Abstract
Context:
The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy in hepatitis B-related liver failure.Evidence Acquisition:
A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and Google Scholar. The primary outcome was improvement in the mortality rate and the secondary outcome was the incidence of complications. Pooled data were based on the fixed-effect model.Results:
Ten studies with 891 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy (OR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.80 - 5.66; P = 0.000) was superior to conventional treatment alone and reduced the mortality rate (OR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.20, 0.74], P = 0.004). Moreover, the incidence of complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.19, 0.60], P = 0.000), hepatorenal syndrome (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.10, 0.47], P = 0.000), electrolyte imbalance (OR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.12, 0.62], P = 0.002), and ascites (OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.28, 0.90], P = 0.021), were reduced. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of lung infection (OR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.27, 2.10], P = 0.595), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 1.00], P = 0.050), and bacterial peritonitis (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.31, 1.58], P = 0.396).Conclusions:
Our meta-analysis suggests that glucocorticoid plus conventional treatment reduced the incidence of complications. Thus combination therapy could be an effective and safe approach in treating patients with hepatitis B-related liver failure.Keywords
Glucocorticoids Liver Failure Hepatitis B Virus Meta-Analysis
1. Context
Liver failure is a life-threatening disease characterized by the presentation of jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), ascites, and disturbed blood clotting mechanism, i.e., prothrombin time activity (PTA) below 40% (1). In Europe and the United States, drug and alcohol are the main causes of liver failure; however, the primary cause of liver failure is the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in China (2). HBV-related liver failure has been a severe clinical syndrome, causing high morbidity and mortality rates in China (3-5). Indeed, conventional approaches, as well as liver transplantation and artificial liver support devices with supportive medicine, cannot produce satisfactory outcomes (6). Although in certain cases, the interferon and nucleoside analogues prevent the progression of the disease to hepatic failure (7). Therefore, we need to explore the mechanism of HBV-related hepatic failure and find potentially more effective therapies to solve the problems.
Evidence shows that HBV mainly causes liver injury by the induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated cytolytic pathways in HBV infected hepatocytes (8, 9). The special effect of corticosteroids to inhibit immune responses and prevent cytolysis in infected hepatocytes is a reasonable strategy, supporting glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy (10, 11). Several studies suggested that corticosteroid combination therapy could reduce the mortality rate (12-18). However, some published reports have questioned the promising results of corticosteroids (19). The adverse effects of corticosteroids (infection, hyperglycemia, psychosis, peptic ulceration, and poor bone healing) and risk factors associated with HBV reactivation is well-documented (20-22).
The Chinese guidelines for the treatment of liver failure recommend that liver failure can be treated with glucocorticoids in autoimmune liver diseases induced liver failure, or at an early stage of liver failure caused by non-viral infectious etiologies when the disease develops rapidly without serious complications (1). On the other hand, the guidelines of the Asian-Pacific Association (2), the American Association (23) or the European Association (24) for the study of the liver have not recommended glucocorticoids plus conventional therapy. Accordingly, it seems reasonable to assume that the management of liver failure with glucocorticoids plus conventional therapy varies with geographic locations.
2. Objectives
We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids plus conventional therapy in Chinese patients with HBV-related liver failure and to outline the evidence for clinical decision-making.
3. Data Sources
3.1. Search Strategy
We searched several national and international databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and Google Scholar until April 2017. The search strategy was restricted to Chinese/English language papers. The electronic search strategy was generated using the following terms, “liver failure”, “Hepatitis B”, “glucocorticoid”, “hydrocortisone”, “dexamethasone”, “prednisone”, “prednisolone”, “methylprednisolone” (Appendix 1). Alternatively, references of the retrieved articles were searched manually.
4. Study Selection
The inclusion criteria in the selection of relevant studies were: (1) systematic reviews restricted to randomized controlled trials; (2) previously diagnosed patients (1, 25) with hepatitis B virus-related liver failure (ALF, SALF, ACLF, and CLF); (3) trails provided records of conventional treatment (supportive treatment, nucleoside analogue treatment, anti-infection treatment, proton pump inhibitors for the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding, with/without artificial liver support); (4) trials involved in using glucocorticoids without contraindications; (5) reported data of efficacy and/or complications of primary therapy. The exclusion criteria were: (1) trials published as case reports, reviews, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and other non-clinical research or in abstract form without raw data; (2) patients with drug-induced hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease or other causes of liver failure; (3) patients co-infected with other hepatitis viruses (hepatitis E, A, D, or C) and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Two investigators (Ran, Luo) independently evaluated the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and any discrepancies between them were resolved by consensus. The study protocol of this meta-analysis was registered (registration no-CRD42019122976) in the “International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews”.
4.1. Primary and Secondary Outcomes
The primary outcome was the rate of improvement and mortality. The rate of improvement was evaluated via changes in clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters of liver function, hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA) levels, and prothrombin activity (PTA). Moreover, the mortality rate in the corresponding studies was measured during the treatment. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding, lung infection, bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, electrolyte imbalance, and ascites.
5. Data Extraction
Two authors (Luo and Zhang) independently extracted data from the included studies and reviewed the full text. Afterward, they discussed and checked the disagreements with the third member of the reviewing team (Da-Zhi Zhang). Data were extracted considering: (I) study: title, author, year, and location, diagnosis of patients, design, and sample size; (II) interventions: corticosteroids types and dosage, administration time, and follow-up time; (III) conventional treatment: types of antiviral drug; (IV) study outcomes: the rate of improvement, mortality rate, and the incidence of complications.
5.1. Quality Score
We used the modified Jadad scale to assess the quality of the selected studies, based on the description generation of allocation sequence, allocation concealment, double blinding, deviations, and withdrawals.
5.2. Statistical Analysis
The meta-analysis was carried out using Stata 12.0 software (Stata Company, College Station, Texas, USA). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to compare the outcome in glucocorticoids plus conventional group and conventional group. Cochran’s Q test and I-squared index was assessed to evaluate heterogeneity between the groups. When P > 0.05 in Cochran’s Q test and I2 < 50%, the heterogeneity was absent. Mantel-Haenszel method was applied for a fixed-effects model, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Publication bias was examined using the Begg’s and Egger’s test. When P < 0.05, the bias was considered significant.
6. Results
6.1. Characteristics of the Included Studies
In this meta-analysis, 1259 articles were initially identified in the initial search as described above (Figure 1), then after removing duplicates items, 1187 articles were assessed and screened with regard to the title and abstract. Of these articles, 72 full-text studies were further evaluated regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis.
Study selection process. Of the 1259 studies initially identified from our electronic searches, 10 met the inclusion criteria. RCT: randomized controlled trial.
The main characteristics of the included studies are listed in Table 1. Of the 891 patients, 446 patients received combination therapy and 445 patients received conventional therapy. All studies were from China and published between 2011 and 2016. The detailed information regarding the liver biochemical markers is shown in Supplementary File Appendix 1. Among the 10 studies, improvement rate (827 patients) was reported in nine studies (12-19, 26), the mortality rate (439 patients) was reported in seven studies (14-19, 27); however, none of the studies reported liver transplantation rate. Furthermore, gastrointestinal bleeding (599 patients) was reported in six studies (13, 14, 16-19). Lung infection (405 patients) was reported in three studies (13, 17, 27). Bacterial peritonitis (465 patients) was reported in four studies (13, 14, 17, 27). Hepatic encephalopathy (663 patients) was reported in seven studies (13, 14, 16-19, 27). Hepatorenal syndrome (510 patients) was reported in four studies (13, 14, 18, 19). Electrolyte imbalance (159 patients) was reported in two studies (17, 18). Ascites (389 patients) was reported in three studies (13, 16, 17). The type and dose of glucocorticoid received by the patients in the combination group were different. Patients in four studies were randomized to receive dexamethasone (2.5 - 10 mg/day). Patients in two studies used methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day). Patients in two studies were treated with prednisone (20 mg/day to 50 - 60 mg/day). Patients in one study initiated methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day and changed to prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day. Patients in another study used hydrocortisone 25 mg/day. The characteristic of glucocorticoid treatment included in this meta-analysis is shown in Table 2. Based on the Jadad scale, we evaluated the methodological quality data of the included trails listed in Supplementary File Appendix 2.
| First Author, Ref. | Year | Location | Age, y, (Mean ± SD) | Gender, Male/Female | Patients, No. | Study Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wu, (12) | 2011 | China | (31.9 ± 7.7)/(32.5 ± 8.2) | 32/36 | 43/44 | RCT |
| Shu-Sheng, (13) | 2014 | China | (47.25 ± 13.15)/(45.31 ± 12.22) | 127/135 | 150/150 | RCT |
| Lei, (14) | 2015 | China | NA | NA | 30/30 | RCT |
| Hui-Zhen, (15) | 2012 | China | NA | 30/30 | 40/36 | RCT |
| Lin-Fang, (16) | 2016 | China | (48.61 ± 12.41)/(47.26 ± 14.13) | NA | 26/22 | RCT |
| Xiu-Mei, (17) | 2012 | China | (39.765 ± 5.101)/(41.054 ± 5.998) | 13/12 | 21/20 | RCT |
| Bo, (18) | 2016 | China | NA | NA | 59/59 | RCT |
| Jin-Hui, (19) | 2014 | China | NA | NA | 12/20 | RCT |
| Wei-Mi, (26) | 2012 | China | NA | NA | 33/32 | RCT |
| Long Yun, (27) | 2016 | China | NA | NA | 32/32 | RCT |
Characteristics of Glucocorticoids Treatment Included in This Meta-Analysis
| First Author, Ref. | Year | Type, Dose | Duration, days | Follow-Up, Time, days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wu, (12) | 2011 | Dexamethasone, 10 mg/day | 7 | NA |
| Shu-Sheng, (13) | 2014 | Dexamethasone, 10 mg/day | 3 to 5 | 28 |
| Lei, (14) | 2015 | Methylprednisolone, 1 mg/kg/day, gradually reduced and changed to Prednisolone, 0.5 mg/kg/day, gradually reduced | 56 | 56 |
| Hui-Zhen, (15) | 2012 | Prednisolone, 50 - 60mg/day, gradually reduced | 56 | 84 |
| Lin-Fang, (16) | 2016 | Methylprednisolone,1 mg/kg/day, gradually reduced | 14 | 28 |
| Xiu-Mei, (17) | 2012 | Prednisolone, 20 mg/day, gradually reduced | 56 | 56 |
| Bo, 2016 (18) | Hydrocortisone, 25 mg/day | 28 | 28 | |
| Jin-Hui, (19) | 2014 | Dexamethasone, 2.5 mg/day | 14 | 56 |
| Wei-Ming, (26) | 2012 | Dexamethasone, 10 mg/day, gradually reduced | 21 | 28 |
| Yun, (27) | 2016 | Methylprednisolone, 1 mg/kg/day, gradually reduced | 30 | 30 |
6.2. Outcomes
6.2.1. Primary Outcome
6.2.1.1. The Rate of Improvement
Nine studies containing 827 patients reported improvement rates. Patients treated with glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy achieved a greater improvement rate compared to patients treated with conventional therapy (OR = 3.98; 95% CI [2.80, 5.66]; P = 0.000, Figure 2). No significant heterogeneity existed across the studies (P = 0.158; I2 = 32.5%); thus the fixed-effect model was applied.
Pooled comparison of the rate of improvement in the glucocorticoid therapy group and control group
6.2.1.2. Mortality Rate
Seven trials containing 439 patients reported mortality rates in which three studies reported the information of 4-week mortality, 3 reported the information of 8-week mortality, and the one reported the information of 12-week mortality. By analyzing these seven studies together, our result demonstrated that glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy reduced the mortality rate of patients with HBV-related liver failure, and the difference was statistically significant (OR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.20, 0.74], P = 0.004, Figure 3). No statistical heterogeneity was detected among the studies and we chose the fixed effects model (P = 0.648, I2 = 0.0%).
Forest plot showing on the occurrence of the mortality
6.2.2. Secondary Outcomes
6.2.2.1. Complications
We conducted a complications analysis to compare the incidence of complications between the combination group and the control group (Table 3). Our data showed that the addition of glucocorticoid reduced the rate of hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.19, 0.60], P = 0.000), hepatorenal syndrome (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.10, 0.47], P = 0.000), electrolyte imbalance (OR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.12, 0.62], P = 0.002), and ascites (OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.28, 0.90], P = 0.021). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the incidence of complication for lung infection (OR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.27, 2.10], P = 0.595), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 1.00], P = 0.050), and bacterial peritonitis (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.31, 1.58], P = 0.396). The results showed no statistical heterogeneity in the above complications analysis (P > 0.05, I2 < 50%) and the fixed-effect model was applied.
Results of Complication Analysis Evaluating the Differences Between the Combination Group and Control Groupa
| Complications | Studies, No. | Patients with Complications, No. | OR | 95% CI | P Value | I2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatic encephalopathy | 7 | 17/49 | 0.34 | 0.19 to 0.60 | 0.000 | 48.3% |
| Hepatorenal syndrome | 3 | 8/35 | 0.22 | 0.10 to 0.47 | 0.000 | 37.9% |
| Electrolyte imbalance | 2 | 10/27 | 0.27 | 0.12 to 0.62 | 0.002 | 0.0% |
| Ascites | 3 | 21/36 | 0.50 | 0.28 to 0.90 | 0.021 | 0.0% |
| Lung infection | 3 | 7/9 | 0.76 | 0.27 to 2.10 | 0.595 | 0.0% |
| Gastrointestinal bleeding | 6 | 13/24 | 0.48 | 0.23 to 1.00 | 0.050 | 8.8% |
| Bacterial peritonitis | 4 | 11/15 | 0.70 | 0.31 to 1.58 | 0.396 | 0.0% |
6.3. Publication Bias Analysis
Begg’s and Egger’s regression test was used for evaluating the publication bias of the literature, and there was no evidence of publication bias in this meta-analysis (Supplementary File Appendix 3).
7. Conclusions
Several associations for the study of liver diseases (the Asian-Pacific Association, the American Association or the European Association) have not recommended glucocorticoids plus conventional therapy in combination form for liver failure, except for Chinese guidelines. Our study investigated published data on glucocorticoids plus conventional therapy and found that combination therapy reduces the mortality rate without increasing the incidence of complications in Chinese patients.
Although liver failure is recognized as a clinical entity in chronic viral hepatitis, its impact continues to be associated with greater morbidity and mortality (28, 29). The clinical treatment of liver failure includes standard medical treatment, artificial liver treatment, stem cell transplantation, and liver transplantation. Liver transplantation is the definite and most effective therapy for patients with liver failure without malignancies who progressed to serious liver deterioration (30). Artificial liver, especially the bioartificial liver, also plays an important role in the treatment of liver failure. However, the shortage of liver donors in China and the inaccessibility of artificial liver in economically backward areas have emphasized medical treatment rather than liver transplantation. Therefore, the evaluation of standard medical treatment for hepatitis B patients with severe exacerbation is necessary.
Glucocorticoids as immunomodulatory agents have been applied to treat allergic and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis since the 1950s (31, 32). Several recent RCTs showed that a combination of glucocorticoids and conventional treatment was superior to conventional monotherapy (33-36); however, other reports claimed that mono-therapies and combination therapy had similar results (37).
Our data implied that combination therapy (glucocorticoid plus conventional) showed better improvement rate and mortality rate than conventional monotherapy. Anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids could be beneficial to stop progressive liver deterioration (10). In addition, their capability of preventing from cytolysis of infected hepatocytes (11), and regulating the plasma levels of TNF, IL-6, CXCL8 (IL-8), and CCL2 (MCP-1) may also play a vital role (38). Importantly, this positive trend could impute the clinical use of blood products, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and nucleoside (acid) analogues in the treatment of liver failure.
Liver failure can lead to the infection, bleeding, and hepatorenal syndrome (39), suggesting whether therapy with glucocorticoids could induce or aggravate the above complications. Our results demonstrated that the addition of glucocorticoid to conventional therapy did not result in an increased incidence of hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, electrolyte imbalance or ascites in patients with HBV-related hepatic failure. One reason to explain the effectiveness of combination therapy in the current study compared to others could be the administration of corticosteroids for longer duration and the presence of infection or HBV replication.
There are some limitations to this meta-analysis. First, there are differences in the type, dose and duration of glucocorticoid among the studies included. Second, the long-term durability, safety, and side effects of corticosteroids had not been established. Third, the pathophysiology and the condition of patients varied in different types of liver failure, including ALF, SALF, ACLF, and CLF. These patients would have variable manifestations and outcomes. However, there was not enough data to perform subgroup analysis. Additionally, since all of the data in our meta-analysis are from China, future RCT studies on the use of combination therapy from all over the world will provide a better understanding. Finally, the ideal timing for beginning this treatment in the clinical course of the disease is unknown. Thus we still need to accumulate more data in this field to determine the optimal beginning time, type, dose, and duration of corticosteroids.
In summary, corticosteroids improve efficacy in patients with HBV-related hepatic failure without increasing the risk of mortality or complications. Our study provides comprehensive evidence in initiating glucocorticoid plus conventional therapy as a reasonable strategy in treating patients with HBV-related liver failure.
References
-
1.
Liver F, Artificial Liver Group CSOIDCMA, Severe Liver D, Artificial Liver Group CSOHCMA. [Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of liver failure]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. 2019;27(1):18-26. Chinese. [PubMed ID: 30685919]. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2019.01.006.
-
2.
Sarin SK, Kedarisetty CK, Abbas Z, Amarapurkar D, Bihari C, Chan AC, et al. Acute-on-chronic liver failure: Consensus recommendations of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) 2014. Hepatol Int. 2014;8(4):453-71. [PubMed ID: 26202751]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-014-9580-2.
-
3.
Tillmann HL, Zachou K, Dalekos GN. Management of severe acute to fulminant hepatitis B: To treat or not to treat or when to treat? Liver Int. 2012;32(4):544-53. [PubMed ID: 22099371]. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02682.x.
-
4.
Moreau R. Acute-on-chronic liver failure: a new syndrome in cirrhosis. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2016;22(1):1-6. [PubMed ID: 27044760]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4825167]. https://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2016.22.1.1.
-
5.
Li H, Chen LY, Zhang NN, Li ST, Zeng B, Pavesi M, et al. Characteristics, Diagnosis and Prognosis of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Cirrhosis Associated to Hepatitis B. Sci Rep. 2016;6:25487. [PubMed ID: 27146801]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4857102]. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25487.
-
6.
Li H, Chen HS, Nyberg SL. Extracorporeal liver support and liver transplant for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. Semin Liver Dis. 2016;36(2):153-60. [PubMed ID: 27172357]. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1583197.
-
7.
Wang J, Ma K, Han M, Guo W, Huang J, Yang D, et al. Nucleoside analogs prevent disease progression in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: Validation of the TPPM model. Hepatol Int. 2014;8(1):64-71. [PubMed ID: 26202407]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-013-9485-5.
-
8.
Chisari FV, Ferrari C. Hepatitis B virus immunopathogenesis. Annu Rev Immunol. 1995;13:29-60. [PubMed ID: 7612225]. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.iy.13.040195.000333.
-
9.
Uchida T, Hiraga N, Imamura M, Tsuge M, Abe H, Hayes CN, et al. Human cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated acute liver failure and rescue by immunoglobulin in human hepatocyte transplant TK-NOG mice. J Virol. 2015;89(19):10087-96. [PubMed ID: 26246560]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4577899]. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01126-15.
-
10.
Fujiwara K, Yokosuka O, Kojima H, Kanda T, Saisho H, Hirasawa H, et al. Importance of adequate immunosuppressive therapy for the recovery of patients with "life-threatening" severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol. 2005;11(8):1109-14. [PubMed ID: 15754390]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4250699]. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v11.i8.1109.
-
11.
Zhao B, Xie GJ, Li RF, Chen Q, Zhang XQ. Dexamethasone protects normal human liver cells from apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand by upregulating the expression of P-glycoproteins. Mol Med Rep. 2015;12(6):8093-100. [PubMed ID: 26496964]. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2015.4458.
-
12.
Wu JY, Li M, Zhang H. [Effect of glucocorticoid treatment on the clinical outcome of patients with early-stage liver failure]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2011;31(3):554-6. Chinese. [PubMed ID: 21421506].
-
13.
Shu-Sheng Y, Ping-An F, Ke-Fan C, Qi-Ru L, Fei L, Bin Y. [Clinical research of dexamethasone in treatment of patients with early chronic severe hepatitis B]. Pract J Clin Med. Chinese. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-6170.2014.06.032.
-
14.
Lei D. [Research on application of Entecavir conbined with glucocorticoid in early HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure [dissertation]]. Taishan Medical College; 2015. Chinese.
-
15.
Hui-Zhen L, Sheng-Yi Y, Shu-Xia L, Wei. L. [Clinic observation to the treatment of liver failure with antiviral combining with glucocorticoid]. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2012;24(3):139-42. Chinese. https://doi.org/10.3870/1cxh.j.issn.1005-541X.2012.03.04.
-
16.
Lin-Fang L, Chun-Xiao W, Qing Y. [The clinical efficacy of glucocorticoid in the treatment of hepatitis B-related early-stage liver failure]. J Youjiang Med University Nationlities. 2016;38(3):274-6. Chinese. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-5817.2016.03.010.
-
17.
Xiu-Mei W. [The exploration of clinical effect about prednisolone in HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure [dissertation]]. Zhengzhou University; 2012. Chinese.
-
18.
Bo B, Ling Z, Tang-Ming W, Shi-Chun Y, Jian-Ming Z, Zhi-An X. [Efficacy of low-dose glucocorticoids in treatment of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure]. J Clin Hepatol. 2016;32(7):1300-4. Chinese. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-5256.2016.07.017.
-
19.
Jin-Hui Z, Lei S, Xiao-Hua. Z. [Early efficacy of low-dose glucocorticoids in treatment of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure]. Shandong Med. 2014;54(1):51-3. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1002-266X.2014.01.020.
-
20.
Oray M, Abu Samra K, Ebrahimiadib N, Meese H, Foster CS. Long-term side effects of glucocorticoids. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2016;15(4):457-65. [PubMed ID: 26789102]. https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2016.1140743.
-
21.
Bartlett R, Hartle AJ. Routine use of dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting: The case against. Anaesthesia. 2013;68(9):892-6. [PubMed ID: 23848377]. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.12309.
-
22.
Dhatariya K. II. Does dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemia contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality? Br J Anaesth. 2013;110(5):674-5. [PubMed ID: 23599510]. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aet010.
-
23.
Polson J, Lee WM, American Association for the Study of Liver D. AASLD position paper: The management of acute liver failure. Hepatology. 2005;41(5):1179-97. [PubMed ID: 15841455]. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.20703.
-
24.
European Association For The Study Of The L. EASL clinical practice guidelines: Management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol. 2012;57(1):167-85. [PubMed ID: 22436845]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2012.02.010.
-
25.
Chinese Medical Association of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases; Liver Disease Branch. [Viral hepatitis prevention program]. Chinese J Infect Dis. 2000. Chinese.
-
26.
Wei-Ming P, Qiang Y, Qi-Hui X, Han Z. [Efficacy of lamivudine combined with dexamethasone in the treatment of severe hepatitis B]. People's Military Surgeon; 2012. Chinese.
-
27.
Yun L, Yun-Hua L, Lan D, Li. Y. [Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid-decreasing-dose therapy in patients with hepatitis B-induced liver failure]. J Pract Liver Dis. 2016;19(3):297-300. Chinese. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-5069.2016.03.011.
-
28.
Rahimi RS, Rockey DC. Acute on chronic liver failure: Definitions, treatments and outcomes. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2016;32(3):172-81. [PubMed ID: 27023163]. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0000000000000265.
-
29.
Lee WM. Acute liver failure. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;33(1):36-45. [PubMed ID: 22447259]. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1301733.
-
30.
Fujiwara K, Nakano M, Yasui S, Okitsu K, Yonemitsu Y, Yokosuka O. Advanced histology and impaired liver regeneration are associated with disease severity in acute-onset autoimmune hepatitis. Histopathology. 2011;58(5):693-704. [PubMed ID: 21401703]. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.03790.x.
-
31.
Baschant U, Tuckermann J. The role of the glucocorticoid receptor in inflammation and immunity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010;120(2-3):69-75. [PubMed ID: 20346397]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.03.058.
-
32.
Trombetta AC, Meroni M, Cutolo M. Steroids and autoimmunity. Front Horm Res. 2017;48:121-32. [PubMed ID: 28245457]. https://doi.org/10.1159/000452911.
-
33.
Fujiwara K, Yasui S, Yonemitsu Y, Fukai K, Arai M, Imazeki F, et al. Efficacy of combination therapy of antiviral and immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. J Gastroenterol. 2008;43(9):711-9. [PubMed ID: 18807133]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-008-2222-5.
-
34.
Matsumoto K, Miyake Y, Miyatake H, Takahara M, Imada T, Yagi S, et al. A combination treatment of entecavir and early-phase corticosteroid in severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(13):1650-2. [PubMed ID: 19340912]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC2669952]. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.15.1650.
-
35.
Bockmann JH, Dandri M, Luth S, Pannicke N, Lohse AW. Combined glucocorticoid and antiviral therapy of hepatitis B virus-related liver failure. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(7):2214-9. [PubMed ID: 25717260]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4326162]. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v21.i7.2214.
-
36.
Fujiwara K, Yasui S, Okitsu K, Yonemitsu Y, Oda S, Yokosuka O. The requirement for a sufficient period of corticosteroid treatment in combination with nucleoside analogue for severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. J Gastroenterol. 2010;45(12):1255-62. [PubMed ID: 20614156]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-010-0280-y.
-
37.
Chen JF, Wang KW, Zhang SQ, Lei ZY, Xie JQ, Zhu JY, et al. Dexamethasone in outcome of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;29(4):800-6. [PubMed ID: 24224656]. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.12454.
-
38.
Zielinska KA, Van Moortel L, Opdenakker G, De Bosscher K, Van den Steen PE. Endothelial response to glucocorticoids in inflammatory diseases. Front Immunol. 2016;7:592. [PubMed ID: 28018358]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC5155119]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2016.00592.
-
39.
Marrero J, Martinez FJ, Hyzy R. Advances in critical care hepatology. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;168(12):1421-6. [PubMed ID: 14668256]. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200303-361UP.