Showing papers by "Stuart McPherson published in 2016"

Response to the NCEPOD report: development of a care bundle for patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis—the first 24 h

Abstract: Recently, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of chronic liver disease in the UK, and as a result, hospital admissions and deaths due to liver disease have also increased. The 2013 National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) of patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) found that less than half the number of patients who died from ARLD received ‘good care’, and avoidable deaths were identified. In order to improve the care of patients admitted with ARLD, the NCEPOD report recommended that a ‘toolkit’ for the acute management of patients admitted with decompensated ARLD be developed and made widely available. As a result, we have developed a ‘care bundle’ for patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis (of all aetiologies) to ensure that effective evidence-based treatments are delivered within the first 24 h. This care bundle provides a checklist to ensure that all appropriate investigations are undertaken when a patient with decompensated cirrhosis presents and provides clinicians with clear guidance on the initial management of alcohol withdrawal, infection, acute kidney injury, gastrointestinal bleeding and encephalopathy. The first 24 h are particularly important, as early intervention can reduce mortality and shorten hospital stay, and specialist gastroenterology/liver advice is not always available during this period. This review will discuss the care bundle and the evidence base behind the treatment recommendations made.

Decompensated alcohol related liver disease: acute management.

Abstract: #### What you need to know Alcohol related liver disease (ARLD) and liver cirrhosis are complications of long term excessive alcohol use and occur in 10-20% of chronic, heavy drinkers.1 2 Complications, including hepatic decompensation, variceal bleeding, and hepatocellular carcinoma, reduce life expectancy.1 3 Since 1970, there has been a 400% increase in liver related (mainly alcohol related) deaths across all ages in the UK (fig 1⇓).4 5 Liver disease is now the fifth commonest cause of death in the UK. The average age of death from ARLD is 59 years.6 Fig 1 Standardised mortality data for major causes of death in UK, 1970-2010. Reproduced with permission of Nick Sheron In a report of UK hospitals only 47% of patients received “good” hospital care.7 This review provides guidance on the management of patients with decompensated ARLD, focusing on the first 24 hours after hospital admission. Figure 2⇓ provides a summary of the clinical course of ARLD. Decompensation of cirrhosis occurs when liver function deteriorates, and the disease presents with jaundice …

Implementation of a ‘care bundle’ improves the management of patients admitted to hospital with decompensated cirrhosis

Abstract: SummaryBackground Since 1970, there has been a 400% increase in liver-related deaths due to the increasing prevalence of chronic liver disease in the United Kingdom (UK). The 2013 UK National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report found that only 47% of patients who died from alcohol-related liver disease received ‘good care’ during their hospital stay. Aim To develop a ‘care bundle’ for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, aiming to ensure that evidence-based treatments are delivered within the first 24 h of hospital admission. Methods This work gives practical advice about how to implement the bundle and examines its effects on patient care at three National Health Service Hospital Trusts in the UK by collecting data on patient care before and after introduction of the bundle. Results Data were collected on 228 patients across three centres (59% male, median age 53 years). Alcohol-related liver disease was the aetiology of chronic liver disease in 85% of patients. The overall mortality rate during hospital admission was 15%. The audits demonstrated improvements in patient care for patients with a completed care bundle who were significantly more likely to have a diagnostic ascitic performed within the first 24 h (P = 0.020), have an accurate alcohol history documented (P < 0.0001) and be given antibiotics as prophylaxis against infection following a variceal haemorrhage (P = 0.0096). In Newcastle, the bundle completion rate increased from 25% to 90% during the review periods. Conclusions The introduction of a care bundle was associated with increased rates of diagnostic paracentesis and antibiotic prophylaxis with variceal haemorrhage in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Improving testing for hepatitis B before treatment with rituximab

Abstract: Aims/objectives/background Individuals with current or previous infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can experience viral reactivation when treated with immunosuppression. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody used to treat many diseases, has potent immunosuppressant effects with a high risk of causing HBV reactivation. Reactivation can range from elevated liver enzymes to acute severe hepatitis with liver failure and a significant mortality risk. HBV screening and appropriate use of prophylactic antiviral therapy can prevent reactivation. This work describes the introduction of a local policy for HBV testing in patients before rituximab treatment and assesses its impact. Methods and results A baseline review (before policy introduction) of 90 patients showed that only 21 (23%) had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 17 (19%) had hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBcAb) tested before receiving rituximab. Following introduction of the policy (on the basis of international guidelines), improved laboratory reporting protocols and targeted education sessions, two further reviews of HBV testing rates among patients being initiated onto rituximab were performed. There was a marked increase in pre-rituximab testing for HBsAg from 23 to 79% and for anti-HBcAb from 19 to 78%. Throughout the study period, a total of one (0.8%) HBsAg-positive and six (4.7%) anti-HBcAb-positive patients were identified. Conclusions This work clearly indicates that simple strategies can markedly improve appropriate HBV screening. In our cohort, 6% (of whom only 43% had recognized HBV risk factors) required antiviral prophylaxis, which emphasizes the importance of universal screening before rituximab. Reinforcement of the guidelines and ongoing education is needed to further increase testing rates.

PTH-107 Chronic Hepatitis B Management The UK: A National Survey of Current Practice Following Nice Guidance

Abstract: Introduction National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in June 2013 (NICE 165). Where antiviral therapy was indicated, NICE recommended 48 weeks Peg-interferon alfa-2a (PegIFNα) as first-line treatment in compensated disease and early discontinuation of PegIFNα based on stopping rules. Nucleos(t)ide analogues were recommended as second-line therapies. This survey was undertaken to capture current CHB practice management across the UK following NICE 165 and report PegIFNα use, and review the availability/utility of quantitative HBsAg. Methods This was a UK-wide national multicentre study, where 25 CHB treatment centres were invited to complete a qualitative questionnaire of CHB practice. Clinical practice in the 12 months preceding NICE 165 was compared with CHB management in the immediate 12 months post publication. Results All centres participating undertook a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of CHB patients, with 75% of centres adopting joint consultant-nurse led clinics. Interim analysis of the data revealed that 73% of centres consider PegIFNα as first line therapy in eAg+ disease, compared with 40% in eAg- disease. Importantly, there was no difference in the use of PegIFNα, irrespective of eAg status, prior to and following the publication of NICE 165 (p = 0.82). Of those patients treated with PegIFNα as first line-therapy, 63% of them, to date, required second line therapy with NUCs due to treatment failure. Conclusion This UK survey demonstrates that current practice has not significantly changed following NICE 165. While most centres adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, the UK guidance on CHB has not been widely adopted. Barriers to this may include the limited availablilty of qHBsAg in UK centres, but more likely this relates to Physician preference for the continued use of NUCs as first-line therapy of choice. Disclosure of Interest N. Hansi: None Declared, P. Trok, None Declared, U. Gill: None Declared, K. Agarwal: None Declared, M. Aldersley: None Declared, S. Al-Shamma: None Declared, A. Brown: None Declared, J. Cobbold: None Declared, P. Collins: None Declared, A. Fowell: None Declared, W. Gelson: None Declared, A. Holt: None Declared, S. McPherson: None Declared, M. Phillips: None Declared, M. Prince: None Declared, P. Richardson: None Declared, S. Ryder: None Declared, S. Singhal: None Declared, B. Stone: None Declared, A. Ustianowski: None Declared, J. Vilar: None Declared, L. Walker: None Declared, T. Wong: None Declared, P. Kennedy Grant/research support from: Gilead Sciences