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Since April 2022, waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases have surfaced in Taiwan and spread throughout the island. Using high-throughput sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, we analyzed 2,405 PCR-positive swab samples from 2,339 persons and identified the Omicron BA.2.3.7 variant as a major lineage within recent community outbreaks in Taiwan.

Correspondence to Prof. Mindie H Nguyen, Stanford University Medical Center; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA; mindiehn@stanford.edu ; Prof. Fanpu Ji, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; jifanpu1979@163.com We read with interest the article by Dufour et al.1 The authors were to be commended for their comprehensive review on the presentations, pathophysiology and prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease. Notably, the authors included data from multicentre and nationwide cohort studies to suggest decompensated cirrhosis as an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 and death.1–6 However, while excess death from COVID-19 among patients with cirrhosis is important, the non-COVID-19-related excess death is integral in considering the degree of care disruption and delayed presentation, especially for those before 65 years of age. [...]using the CDC WONDER website of the US National Vital Statistic System, which includes over 99% of deaths annually, we evaluated the percentage of excess years of potential life loss (YPLL) among individuals with cirrhosis during the pandemic and how much of these excess YPLL were directly versus indirectly related to COVID-19. ALD, alcohol-associated liver disease; HBV, hepatitis B virus infection; HCV, hepatitis C virus infection; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; YPLL, years of potential life lost. [...]returning to normal’ of healthcare access and reception should be the goal for all stakeholders.

[...]we were limited to the use of ICD-10 codes in defining AMI-related mortality may lead to misclassification bias. [...]As the data of CDC Wonder dataset are derived from the registry of death certificates, it only provides the information related to acute myocardial infarction. [...]we are unable to provide information regarding morbidity. [...]we did not use statistical methods to compare disparity of ASMRs in AMI-related mortality across racial/ethnic groups.

Both cirrhosis and acute respiratory illness (ARI) carry substantial disease and financial burden. To compare hospitalized patients with cirrhosis with ARI to cirrhotic patients without ARI, a retrospective cohort study was conducted using the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. To balance the groups, propensity score matching (PSM) was used. We identified a total of 46,192 cirrhotic patients during the three study periods (14,049, 15,699, and 16,444 patients, respectively). Among patients hospitalized with cirrhosis, the ARI prevalence was higher in older age groups (p < 0.001), the Asian population (p = 0.002), non-Hispanic population (p = 0.001), and among Medicare patients (p < 0.001). Compared to controls, patients with ARI had 53.8% higher adjusted hospital charge ($122,555 vs. $79,685 per patient per admission, p  < 0.001) and 35.0% higher adjusted in-hospital mortality ( p  < 0.001). Older patients, patients with alcoholic liver disease or liver cancer were at particularly higher risk (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.94 (95% CI: 2.26–3.83), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.02–1.45), and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.76–2.68) respectively, p  = 0.028 to <0.001). Mortality rates and hospital charges in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with ARI were higher than in cirrhotic controls without ARI. Preventive efforts such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, especially in older patients and those with liver cancer, or alcoholic liver disease, would be of value.

Background/Aims: Due to increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has also been increasing. Current forecast models may not include non-obese NAFLD. Here, we used the Bayesian approach to forecast the prevalence of NAFLD through the year 2040.Methods: Prevalence data from 245 articles involving 2,699,627 persons were used with a hierarchical Bayesian approach to forecast the prevalence of NAFLD through 2040. Subgroup analyses were performed for age, gender, presence of metabolic syndrome, region, and smoking status. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for clinical setting and study quality.Results: The forecasted 2040 prevalence was 55.7%, a three-fold increase since 1990 and a 43.2% increase from the 2020 prevalence of 38.9%. The estimated average yearly increase since 2020 was 2.16%. For those aged <50 years and ≥50 years, the 2040 prevalence were not significantly different (56.7% vs. 61.5%, P=0.52). There was a significant difference in 2040 prevalence by sex (males: 60% vs. 50%) but the trend was steeper for females (annual percentage change: 2.5% vs. 1.5%, P=0.025). There was no difference in trends overtime by region (P=0.48). The increase rate was significantly higher in those without metabolic syndrome (3.8% vs. 0.84%, P=0.003) and smokers (1.4% vs. 1.1%, P=0.011). There was no difference by clinical/community setting (P=0.491) or study quality (P=0.85).Conclusion: By 2040, over half the adult population is forecasted to have NAFLD. The largest increases are expected to occur in women, smokers, and those without metabolic syndrome. Intensified efforts are needed to raise awareness of NAFLD and to determine long-term solutions addressing the driving factors of the disease.

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common and is associated with rising morbidity and mortality in the UK. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.AimsTo determine the association between baseline cardiovascular risk factors with fatty liver index, and to investigate the association between fatty liver index and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the UK.MethodsThis study is a population-based retrospective cohort study using the UK Biobank database.ResultsThe mean fatty liver index in the study cohort was 44.9, and 33.7% met the criteria for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Fatty liver index was significantly associated with a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. During a mean follow-up of 7.86 years, the combined incidence of cardiovascular disease was 6.92 per 1000-person years at risk. We found significant association between fatty liver index and incident cardiovascular disease in the fully adjusted model. We found significant association between fatty liver index and incident cardiovascular disease in subgroups stratified by BMI as well as subgroups with fatty liver index < 30, < 60, and ≥ 60.ConclusionsFatty liver index not only predicts NAFLD diagnosis, but also indicates baseline and future development of cardiovascular disease on long-term follow-up across weight categories and fatty liver index spectrum. These findings can inform clinicians and other stakeholders on cardiovascular disease management and preventive efforts. Patients with high fatty liver index should be counseled on the increased future risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Background Malaysia has been experiencing an escalation in dengue cases since the past 5 years. As the dengue vaccine pipeline continues to develop steadily with strong public interests, this study had been sought to elicit the acceptance and the willingness to pay (WTP) for hypothetical dengue vaccine in Malaysia. Methods This study adopted the cross-sectional, contingent valuation study that involved 400 respondents in Penang, Malaysia. The double-bounded dichotomous choice via bidding game approach was employed to elicit the WTP value for two hypothetical 3-doses dengue vaccines (Vaccines A and B with 5- and 10-years’ protection, respectively against dengue). A univariate logistic regression model was employed to assess the key determinants of vaccine acceptance, while the mean WTP value and its associated factors were measured by using the parametric two-part model (TPM). Results Dengue vaccine appeared to be highly acceptable (88.4%) among the population in Penang, Malaysia. Respondents who were of Chinese ethnicity (OR 0.36, p  = 0.017), with higher dengue knowledge score (OR 1.43, p  = 0.016), and higher vaccination attitude score (OR 1.91, p  < 0.001) were more likely to accept the vaccine. The first step logit estimation from TPM displayed that pensioners (OR 2.37, p  = 0.036), respondents who were self-employed or working in the private sector (OR 1.21, p  = 0.002), respondents with higher education level (OR 2.09–3.29, p  < 0.05), and those who accepted the vaccine (OR 3.23, p  = 0.001) were more likely to pay for the vaccine. The adjusted mean WTP value for the vaccine was MYR39.21 (USD9.45) per dose. Next, the second-stage regression from TPM revealed the key factors that significantly affected the WTP value, which were composed of age, gender, occupation, household income, dengue prevention practice, and protection duration of the vaccine. The pensioners and those with better dengue prevention practice were willing to pay more for the vaccines. Additionally, all the respondents elicited a higher WTP amount toward the vaccine with longer protection duration (Vaccine B). Conclusion Strong acceptance toward dengue vaccine reflects the high value of the vaccine in Malaysia. The WTP estimates offer quantification of the private benefit in reducing occurrences of the disease. Besides, the people’s preferences-based WTP value for the vaccine tends to complement scientific decision-making and prioritization in the management of dengue in the country.

ObjectiveThe European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1 hour algorithm has been primarily validated in Europe, America and Australasia with less knowledge of its performance outside of these settings. We aim to evaluate the performance of the ESC 0/1 hour algorithm across different contexts.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2019. The primary outcome was index myocardial infarction and the secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac event or mortality. A bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive the pooled estimate of each outcome.ResultsA total of 11 014 patients from 10 cohorts were analysed for the primary outcome. The algorithm based on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)T (Roche), hs-cTnI (Abbott) and hs-cTnI (Siemens) had pooled sensitivity of 98.4% (95% CI=95.1% to 99.5%), 98.1% (95% CI=94.6% to 99.3%) and 98.7% (95% CI=97.3% to 99.3%), respectively. The algorithm based on hs-cTnT (Roche) and hs-cTnI (Siemens) had pooled specificity of 91.2% (95% CI=86.0% to 94.6%) and 95.9% (95% CI=94.1% to 97.2%), respectively. Among patients in the rule-out category, the pooled mortality rate at 30 days and at 1 year was 0.1% (95% CI=0.0% to 0.4%) and 0.8% (95% CI=0.5% to 1.2%), respectively. Among patients in the observation zone, the pooled mortality rate was 0.7% (95% CI=0.3% to 1.2%) at 30 days but increased to 8.1% (95% CI=6.1% to 10.4%) at 1 year, comparable to the mortality rate in the rule-in group.ConclusionThe ESC 0/1 hour algorithm has high diagnostic accuracy but may not be sufficiently safe if the 1% miss-rate for myocardial infarction is desired.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019142280.

Background and AimsLiver cirrhosis is a substantial health burden in the USA, but population-based data regarding the trend and medical expenditure are limited and outdated. We investigated the trends of inpatient admissions, costs, and inpatient mortality from 2005 to 2015 among cirrhotic patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Inpatient Sample database. We adjusted the costs to 2015 US dollars using a 3% inflation rate. National estimates of admissions were determined using discharge weights.ResultsWe identified 1,627,348 admissions in cirrhotic patients between 2005 and 2015. From 2005 to 2015, the number of weighted admissions in cirrhotic patients almost doubled (from 505,032 to 961,650) and the total annual hospitalization cost in this population increased three times (from 5.8 to 16.3 billion US dollars). Notably, admission rates varied by liver disease etiology, decreasing from 2005 to 2015 among patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis while increasing (almost tripled) among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related cirrhosis. The annual inpatient mortality rate per 1000 admissions overall decreased from 63.8 to 58.2 between 2005 and 2015 except for NAFLD (27.2 to 35.8) (P < 0.001).ConclusionsRates and costs of admissions in cirrhotic patients have increased substantially between 2005 and 2015 in the USA, but varied by liver disease etiology, with decreasing rate for HCV-associated cirrhosis and for HBV-associated cirrhosis but increasing for NAFLD-associated cirrhosis. Inpatient mortality also increased by one-third for NAFLD, while it decreased for other diseases. Cost also varied by etiology and lower for HCV-associated cirrhosis.