Impact of rifaximin use in infections and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.

Introduction: Infections in patients with cirrhosis are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rifaximin is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent hepatic encephalopathy (HE); however, it has been suggested that it may play a crucial role in reducing infections in these populations.

Aim: To evaluate the role of rifaximin in preventing frequent cirrhosis-related infections [spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), and bacteremia], e infection, and all-cause mortality, as well as determining adverse effects and adherence to the drug.

[Reduction in Helicobacter pylori infection among patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Santiago, Chile, between 2010-2020].

Unlabelled: Latin America presents a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection. Between1996-2003, the prevalence in Santiago, Chile, was 70%; recent studies indicate a decreasein this infection. Updating the frequency of Hp is crucial due to its associated health impact.

Clinical features and prognosis of malignant small bowel tumors: Experience from a university hospital in Chile.

Background: Small bowel tumors (SBT) are infrequent and represent a small proportion of digestive neoplasms. There is scarce information about SBT in Latin America.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and survival of malignant SBTs.

Implementation of the updated Sydney system biopsy protocol improves the diagnostic yield of gastric preneoplastic conditions: Results from a real-world study.

Background: The updated Sydney system biopsy protocol (USSBP) standardizes the sampling of gastric biopsies for the detection of preneoplastic conditions (e.g., gastric intestinal metaplasia [GIM]), but the real-world diagnostic yield is not well-described.

[Educational impact after 10 years of implementation of a portfolio for undergraduate medical students].

Background: A portfolio is a compilation of academic work that demonstrates student's knowledge, reflection and critical thinking.

Aim: To describe the development and implementation of an undergraduate portfolio in the School of Medicine at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, its temporal evolution and its educational impact after 10 years of experience.

Material And Methods: The development and implementation of a portfolio for 4th-year undergraduate medical student was analyzed.

Prioritization for liver transplantation using the MELD score in Chile: Inequities generated by MELD exceptions.: A collaboration between the Chilean Liver Transplant Programs, the Public Health Institute and the National Transplant Coordinator.

Introduction And Aim: The MELD score has been established as an efficient and rigorous prioritization system for liver transplant (LT). Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the MELD score as a system for prioritization for LT, in terms of decreasing the dropout rate in the waiting list and maintaining an adequate survival post-LT in Chile.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed the Chilean Public Health Institute liver transplant registry of candidates listed from October 15th 2011 to December 31st 2014.

Serum cytokeratin-18 fragment levels as noninvasive marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the chilean population.

Unlabelled: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most aggressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and involves the risk of progression to more advanced stages of liver disease. Non-invasive methods are needed to identify patients with NASH.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the determination of serum levels of cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) as a non-invasive marker of NASH in the Chilean population.