Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Treating Sickle Cell Anemia Complications

Cochrane; 2017 Jul 31; Marti-Carvajal, et al

Publish date:: August 31, 2017

A recent Cochrane review on intrahepatic cholestasis in sickle cell anemia was unable to find a single clinical trial that would shed light on how to manage the complication. Details of the analysis include the following:

Sickle cell anemia is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the world.
About 70% of sickle cell anemia patients reside in Africa.
Neither published nor unpublished randomized clinical trials were available to offer clinicians guidance on how to treat intrahepatic cholestasis.
Researchers emphasized the need to conduct RCTs to establish the best approach to the disorder.

Citation:

Martí-Carvajal AJ, Martí-Amarista C. Interventions for treating intrahepatic cholestasis in people with sickle cell disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD010985. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010985.pub3.

This Week's Must Reads

Younger adults present with more advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma,

PDAC: Tumor reduction after neoadjuvant therapy may predict postsurgical survival,

Endoscopic intragastric balloon improved NASH parameters,

Autologous fecal microbiota transplantation helped maintain weight loss after ‘green’ Mediterranean diet,

Cryoballoon, cryospray found equivalent for eradicating Barret’s esophagus,

Must Reads in Liver Disease

Endoscopic intragastric balloon improved NASH parameters,

Lusutrombopag found safe, effective for severe thrombocytopenia in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,

Bariatric surgery achieved long-term resolution of NASH without worsening fibrosis,

Anti-CD8a, anti-IL-17A antibodies improved immune disruption in mice with history of NASH,

Studies eyes risks for poor outcomes in primary sclerosing cholangitis,