The Magnitude of Polypharmacy and Role of Disease Severity and Patient Sex in Medication Use Among Patients With MASLD Enrolled in TARGET-NASH.

Background: Polypharmacy is common among patients with multiple comorbidities but may compromise patient health due to medication interactions, cumulative side effects and compliance challenges.

Aim: Characterise the extent of polypharmacy and assess the effects of sex, liver disease severity and comorbidities in patients with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in a real-world setting.

Methods: Data from adults enrolled in TARGET-NASH, a real-world longitudinal observational cohort of patients with MASLD, were utilised.

Cardiovascular risk assessment tools are insufficient for patients with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Introduction: Risk for cardiovascular (CV) events is estimated by the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) and the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of CVD EVENTs (PREVENT) equation. The applicability of these risk tools in patients with MASLD is uncertain. This study sought to determine the accuracy of the FRS, PCE, and PREVENT in a real-world cohort of patients with MASLD.

Exploring the Role of Patient Preferences in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment Decisions: A Qualitative Study.

Unlabelled: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment decisions are becoming increasingly complex as new treatment options emerge. Improved understanding of tradeoffs and patient preferences in treatment decisions will enhance patient-provider discussions, improve treatment development, and inform HCC treatment guidelines. We performed a qualitative study involving patients with HCC and medical providers to assess the role of patient preferences in HCC treatment choices.

Rural-Urban Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Deaths Are Driven by Hepatitis C-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Recent data suggest emerging rural-urban disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) burden in the United States. We aimed to assess (i) trends in rural vs urban HCC-related mortality and (ii) differences in underlying chronic liver disease etiologies contributing to HCC-related deaths.

Methods: We used the National Vital Statistics System to examine crude and age-adjusted HCC death rates overall and by etiology for rural and urban residents from 2005 to 2023.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening: From Current Standard of Care to Future Directions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant portion of global cancer incidence and mortality. Screening with ultrasound with or without alpha-fetoprotein is recommended for those at high-risk. Although screening can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes, existing screening paradigms have several flaws.