The LF Index showed a stepwise increase with increasing histological severity of fibrosis in CHC patients (P = 0.0102), whereas no significant correlation of the LF Index with the histological severity of liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients (P = 0.852). There was a significant correlation

between the LF Index and liver stiffness measured by TE in CHC patients Roxadustat in vivo (r = 0.319, P = 0.0009). On the other hand, no such correlation was observed in NAFLD patients. While in CHC patients, the LF Index was correlated with the FIB-4 index, no such correlation was observed in NAFLD patients. The LF Index calculated by RTE is effective for assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with CHC. On the other hand, it is not useful in patients with NAFLD. This is the first study to compare the clinical usefulness of RTE as non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis between CHC and NAFLD. Further investigations are required to refine statistical assessment of RTE. “
“Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA For years, the natural course of diverticulitis in the young has been debatable in terms of its severity and recurrence rate, and no consensus has been reached regarding its treatment and timing of surgery. Thus, the study aims to

evaluate by meta-analysis the natural course of acute diverticulitis in the young. Data were obtained from electronic databases and see more manual search of studies comparing the course of diverticulitis in young versus elderly patients. The age cut-off was selected to be 40–50 years, and only studies using computed tomography as the sole modality for diagnosis were included. Primary outcomes were surgery during hospitalization and VAV2 disease recurrence. Relative risks (RRs) with

95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. One thousand eighty publications were found, 12 of which were included. The total number of patients was 4982. Most young patients were males (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.31–2.21), without tendency toward a more complicated disease at admission (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.46–1.97). While there was no significant difference in the rate of surgery during hospitalization (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.46–1.06), young patients underwent more elective surgeries (RR 2.39, 95% CI 1.82–3.15). No mortality was recorded among young patients. The disease recurrence rate was significantly higher than that of elderly patients (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.31–2.21); however, no study specified the mean follow-up period for each group. The course of diverticulitis in the young is not more severe than that in elderly patients; however, the disease tends to recur more often. Therefore, while choosing a therapeutic regimen, factors other than age should also be considered. “
“Anemia may increase the likelihood of achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) during pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.