BACKGROUND Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome reframes cardio-renal-metabolic risk but omits hepatic dysfunction, particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study assesses whether integrating MAFLD into the CKM framework improves mortality risk discrimination compared with the original CKM framework. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used data of 10 335 adults aged 20 to 74 years from the… Continue reading Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease-Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (MAFLD-CKM): A Modified Framework to Predict Long-Term Mortality
Category: Hepatology
Effectiveness and safety of three years of bulevirtide monotherapy in patients with HDV-related compensated cirrhosis: the Italian compassionate use program
Background: Bulevirtide (BLV) monotherapy for up to 144 weeks was safe and effective in patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) in a phase III trial, but long-term real-world data are limited. We evaluated its effectiveness and safety in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis in clinical practice.Methods: Consecutive patients with HDV-related cirrhosis treated with BLV 2 mg/day… Continue reading Effectiveness and safety of three years of bulevirtide monotherapy in patients with HDV-related compensated cirrhosis: the Italian compassionate use program
When Speech Signals Wilson Disease: A Case Report
Wilson disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism that usually presents with a wide spectrum of seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as dysarthria, tremors, dystonia, features of advanced liver disease, and psychiatric manifestations. Atypical presentation may lead to delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a 25-year-old man who presented with slurred… Continue reading When Speech Signals Wilson Disease: A Case Report
Multi-target blood test for hepatocellular carcinoma early detection: a cross-sectional analysis of the prospective ALTUS study
Background & aims: Globally, 350 million people are at risk for HCC. Ultrasound screening is recommended but is limited by poor early-stage sensitivity and low adherence. This study evaluated whether the multi-target HCC blood test (mt-HBT) demonstrates non-inferior sensitivity for early-stage HCC compared with ultrasound and assessed its specificity.Methods: This prospective, multicenter study, conducted between… Continue reading Multi-target blood test for hepatocellular carcinoma early detection: a cross-sectional analysis of the prospective ALTUS study
Risk Assessment in MASLD and MetALD: Current Approaches and Future Directions
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) exist on a continuous spectrum in which fibrosis stage remains the dominant predictor of liver‑related complications. Contemporary non‑invasive risk stratification uses simple serum scores (e.g., Fibrosis‑4 index [FIB‑4]) as a first step, followed by vibration‑controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or liver‑specific blood… Continue reading Risk Assessment in MASLD and MetALD: Current Approaches and Future Directions
A new role of class A HBV capsid assembly modulators in core protein dynamics and cccDNA replenishment
Background & aims: Current treatments of chronic hepatitis B are rarely curative. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) target capsid formation by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein. Class A CAMs (CAM-A) induce abnormal core protein assembly but how they affect core protein dynamics and inhibit HBV replication is only partially understood.Methods: Human liver chimeric mice… Continue reading A new role of class A HBV capsid assembly modulators in core protein dynamics and cccDNA replenishment
Encapsulated faecal microbiota transfer to target immune activation in patients with cirrhosis and ascites (TransImmune): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, Phase IIa, placebo-controlled trial
Introduction: Bacterial translocation and gut dysbiosis are key drivers of systemic immune activation in decompensated cirrhosis, precipitating inflammatory complications such as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Currently, no licensed therapies effectively restore intestinal barrier function or reverse dysbiosis in this vulnerable population. While previous studies have suggested benefits of faecal microbiota transfer (FMT) in hepatic encephalopathy… Continue reading Encapsulated faecal microbiota transfer to target immune activation in patients with cirrhosis and ascites (TransImmune): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, Phase IIa, placebo-controlled trial
Hyponatremia as a Prognostic Marker in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review of Its Role Beyond the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease in Predicting Mortality
This systematic review evaluates the prognostic significance of hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis across diverse clinical settings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a… Continue reading Hyponatremia as a Prognostic Marker in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review of Its Role Beyond the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease in Predicting Mortality
Correlation of Serum-ascites Albumin Gradient with Occurrence and Severity of Esophageal Varices in Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease: An Observational Study
Background and aims: Esophageal varices (EV) are a major complication of portal hypertension in decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD), but endoscopy is invasive and resource-limited. This study assessed serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) as a noninvasive predictor of EV occurrence and severity.Patients and methods: Prospective cross-sectional study (January 2023-May 2024) of 76 adults (≥18 years) with… Continue reading Correlation of Serum-ascites Albumin Gradient with Occurrence and Severity of Esophageal Varices in Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease: An Observational Study
