A Meta-analysis on Associated Risk of Mortality in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

ObjectiveNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects much of the worldwide population and poses a significant burden to the global healthcare. The rising numbers of individuals with NAFLD and instances of mortality point toward the importance of understanding the association causes of mortality in NAFLD. This meta-analysis aimed to seek the associations of NAFLD with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, liver-related, and cancer-related mortality.MethodsMEDLINE and Embase were searched for articles relating to causes of mortality between NAFLD and non-NAFLD. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to analyze adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to reduce heterogeneity through a graphical display of study heterogeneity.ResultsFifteen studies involving 10 286 490 patients were included. Individuals with NAFLD exhibited an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.09-1.59; P < .01; I² = 96.00%), CVD-related mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.41; P < .01; I² = 81.00%), and cancer-related mortality (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.15-2.41; P < .01; I² = 95.00%). However, no significant association was found between liver-related mortality and NAFLD (HR, 3.58; 95% CI, 0.69-18.46; P =.13; I² = 96.00%). The sensitivity analysis conducted with graphic display of heterogeneity and only population-based studies found similar results.ConclusionNAFLD was associated with an increased risk of all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality but not liver-related mortality. The finding is likely because of low fibrosis prevalence in the community. However, the significant burden in other causes of mortality beyond the liver points to a need for multidisciplinary efforts to reduce the mortality risks.     

Factors Associated with Compliance with Recommendations for Liver Cancer Screening in Korea: A Nationwide Survey in Korea

To investigate the factors associated with compliance with recommendations regarding liver cancer screening intervals and methods among individuals at high-risk for liver cancer in the Republic of Korea. We used data from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV), a representative cross-sectional nationwide survey conducted between 2007 and 2009. The liver cancer screening rate and factors associated with compliance with recommended screening intervals (6 months) and methods (both abdominal ultrasonography and serum alpha-fetoprotein testing) among individuals at high risk for liver cancer such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers were investigated. Out of 24,871 KNHANES IV participants, 604 HBV carriers aged ≥20 years were included in our analysis. 39.6% of our study sample reported attending liver cancer screening at least once in their lifetime, 12.3% had attended within the previous 6 months, and 14.6% were screened using both recommended methods. Older age was associated with increased compliance with screening intervals (P-trend 0.011) and methods (40–49 year: OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.62–6.51; 50–59 years: OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.44–6.66; 60–69 years: OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.28–7.82). Unawareness of HBV infection status was negatively related to compliance with screening intervals and methods (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17–0.53; OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26–0.79). Female sex (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25–0.78), lower household income (P-trend 0.011), and routine and manual occupations (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22–0.97) were associated with decreased compliance with screening methods. The liver cancer screening rate among high-risk individuals is much less suboptimal. Considering that those unaware of their HBV infection status got regular and complete liver cancer screening much less often, efforts should be made not only to decrease sociodemographic disparities, but also to better identify the high-risk population.     

Predictive Factors of Late Venous Aortocoronary Graft Failure: Ultrastructural Studies

Background

Venous aortocoronary graft arterialization may precede a preterm occlusion in some coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. The aim of the present study was to identify ultrastructural variations in the saphenous vein wall that may have an impact on the development of venous graft disease in CABG patients.

Methods

The study involved 365 consecutive patients with a mean age of 62.9±9.4 years who underwent isolated CABG. The thickness and area of the whole venous wall, the tunica intima, the tunica media and the adventitia and the number and shape (length, thickness and length/thickness ratio) of the nuclei in the medial smooth muscle cells nuclei in the distal saphenous vein segments were evaluated by ultrastructural studies. Patients were followed up for 41 to 50 months (mean 45.1±5.1). Saphenous vein graft patency was assessed by follow-up coronary angiography. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for late graft failure.

Results

In 71 patients significant lesions in the saphenous vein grafts were observed. The whole venous wall thickness (437.5 µm vs. 405.5 µm), tunica media thickness (257.2 µm vs. 211.5 µm), whole venous wall area (2.23 mm² vs. 2.02 mm²) and tunica media area (1.09 mm² vs. 0.93 mm²) were significantly larger for this group of patients than for those without graft disease. In the latter group more elongated smooth muscle cell nuclei (higher length/thickness ratio) were found in the tunica media of the saphenous vein segments. Thickening of the saphenous vein tunica media and chunky smooth muscle cell nuclei were identified as independent risk factors for graft disease development.

Conclusions

Saphenous vein tunica media hypertrophy (resulting in wall thickening) and chunky smooth muscle cell nuclei might predict the development of venous graft disease.     

Risk and Prognostic Factors of Inpatient Mortality Associated with Unintentional Insecticide and Herbicide Poisonings: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Pesticide poisoning is an important public health problem worldwide. The study aimed to determine the risk of all-cause and cause-specific inpatient mortality and to identify prognostic factors for inpatient mortality associated with unintentional insecticide and herbicide pesticide poisonings.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 3,986 inpatients recruited at hospitalization between 1999 and 2008 in Taiwan. We used the International Classification of Disease, 9th ed., Clinical Modification external causes of injury codes to classify poisoning agents into accidental poisoning by insecticides and herbicides. Comparisons in mortality rates were made between insecticide poisoning patients and herbicide poisoning patients by using the Cox proportional hazards models to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

There were 168 deaths during 21,583 person-days of follow-up evaluation (7.8 per 1,000 person-days). The major causes of mortality for insecticide poisonings were the toxic effect of organophosphate and coma, and the major causes of mortality for herbicide poisonings were the toxic effect of other pesticides and the toxic effect of organophosphate. The mortality for herbicide exposure was fourfold higher than that for insecticide exposure. The factors associated with inpatient mortality were herbicide poisonings (HR = 4.58, 95% CI 3.29 to 6.37) and receiving mechanical ventilation treatment (HR = 3.85, 95% CI 2.73 to 5.42).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that herbicides stand out as the dominant agent for poisoning-related fatalities. The control of and limiting access to herbicide agents and developing appropriate therapeutic regimens, including emergency care, should be priorities.     

Risk Factors for Graft Failure and Death following Geriatric Renal Transplantation

BackgroundPopulation aging is a major health concern in Asian countries and it has affected the age distribution of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a consequence, the need for kidney transplantation in the geriatric population has increased, but the shortage of donors is an obstacle for geriatric renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for graft failure and death in geriatric renal transplantation.MethodsKidney transplantations performed in a tertiary hospital in South Korea from May 1995 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Recipients younger than 60 years of age or who underwent other organ transplantations were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess patient and graft survival. A Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for graft failure and patient death.ResultsA total of 229 kidney transplantation patients were included. Graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years were 93.2%, 82.9%, and 61.2% respectively. Patient survival at 1, 5, and 10 years were 94.6%, 86.9%, and 68.8%, respectively. According to the Cox multivariate analysis, ABO incompatibility (hazard ratio [HR] 3.91, p < 0.002), DGF (HR 3.544, p < 0.004), CMV infection (HR 2.244, p < 0.011), and HBV infection (HR 6.349, p < 0.015) were independent risk factors for graft survival. Recipient age (HR 1.128, p < 0.024), ABO incompatibility (HR 3.014, p < 0.025), CMV infection (HR 2.532, p < 0.010), and the number of HLA mismatches (HR 1.425, p < 0.007) were independent risk factors for patient death.ConclusionKidney transplantation in the geriatric population showed good clinical outcomes. ABO incompatibility, DGF, CMV infection, and HBV infection were risk factors for graft failure and the recipient age, ABO incompatibility, CMV infection, and the number of HLA mismatches were risk factors for patient death in geriatric renal transplantation.     

Recipient-Related Risk Factors for Graft Failure and Death in Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background

Elderly patients with end-stage renal disease have become the fastest growing population of kidney transplant candidates in recent years. However, the risk factors associated with long-term outcomes in these patients remain unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 166 recipients aged 60 years or older who underwent primary deceased kidney transplantation between 2002 and 2013 in our center. The main outcomes included 1-, 3- and 5-year patient survival as well as overall and death-censored graft survival. The independent risk factors affecting graft and patient survival were analyzed using Cox regression analysis.

Results

The 1-, 3-, 5-year death-censored graft survival rates were 93.6%, 89.4% and 83.6%, respectively. Based on the Cox multivariate analysis, panel reactive antibody (PRA)>5% [hazard ratio (HR) 4.295, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.321–13.97], delayed graft function (HR 4.744, 95% CI 1.611–13.973) and acute rejection (HR 4.971, 95% CI 1.516–16.301) were independent risk factors for graft failure. The 1-, 3-, 5-year patient survival rates were 84.8%, 82.1% and 77.1%, respectively. Longer dialysis time (HR 1.011 for 1-month increase, 95% CI 1.002–1.020), graft loss (HR 3.501, 95% CI 1.559–7.865) and low-dose ganciclovir prophylaxis (1.5 g/d for 3 months) (HR 3.173, 95% CI 1.063–9.473) were risk factors associated with patient death.

Conclusions

The five-year results show an excellent graft and patient survival in elderly kidney transplant recipients aged ≥60 years. PRA>5%, delayed graft function, and acute rejection are risk factors for graft failure, while longer duration of dialysis, graft loss and low-dose ganciclovir prophylaxis are risk factors for mortality in elderly recipients. These factors represent potential targets for interventions aimed at improving graft and patient survival in elderly recipients.     

Prediction of Growth: A Hierarchical Bayesian Approach

A nonparametric hierarchical growth curve model is proposed. Different levels in the model hierarchy are intended to correspond to different sources of variation in an individual's growth. The nonparametric character of the model offers considerable flexibility in fitting the growth curves to empirical data. Here the emphasis is on prediction, and for this purpose the adopted Bayesian inferential approach seems particularly natural and efficient. A Markov chain Carlo method is used to perform the numerical computations. As an illustration of the techniques, we consider the growth of children, during their first two years.     

Low Levels of Blood Lipids Are Associated with Etiology and Lethal Outcome in Acute Liver Failure

Background/Aims

Emerging data links different aspects of lipid metabolism to liver regeneration. In patients with acute liver failure (ALF), low levels of lipids may correlate with disease severity. Thus, we determined whether there is an etiology-specific link between lipid levels in patients suffering from ALF and aimed to investigate an effect of lipid levels on the prognosis of ALF.

Methods

In this retrospective single center study, we reviewed 89 consecutive ALF patients, who met the criteria of the “Acute Liver Failure Study Group”. Patient characteristics, clinical data and laboratory parameters were individually analyzed at admission and correlated with the patients'' outcome after a four week follow up. Possible endpoints were either discharge, or death or liver transplantation.

Results

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in patients who died or required a liver transplant. HDL levels were significantly higher in patients with ALF caused by acetaminophen intoxication, compared to fulminant HBV infection or drug induced liver injury. HDL levels correlated with hepatic injury by ALT levels, and Albumin, and inversely correlated with the MELD score, INR, and bilirubin.

Conclusion

In our cohort of patients with ALF, we could show that HDL and cholesterol are suppressed. In addition novel etiology specific patterns between acteminophen and non-acteminophen induced liver failure were detected for serum lipid components. Further studies are needed to address the role of cholesterol and lipid metabolism and the according pathways in different etiologies of ALF.     

The Mortality Associated with Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Ethiopia: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

Background

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a debilitating multisystem disorder which complicates leprosy. It is characterised by fever, malaise and painful erythematous cutaneous nodules. ENL is often recurrent or chronic in nature and frequently severe. Patients often require prolonged treatment with high doses of oral corticosteroids. There are no data on the mortality associated with treated ENL.

Methodology

The notes of patients who were admitted, discharged, transferred to another facility or died with a diagnosis of leprosy or a leprosy-related complication for a five year period were reviewed.

Result/Discussion

414 individuals were identified from the ward database. 312 (75.4%) patient records were located and reviewed. Ninety-nine individuals had ENL and 145 had a Type 1 reaction. The median age of individuals with ENLwas 25 years. Eight patients with erythema nodosum leprosum died compared with two diagnosed with Type 1 reaction. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.0168, Fisher''s Exact Test). There is a significant mortality and morbidity associated with ENL in this Ethiopian cohort. The adverse outcomes seen are largely attributable to the chronic administration of oral corticosteroids used to control the inflammatory and debilitating symptoms of the condition.     

Factors Associated with Low-Level Viraemia and Virological Failure: Results from the Austrian HIV Cohort Study

Background

In human immunodeficiency virus treatment adequate virological suppression is warranted, nevertheless for some patients it remains a challenge. We investigated factors associated with low-level viraemia (LLV) and virological failure (VF) under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Materials and Methods

We analysed patients receiving standard regimens between 1^st July 2012 and 1^st July 2013 with at least one viral load (VL) measurement below the quantification limit (BLQ) in their treatment history. After a minimum of 6 months of unmodified cART, the next single VL measurement within 6 months was analysed. VF was defined as HIV RNA levels ≥200 copies/mL and all other quantifiable measurements were classified as LLV. Factors associated with LLV and VF compared to BLQ were identified by logistic regression models.

Results

Of 2276 participants, 1972 (86.6%) were BLQ, 222 (9.8%) showed LLV and 82 (3.6%) had VF. A higher risk for LLV and VF was shown in patients with cART interruptions and in patients with boosted PI therapy. The risk for LLV and VF was lower in patients from centres using the Abbott compared to the Roche assay to measure VL. A higher risk for LLV but not for VF was found in patients with a higher VL before cART [for >99.999 copies/mL: aOR (95% CI): 4.19 (2.07–8.49); for 10.000–99.999 copies/mL: aOR (95% CI): 2.52 (1.23–5.19)] and shorter cART duration [for <9 months: aOR (95% CI): 2.59 (1.38–4.86)]. A higher risk for VF but not for LLV was found in younger patients [for <30 years: aOR (95% CI): 2.76 (1.03–7.35); for 30–50 years: aOR (95% CI): 2.70 (1.26–5.79)], people originating from high prevalence countries [aOR (95% CI): 2.20 (1.09–4.42)] and in male injecting drug users [aOR (95% CI): 2.72 (1.38–5.34)].

Conclusions

For both VF and LLV, factors associated with adherence play a prominent role. Furthermore, performance characteristics of the diagnostic assay used for VL quantification should also be taken into consideration.     

Use of Renal Replacement Therapy May Influence Graft Outcomes following Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure: A Propensity-Score Matched Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Acute kidney injury is associated with a poor prognosis in acute liver failure but little is known of outcomes in patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure who require renal replacement therapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the United Kingdom Transplant Registry was performed (1 January 2001–31 December 2011) with patient and graft survival determined using Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional hazards models were used together with propensity-score based full matching on renal replacement therapy use.

Results

Three-year patient and graft survival for patients receiving renal replacement therapy were 77.7% and 72.6% compared with 85.1% and 79.4% for those not requiring renal replacement therapy (P<0.001 and P = 0.009 respectively, n = 725). In a Cox proportional hazards model, renal replacement therapy was a predictor of both patient death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.59, 95% CI 1.01–2.50, P = 0.044) but not graft loss (HR 1.39, 95% CI 0.92–2.10, P = 0.114). In groups fully matched on baseline covariates, those not receiving renal replacement therapy with a serum creatinine greater than 175μmol/L had a significantly worse risk of graft failure than those receiving renal replacement therapy.

Conclusion

In patients being transplanted for acute liver failure, use of renal replacement therapy is a strong predictor of patient death and graft loss. Those not receiving renal replacement therapy with an elevated serum creatinine may be at greater risk of early graft failure than those receiving renal replacement therapy. A low threshold for instituting renal replacement therapy may therefore be beneficial.     

Factors Associated with Increased Mortality in a Predominantly HIV-Infected Population with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Introduction

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening drug reactions with a higher incidence in HIV-infected persons. SJS/TEN are associated with skin and mucosal failure, predisposing to systemic bacterial infection (BSI), a major cause of death. There are limited data on risk factors associated with BSI and and mortality in HIV-infected people with SJS/TEN.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to a university hospital with SJS/TEN over a 3 year period. We evaluated their underlying illnesses, eliciting drugs, predictive value of bacterial skin cultures and other factors associated with mortality and BSI in a predominantly HIV-infected population by comparing characteristics of the patients who demised and those who survived.

Results

We admitted 86 cases during the study period and 67/86(78%) were HIV-infected. Tuberculosis was the commonest co-morbidity, diagnosed in 12/86(14%) cases. Skin cultures correlated with BSI by the same organism in 7/64(11%) cases and 6/7 were Gram-negative. Two of the 8 cases of Gram-negative BSI had an associated Gram-negative skin culture, although not always the same organism. All 8 fatalities had >30% epidermal detachment, 7 were HIV-infected, 6 died of BSI and 6 had tuberculosis.

Conclusions

Having >30% epidermal detachment in SJS/TEN carries an increased risk of BSI and mortality. Tuberculosis and BSI are associated with higher risk of death in SJS/TEN. Our data suggests there may be an association between Gram-negative BSI and Gram-negative skin infection.     

药物性肝衰竭临床特点及预后有关因素分析

目的：探讨药物性肝衰竭的病因、临床特征及预后相关因素,提高对药物性肝衰竭的认识,减少不良事件发生的几率。方法：对2007年1月至2011年12月我院56例药物性肝衰竭患者进行回顾性分析,对患者用药情况、临床表现、肝衰竭的分型、并发症的发生、生化指标的特点及治疗与预后进行相关性分析。结果：导致肝衰竭前三位的药物分别是中药占30.3%、抗结核药占26.8%和非甾体类抗炎药占23.2%。发病时常见的临床表现为乏力64.2%、纳差60.7%、尿黄60.7%。并发症发生率最高的是感染73.2%、其次为肝性脑病66.1%、腹水64.3%。感染部位以腹腔最常见,占46.4%,其次为肺部41%。治愈好转者为18例（26.2%）,治疗无效者14例（25.0%）;死亡者为24例（42.9%）。从患者发病到死亡的中位时间为35天。治愈好转组的肝性脑病和消化道出血的发生率明显低于无效死亡组,激素治疗与好的预后密切相关（P〈0.05）。结论：药物性肝衰竭的主要致病药物有中药、抗结核药和解热镇痛药。患者的临床表现无明显特异性,肝性脑病和消化道出血一旦出现提示预后差。在疾病早期采用适当的激素治疗,可以明显改善肝衰竭患者的预后。     

Combining Serum Cystatin C with Total Bilirubin Improves Short-Term Mortality Prediction in Patients with HBV-Related Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure

Background & Aims

HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a severe liver disease which results in a high mortality in China. To early predict the prognosis of the patients may prevent the complications and improve the survival. This study was aimed to develop a new prognostic index to estimate the survival related to HBV-ACLF.

Methods

Consecutive patients with HBV-ACLF were included in a prospective observational study. Serum Cystatin C concentrations were measured by using the particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay. All of the patients were followed for at least 3 months. Cox regression analysis was carried out to identify which factors were predictive of mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the variates for early predicting mortality.

Results

Seventy-two patients with HBV-ACLF were recruited between January 2012 and January 2013. Thirty patients died (41.7%) during 3-months followed up. Cox multivariate regression analysis identified serum cystatin C (CysC) and total bilirubin (TBil) were independent factors significantly (P < 0.01) associated with survival. Our results further showed that new prognostic index (PI) combining serum CysC with TBil was a good indicator for predicting the mortality of patients with HBV-ACLF. Specifically, the PI had a higher accuracy than the CTP, MELD, or MELD-Na scoring for early prediction short-term survival of HBV-ACLF patients with normal levels of serum creatinine (Cr). The survival rate in low risk group (PI < 3.91) was 94.3%, which was markedly higher than those in the high-risk group (PI ≥ 3.91) (17.4%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We developed a new prognostic index combining serum CysC with TBil which early predicted the short-term mortality of HBV-ACLF patients.     

New Therapeutic Approach: Diphenyl Diselenide Reduces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure

The acute liver failure (ALF) induced by acetaminophen (APAP) is closely related to oxidative damage and depletion of hepatic glutathione, consequently changes in cell energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction have been observed after APAP overdose. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)₂], a simple organoselenium compound with antioxidant properties, previously demonstrated to confer hepatoprotection. However, little is known about the protective mechanism on mitochondria. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects (PhSe)₂ to reduce mitochondrial dysfunction and, secondly, compare in the liver homogenate the hepatoprotective effects of the (PhSe)₂ to the N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during APAP-induced ALF to validate our model. Mice were injected intraperitoneal with APAP (600 mg/kg), (PhSe)₂ (15.6 mg/kg), NAC (1200 mg/kg), APAP+(PhSe)₂ or APAP+NAC, where the (PhSe)₂ or NAC treatment were given 1 h following APAP. The liver was collected 4 h after overdose. The plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities increased after APAP administration. APAP caused a remarkable increase of oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation, reactive species and protein carbonylation) and decrease of the antioxidant defense in the liver homogenate and mitochondria. APAP caused a marked loss in the mitochondrial membrane potential, the mitochondrial ATPase activity, and the rate of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and increased the mitochondrial swelling. All these effects were significantly prevented by (PhSe)₂. The effectiveness of (PhSe)₂ was similar at a lower dose than NAC. In summary, (PhSe)₂ provided a significant improvement to the mitochondrial redox homeostasis and the mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction caused by membrane permeability transition in the hepatotoxicity APAP-induced.     

Risk of Primary Liver Cancer Associated with Gallstones and Cholecystectomy: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Recent epidemiological evidence points to an association between gallstones or cholecystectomy and the incidence risk of liver cancer, but the results are inconsistent. We present a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore this association.

Methods

We identified studies by a literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and relevant conference proceedings up to March 2014. A random-effects model was used to generate pooled multivariable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q statistic and the I².

Results

Fifteen studies (five case-control and 10 cohort studies) were included in this analysis. There were 4,487,662 subjects in total, 17,945 diagnoses of liver cancer, 328,420 exposed to gallstones, and 884,507 exposed to cholecystectomy. Pooled results indicated a significant increased risk of liver cancer in patients with a history of gallstones (OR = 2.54; 95% CI, 1.71–3.79; n = 11 studies), as well as cholecystectomy (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.29–2.02; n = 12 studies), but there was considerable heterogeneity among these studies. The effects estimates did not vary markedly when stratified by gender, study design, study region, and study quality. The multivariate meta-regression analysis suggested that study region and study quality appeared to explain the heterogeneity observed in the cholecystectomy analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that individuals with a history of gallstones and cholecystectomy may have an increased risk of liver cancer.     

肝移植术后急性肾功能衰竭的相关因素的临床分析

目的：探讨肝移植术后并发急性肾功能衰竭（ARF）的相关因素,为肝移植术后ARF的预防和治疗提供参考。方法：回顾性分析了2005年1月-2010年10月在我院行肝移植术的98例患者的临床资料,对术后并发ARF的相关因素进行分析。结果：98例行肝移植术后发生ARF13例,发生率为13．27％。单因素分析显示术前血尿素氮CBUN）、术前血清肌酐（Scr）、术前血清白蛋白（Alb）、手术时间、失血量与ARF的发生有关（P〈0．05）。多因素Logistic回归法分析表明,术前Ser和BUN是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。结论：术前血BUN、血清Scr、血清Alb、手术时间和失血量是肝移植术后并发ARF主要因素,而术前Scr和BUN水平升高是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。对上述因素加以重点评估和合理控制,可以控制肝移植术后ARF的发生。