Table of contents
January 2007 Volume 4 No 1
The numbers of patients actually infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can only be estimated, but many go on to develop chronic disease and some will develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Only about half of patients with chronic disease achieve a sustained viral response. This supplement presents information on ways in which therapeutic approaches and agents, such as pegylated interferon and ribavirin, are advancing. Robert Brown discusses the possibilities of tailoring therapy according to the likelihood of achieving and SVR. Kenneth Sherman reviews the data on the treatment of patients with HIV and HCV co-infection. Finally, Eugene Schiff rounds up information from studies of emerging therapies. These articles aim to highlight the ways in which management of hepatitis C might be improved in the future.
Viewpoint
Is there a link between diet and esophageal cancer?
2Although alcohol consumption and tobacco use are the major risk factors for esophageal cancer in developed countries, nutrition and diet are also important. This Viewpoint discusses evidence for a link between diet and esophageal cancer and the influence it might have with regard to the prevention of esophageal cancer.
Research Highlights
Resistance to adefovir dipivoxil in patients with chronic hepatitis B
4Possible new phenotypic marker for risk of hereditary colorectal cancer
4Is immunology more important than histopathology for colorectal cancer prognosis?
4H. pylori therapy containing amoxicillin–clavulanate and tetracycline is ineffective
5Previously unrecognized genetic mutations in colorectal and breast cancers
5Donor mortality after living donor liver transplantation
6Clonidine speeds up patient responses to standard diuretic therapy
6Low-cost, local food supplement improves efficacy of treatment for malnourishment
7High consumption of 'gluten-free' foods can result in nontrivial gluten exposure
7Surgery for desmoid tumors associated with FAP: 10-year experience
7Open-access endoscopy: inaccurate referral information puts patients at risk
8Antiviral therapy reduces portal hypertension in CHC-related compensated cirrhosis
9Practice Points
How effective are oral hyoscine butylbromide and paracetamol for the relief of crampy abdominal pain?
10Is re-treatment with peginterferon 
-2a and ribavirin effective in patients with relapsed chronic hepatitis C?
12What is the optimal laparoscopic antireflux procedure for children with gastroesophageal reflux disease?
14Should intraoperative cholangiography be routinely attempted during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
16Is there an optimal surgical treatment for infants with perforated necrotizing enterocolitis?
18Is ERCP necessary in all patients with an abnormal intraoperative cholangiogram?
20Reviews
Management strategies in alcoholic liver disease
24Chronic consumption of alcohol can cause a spectrum of liver abnormalities, ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcoholic liver disease is still the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in the Western world. This Review focuses on the current management of patients with alcoholic liver disease, with emphasis on alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0683 | Full Text | PDF (301K)
How to manage the difficult-to-treat dyspeptic patient
35Dyspepsia is remarkably common. Of those individuals with dyspepsia who present for care, perhaps 10% are referred because their symptoms remain refractory and troublesome. Many gastroenterologists seem to feel somewhat at a loss in this situation; however, there are sensible management options to consider. This Review considers the testing and treatment alternatives, and discusses what can be done for the difficult-to treat dyspeptic patient.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0685 | Full Text | PDF (250K)
Drug Insight: the role of albumin in the management of chronic liver disease
43The main physiologic function of albumin is to maintain colloid osmotic pressure. The recognition of many other physiologic functions, however, means that the clinical application of albumin has expanded. This Review discusses the physiologic actions of albumin, the clinical settings in which albumin has been used in patients with cirrhosis, and the potential benefits and pitfalls associated with the use of albumin.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0680 | Full Text | PDF (428K)
Case Study
Napoleon Bonaparte's gastric cancer: a clinicopathologic approach to staging, pathogenesis, and etiology
52doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0684 | Full Text | PDF (315K)
