Arizona Liver Health’s Post

A few months ago, 15 of Brazil’s top hepatologists traveled to Richmond to take part in the Virginia Commonwealth University's VCU Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health inaugural program to train the next generation of #liver specialists. “VCU’s Stravitz-Sanyal liver institute is on a critical global mission to expand our ability to control, treat, #prevent and research #liver and metabolic illnesses,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “Liver health is truly an urgent #publichealth issue worldwide, and our ability to advance treatments and cures depends on innovative research that is focused on patient-centered science and clinical care. Our goal is for VCU to be a global magnet for this training and #research – we welcome partnerships with institutions like USP as we all work together to overcome this global health challenge.” Besides partnering with USP, VCU has agreements with institutions in #India, #Singapore, #Mexico, #Turkey, and industry partners across #Europe and #SoutheastAsia. These collaborations aim to help the institute create a global cohort of 100,000 patients for long-term #liverdisease research and to improve understanding of liver function in metabolic health. During the visit, VCU faculty from the School of Medicine engaged with their Brazilian counterparts to discuss various #MASH-related topics: its biology, connection to cardiovascular disease, diagnosis, cirrhosis, treatment and the special concerns of liver disease in children and women. “This was a great opportunity to come and discuss our cases of [MASH]. It’s an epidemic not only here in the U.S. but in the whole of Latin America,” said Mário Pessoa, M.D., an assistant professor at University of São Paulo and president-elect of the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver. “I hope this course can continue so that other colleagues from around the world have the opportunity to come here.” https://lnkd.in/eC9fg9Nd #transplanttuesday #transplantation #organtransplant #liverhealth #liverdisease

Sunday Spotlight 🌟: More than 100,000 people are on the national organ transplant waitlist with another person added every 8 minutes. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is a formula used to assign priority to most liver transplant candidates ≥ 12 years of age based on their medical urgency. In an interview with HCPLive, Sherona Bau, NP, a hepatology nurse practitioner at the UCLA Pfleger Liver Institute, discussed overcoming challenges in using MELD scores to determine liver transplant referrals, as presented at the 2024 Annual GHAPP conference. #Hepatology #LiverTransplant

There is a worldwide epidemic of stereotactic (fatty) liver disease that affects up to 35% of Americans. A subset of these patients (~20%) with steatotic liver disease progress to an inflammatory fibrotic condition known as metabolic dysfunction associated steaothepatitis or MASH (previously called #NASH), which leads to progressive scarring and ultimately liver failure. Because MASH is part of a systemic condition known as the metabolic syndrome, other organs may also be affected, but few studies have explored MASH’s association with renal fibrosis, or scarring. Using a highly relevant and well validated mouse model of #MASH, researchers at Mount Sinai have shown that these mice not only develop liver disease similar to humans, but also progressive kidney damage and scarring. They have also shown a direct contribution of fatty liver to the development of kidney disease by using liver transplant experiments. The findings suggest that a similar association is likely in human MASH and therefore kidney scarring and damage may be present as well, a possibility that is largely overlooked by physicians currently caring for these patients. Full article: https://bit.ly/41X7msx

Exciting News! Our recent research article, "Impact of Comorbid Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Clinical and Laboratory Parameters in Female Adolescents with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study," has been published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine! In this study, we aimed to explore the under-researched intersection between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in female adolescents. While the prevalence of MASLD in PCOS has been widely studied, the presence of PCOS among adolescents with confirmed MASLD remains poorly characterized. Our findings highlight significant clinical differences between the two groups. Adolescents with MASLD and comorbid PCOS demonstrated higher weight, reduced height, and increased waist circumference. Notably, the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans was markedly higher in the PCOS cohort. Laboratory results revealed distinct profiles, including lower serum phosphorus levels and liver enzymes in the PCOS group, though no differences were observed in lipid profiles or glucose metabolism. These insights could refine future screening protocols for MASLD and PCOS in pediatric hepatology, paving the way for improved patient care. #Research #PCOS #MASLD https://lnkd.in/dXvPFXAR

Thomas Cotter, M.D., an Assistant Professor in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, and colleagues recently published their findings about racial and ethnic disparities in alcohol-associated liver disease in Hepatology Communications, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. At UT Southwestern, the findings prompted the next iteration of research from the Cotter research group, the Dallas Dionysus Study, which will soon start enrolling participants prospectively at UTSW and Parkland, and will also include a cohort from Choctaw Nation aimed at understanding the important prognostic factors in ALD. Read more about the Cotter research group: https://lnkd.in/eHhDjvKx

Crafting Integrated CKLM Trials: A Deep Dive at MOSAIC 2024! Join our expert panel on Oct 25 to discuss the critical elements for designing effective integrated CKLM trials: - Defining ideal target patient populations for liver and CK outcomes. - Addressing diversity and inclusiveness in CKLM research. - Navigating the journey from surrogate endpoints to hard liver outcomes. - Understanding the value of composite endpoints integrating CKM and liver components. - Gaining insights from a statistician's perspective. Shape the future of multi-organ, multi-stakeholder clinical trials in MASH/MAFLD! #MOSAIC2024 #ClinicalTrials #NASH #MASH #MAFLD #Multistakeholder #ThinkTank #WashingtonDC Javed Butler Veronica Miller Faiez Zannad American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) American College of Gastroenterology American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) EASL | The Home of Hepatology European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Society of America European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) European Association for the Study of Diabetes e.V. (EASD) International Diabetes Federation Endocrine Society American Diabetes Association European Society of Endocrinology ICON plc Prashanth Sentilkumar PRA Health Sciences PPD IQVIA Covance Julius Clinical Worldwide Clinical Trials Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) ACRP - Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Exciting news from a study at Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: 'Screening for fibrosis promotes life-style changes. A prospective cohort study in 4,796 individuals'. Authors: Maria Kjærgaard, Katrine Prier Lindvig, Katrine Holtz Thorhauge, Stine Johansen, Johanne Kragh Hansen, Peter Andersen, Camilla Dalby Hansen, Helle Lindholm Schnefeld, Katrine Tholstrup Bech, Nikolaj Torp, Mads Israelsen, Sönke Detlefsen, Isabel Graupera, Pere Gines, Aleksander Krag, Maja Thiele. Key Points: Study Focus: Investigated the impact of liver fibrosis screening on individuals at risk for alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methodology: Prospective study of the Danish general population, with transient elastography used for fibrosis screening. Participants also received liver health results and lifestyle advice. Results: Among 4796 participants, those at risk for ALD or MASLD showed remarkable lifestyle changes. In the ALD group, excessive drinking dropped significantly, and in the MASLD group, improvements in diet, exercise, and weight were noted. Implications: The study suggests that liver fibrosis screening acts as a catalyst for behavioral change, enhancing motivation for healthier living. Caveats: The study noted potential biases like selection bias, especially in the ALD group, and recall bias in reporting alcohol use. This study highlights the power of preventive health measures in promoting significant lifestyle changes. #LiverHealth #PreventiveCare #LifestyleChange #HealthScreening #ClinicalResearch [Link to this study https://lnkd.in/gZ32U33v for further reading and detailed insights]

I am very excited to announce Maple Health Group, LLC's recent publication in Hepatology (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)) that I co-authored! I was very honored to have the opportunity to work on this important study with these incredible co-authors! Individuals with HDV/HBV have a higher risk of comorbid conditions and mortality related to severe liver disease compared to individuals with HBV alone. There are many limitations to understanding the true prevalence of HDV/HBV infection. However, there is an imminent need to improve our screening practices to better provide more timely intervention for individuals living with HDV in order to mitigate the progression of liver disease. I am hopeful that this work will not only provide a better general awareness HDV and it's estimated prevalence in the US, but also highlight the importance of identifying patients with HDV/HBV infection early, and contribute to meaningful change in the treatment of these individuals. https://lnkd.in/gnp_cqPE

How do you find something that is invisible? 🔎 The largest challenge faced with steatotic liver disease is its invisibility to the patient and the physician. In recent research, our founder Katrine Prier Lindvig contributed to the understanding of how we can leverage algorithms to overcome this challenge in detecting liver disease. Diagnostic algorithms can combine blood tests, imaging results and patient characteristics and are highly effective at finding liver disease, that the naked eye cannot. Algorithms are especially suited to find liver disease in patients with excess liver fat caused by type 2 diabetes, obesity or excess alcohol consumption. Since steatotic liver disease is mainly prevalent in these three risk groups, data-driven screening presents a huge opportunity. This is what we at Evido are working to present to the market, to change the paradigm around steatotic liver disease. 💡 Read the full paper here 📖 : https://lnkd.in/e5K7dxej #datadrivenhealthcare #diagnostics #liverdisease #digitalhealth #healthcareresearch

#WorldRareDiseaseDay 🌍 On 29 February, the 'International Rare Disease Day Symposium' was held at Can Ruti Campus, hosted by Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP). The event featured a collaboration of health professionals, researchers, and patient association representatives, all focused on advancing the field of rare diseases. 🔹 Speakers emphasised the importance of research in providing hope and new treatments for rare disease patients. Highlighting innovative approaches in therapy and patient care, the symposium offered valuable insights into precision medicine, immunotherapy, and translational research, aiming to improve outcomes for those affected by rare conditions. 🔹 IGTP was represented by six researchers who had the opportunity to share their research on various lesser-known diseases with significant impacts on patients. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/epMmHt7D #RareDiseaseDay #RareDiseaseResearch #PrecisionMedicine #Immunotherapy #TranslationalResearch #PatientCare