Hepatology
Clinical Inquiries
Can patients with steatohepatitis take statins?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Patients with steatohepatitis who take HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors (statins) lower their elevated liver enzymes and show...
Clinical Inquiries
What is the best surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic carriers of hepatitis B?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Screening patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBsAg+) for hepatocellular carcinoma by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or...
Applied Evidence
The liver transplant recipient: What you need to know for long-term care
Anticipate known complications and your response in concert with the transplant center.
Clinical Inquiries
Who should get hepatitis A vaccination?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The following groups are at increased risk of contracting or having severe outcomes from hepatitis A and should receive...
Clinical Inquiries
Should liver enzymes be checked in a patient taking niacin?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No randomized trials directly address the question of frequency of liver enzyme monitoring with niacin use. Niacin use is...
Clinical Inquiries
Are liver function tests required for patients taking isoniazid for latent TB?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Routine liver function test monitoring is not required for all patients on isoniazid therapy for latent tuberculosis (TB)...
Q&A
Discontinuing aspirin or warfarin optional before cataract surgery
BACKGROUND: There is controversy over whether the risks of adverse events due to stopping anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy prior to...
Q&A
Extended-release oxybutynin and tolterodine treat overactive bladder
BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder is characterized by symptoms of urgency and frequency with or without involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence...
Q&A
Anticholinergics reduce symptoms of overactive bladder
BACKGROUND: Clinicians often use anticholinergic agents as the drugs of choice for overactive bladder. However, there is no consensus regarding...
Q&A
Watchful waiting is reasonable for gallstone symptoms
BACKGROUND: Do all patients with symptomatic gallstone disease require surgery? Patients with symptomatic gallstones routinely undergo surgery.