que mejoren el enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico de nuestros pacientes. Abstract: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is characterised by small vessel necrotising inflammatory vasculitis. Prior to immunosupressant therapy availability it usually led to a fatal outcome. Current treatment has changed ANCA-associated vasculitis into a condition with a significant response rate, although with a not negligible relapse occurrence and cumulative organ lesions, mostly due to drug-related toxicities. The use of glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide and other immunosupressants (such as azathioprine, mychophenolate and methotrexate) was optimised in a series of clinical trials that established the treatment of reference. In recent years, a better knowledge of B lymphocyte function and the role of complement inhibition has transformed the course of this disease while minimising treatment-related adverse effects.This multidisciplinary document of recommendations is based on the consensus of three scientific societies (Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology) and on the best available evidence on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, including some special situations. The aim of this document is to provide updated information and well-grounded clinical recommendations to practising physicians as to how to improve the diagnosis and treatment outcome of our patients.