Antiviral Therapy Reduces Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Hepatitis B: TDF as the Most Effective Agent.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires long-term antiviral therapy, but its broader effects on metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes remain underexplored. This nationwide retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of antiviral therapy on dyslipidemia and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in CHB patients. Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database, we identified 441 191 patients, of whom 48 606 received antiviral treatment and were matched 1:1 with untreated controls by propensity score.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate versus other antivirals in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) has potent antiviral efficacy against chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study investigated the efficacy of BSV in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development compared to other antiviral therapy (AVT) agents. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on treatment-naïve patients with CHB who initiated an AVT between 2017 and 2022 with BSV (n = 486), entecavir (ETV) (n = 852), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (n = 801), or tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate (TDF) (n = 750).

Coffee and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mendelian Randomization Studies.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the potential causal link between coffee consumption and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk via Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Five eligible MR studies that involved the use of analytical approaches such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were included. While previous observational studies suggested a protective role of coffee, the MR-based analyses in this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant association across all methods.

Comparative risk of osteoporosis and fractures in chronic hepatitis B patients: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate vs. entecavir in a Korean nationwide cohort.

Background & Aims: The optimal antiviral agent for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at risk for osteoporosis remains debated. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures between patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) using a nationwide cohort in South Korea.

Method: We analyzed 40,404 patients with CHB treated with either TDF (n = 23,779) or ETV (n = 16,625).

Current perspectives on the pharmacological treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a critical health concern in Korea, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer mortality and imposing substantial economic burdens, particularly among the working-age population. This review examines recent advancements in treating advanced HCC, referencing the updated 2022 HCC guidelines and the Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer system. Historically, first-line systemic therapies included sorafenib and lenvatinib, with regorafenib, cabozantinib, or ramucirumab serving as second-line options.

Expert survey on systemic therapy indications for hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: bridging clinical practice and reimbursement criteria.

This survey aimed to collect expert opinions from multidisciplinary specialists involved in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Korea regarding real-world criteria for systemic therapy indications. In response to discrepancies between national reimbursement policies and clinical decision-making, members of the Korean Liver Cancer Association and Korean Association for the Study of the Liver participated in a web-based survey from February 4 to 14, 2025. A total of 89 respondents, primarily experienced clinicians, provided their views on major clinical scenarios including infiltrative HCC, bilobar multifocal disease, huge tumors, vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) refractoriness.

Diagnostic performance of microvascular flow imaging for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents a significant global health challenge necessitating the evaluation of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of microvascular flow (MV-flow) imaging in evaluating liver fibrosis and compare it with other non-invasive tools.

Methods: Between July 2020 and June 2022, we prospectively enrolled patients scheduled for liver biopsy, concurrently measuring MV-flow imaging, transient elastography (TE), and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) as part of the assessment process.

Non-Invasive Jaundice Screening Using AI: Machine Learning Analysis of Sclera and Urine Images.

Jaundice commonly indicates liver dysfunction and is traditionally diagnosed via invasive blood tests. This study aimed to develop an AI-based program utilizing images of sclera and urine for non-invasive jaundice screening and compared its accuracy to that of standard blood tests. : This retrospective study involved patients who underwent liver function and bilirubin tests.

Microbial and Immune Landscape of Malignant Ascites: Insights from Gut, Bladder, and Ascitic Fluid Analyses.

Background/objectives: Malignant ascites frequently arises in advanced cancers with peritoneal metastasis and is associated with poor outcomes. Known mechanisms include lymphatic obstruction by tumor cells, increased vascular permeability, and sodium retention via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; however, the pathogenesis remains not fully understood. We investigated whether gut and bladder microbiomes correlate with malignant ascites development or progression and whether the immune microenvironment in ascitic fluid is altered.

Current Trends and Impact of Liver Biopsy on Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Korean Multicenter Analysis.

: The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mainly relies on imaging, with biopsy reserved for cases where imaging results are inconclusive. While biopsy offers histological confirmation and can guide treatment decisions, its impact on survival outcomes in HCC patients remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine biopsy practices and evaluate their effects on survival rates in HCC patients.

The role of large language models in the peer-review process: opportunities and challenges for medical journal reviewers and editors.

The peer review process ensures the integrity of scientific research. This is particularly important in the medical field, where research findings directly impact patient care. However, the rapid growth of publications has strained reviewers, causing delays and potential declines in quality.

Safety of tenofovir alafenamide in the context of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide analysis.

Background: Despite numerous small-scale studies, the correlation between tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and hyperlipidemia remains still limited. This study aims to evaluate the safety of TAF regarding hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases using a nationwide cohort.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, comparing incidence rates of hyperlipidemia and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using 1:1 propensity score matching between TAF and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) users.

Glucosamine supplementation attenuates progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and related comorbidities.

Background & Aims: This study examines the impact of glucosamine on the progression and outcomes of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) using a large scale cohort.

Methods: Present study utilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for confounders in this cohort study. Participants were classified based on glucosamine use, and primary and secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidences.

Parenteral Nutrition-Induced Liver Function Complications: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognosis.

: Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease (PNALD) is a significant complication in patients undergoing parenteral nutrition (PN). This study aims to explore the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with PNALD, including abnormal liver function tests, in patients receiving parenteral nutrition, even in short-term PN recipients. : A retrospective analysis of 500 patients receiving PN for at least 3 days at a tertiary medical center was conducted.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease increases cardiovascular disease risk in young adults.

Although a robust association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been established, the impact of MASLD on CVD risk in young adults has not been fully evaluated. This population-based study included adults aged 20-39 years who underwent health screening examinations from 2009 to 2012 based on Korean National Health Insurance Service database. MASLD was defined as a fatty liver index ≥ 30 without any other cause of steatosis, and presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factors.

Comparison of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence after long-term treatment with besifovir vs. tenofovir AF.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) is a novel antiviral agent widely used in South Korea for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to compare the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following long-term use of BSV versus tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), utilizing large-scale national data. A total of 41,949 patients were analyzed, with propensity score matching (PSM) yielding 2,239 BSV and 6,717 TAF patients.

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Versus Entecavir: Effects on Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Outcomes in People Living With Chronic Hepatitis B.

While entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) effectively manage chronic hepatitis B, their long-term effects on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular outcomes remain unclear. This study compares the impact of ETV, TDF, and treatment-naïve (control group) on hyperlipidemia and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in people living with chronic hepatitis B (PLWHB). We used claim data from the South Korean National Health Insurance Service.

Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort.

Background & Aims: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) lacks extensive research regarding its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated and compared the effects of TAF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) on HCC incidence using nationwide claim data.

Methods: In total, 75,816 patients with treatment-naïve HBV were included in the study and divided into TAF (n = 25,680), TDF (n = 26,954), and ETV (n = 23,182) groups after exclusions.

Aetiology of chronic liver disease is a valuable factor for stratifying adverse outcomes of acute decompensation: prospective observational study.

Background/aims: Acute decompensation (AD) is defined as the development of complications related to portal hypertension and liver dysfunction that affect the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC). Variations exist in patient demographics and prognostic outcomes of AD based on the aetiology of CLD, encompassing LC. However, limited research has been conducted to analyse these discrepancies across aetiologies.

Adverse impact of metabolic dysfunction on fibrosis regression following direct-acting antiviral therapy: A multicenter study for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) effectively eradicate hepatitis C virus. This study investigated whether metabolic dysfunction influences the likelihood of fibrosis regression after DAA treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included 8,819 patients diagnosed with CHC who were treated with DAAs and achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) between January 2014 and December 2022.