It may be more optimally performed in selected patients at very high risk of rebleeding. This study aims to analyze the clinical and endoscopic factors that contribute to intractable endoscopic hemostasis and to determine the optimal role of second-look endoscopy.

Methods: Prospectively collected UGI bleeding registry data was reviewed and data from 464 patients who underwent UGI endoscopy for acute non-variceal UGI bleeding from 8 hospitals in Korea between February 2011 and December 2013 were analyzed. Significant predictive factors (P < 0.05) of intractable endoscopic hemostasis in univariate analysis were entered in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Successful hemostasis was achieved in 394 patients AZD6244 by using initial endoscopic procedures. Seventy patients at the second-look endoscopy were considered

Rapamycin research buy intractable or insufficient to the initial endoscopic hemostasis, and they required second endoscopic hemostasis. Univariate analysis significantly related intractable endoscopic hemostasis with large amount of transfusion (≥5 units), Glasgow-Blatchford score, Rockall score, Forrest bleeding type Ia and degree of initial endoscopic hemostasis. Multivariate analysis showed that large amount of transfusion and Rockall score were only predictive factors of secondary endoscopic hemostasis. Conclusion: Large amount of transfusion and Rockall score are identified as independent risk factors associated with intractable initial endoscopic hemostasis in patients with acute non-variceal bleeding. Second-look endoscopy after initial endoscopic hemostasis in these patients MCE公司 is not routinely

indicated and be reserved for selected patients with high risk of rebleeding. Key Word(s): 1. second look endoscopy; 2. acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding Presenting Author: HYUN-WOO PARK Additional Authors: SEONG WOO JEON, JUN HEO Corresponding Author: HYUN-WOO PARK Affiliations: Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine Objective: This study aimed to clarify the features of non-peptic ulcer related bleeding compared with peptic ulcer related bleeding in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) patients.

It may be more optimally performed in selected patients at very high risk of rebleeding. This study aims to analyze the clinical and endoscopic factors that contribute to intractable endoscopic hemostasis and to determine the optimal role of second-look endoscopy.

Methods: Prospectively collected UGI bleeding registry data was reviewed and data from 464 patients who underwent UGI endoscopy for acute non-variceal UGI bleeding from 8 hospitals in Korea between February 2011 and December 2013 were analyzed. Significant predictive factors (P < 0.05) of intractable endoscopic hemostasis in univariate analysis were entered in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Successful hemostasis was achieved in 394 patients http://www.selleckchem.com/autophagy.html by using initial endoscopic procedures. Seventy patients at the second-look endoscopy were considered

selleck inhibitor intractable or insufficient to the initial endoscopic hemostasis, and they required second endoscopic hemostasis. Univariate analysis significantly related intractable endoscopic hemostasis with large amount of transfusion (≥5 units), Glasgow-Blatchford score, Rockall score, Forrest bleeding type Ia and degree of initial endoscopic hemostasis. Multivariate analysis showed that large amount of transfusion and Rockall score were only predictive factors of secondary endoscopic hemostasis. Conclusion: Large amount of transfusion and Rockall score are identified as independent risk factors associated with intractable initial endoscopic hemostasis in patients with acute non-variceal bleeding. Second-look endoscopy after initial endoscopic hemostasis in these patients MCE公司 is not routinely

indicated and be reserved for selected patients with high risk of rebleeding. Key Word(s): 1. second look endoscopy; 2. acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding Presenting Author: HYUN-WOO PARK Additional Authors: SEONG WOO JEON, JUN HEO Corresponding Author: HYUN-WOO PARK Affiliations: Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine Objective: This study aimed to clarify the features of non-peptic ulcer related bleeding compared with peptic ulcer related bleeding in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) patients.

FIB-4 scores > 3. 25 indicated advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. Results: Median age of the 134 patients was 57 years [interquartile range (IQR)=51-61], 91(68%) were male; 23 (17%) were black, 16 (12%) had HCV/HIV co-infection, 48 (36%) had advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. Seventeen patients relapsed after the end of treatment; only 58 (43%) had an SVR12. Median cost of standard triple therapy (telaprevir, IFN/RBV and routine care) was $77, 020 ($66,

045-$92, 980) per patient. Median cost of standard triple therapy plus AE management was $84, 063 ($67, 967-$98, Stem Cell Compound Library 1 38). 〇n an intention-to-treat basis, median total cost per SVR12 was $194, 216 ($156, 503 – $223, 162). Seventy-seven patients (57%) had AE-attributable costs; 49% received epoetin-a and 12% had a treatment-related hospitalization. For the 58 patients who completed 48 weeks of treatment, the median total cost was $98, 348 ($93, 412-$112, 772). Total cost was significantly lower Barasertib mouse for the 13 patients who completed response-guided therapy: $74, 890 ($74, 627-$85, 127), p<0.01. Median total cost for the 20 patients who discontinued due to AEs was $58, 933 ($28, 951$72, 579), and it was $67, 288 ($32, 600-$76, 371) for the 41 patients with on-treatment virologic failure. Based on these data, costs to treat 100 patients in the real world totaled to $7. 9 million, of

which $3. 7 million (47% of the total) were spent on patients who failed to achieve an SVR. Conclusions: The median total cost of 48 weeks of telaprevir-based triple therapy was $98, 348, including costs of preparing the patient for treatment, AE management, and post-treatment SVR testing. The median total cost per SVR12 was $194, 216. Reductions in AEs are needed to optimize the clinical and economic effectiveness of HCV treatment (DK090317, DA0301095, CA152514). Disclosures: Michel Ng – Speaking and Teaching: boehringer ingelheim, jaansen, gilead Viktoriya Khaitova – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Gilead, Vertex, Three River, Salix Joseph A. Odin – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Bristol Meyers 上海皓元 Squibb Douglas T. Dieterich – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Gilead, Genentech, Janssen,

achillion, idenix, Merck, Tobira, Boehringer Ingelheim, Tibotec, Inhibitex, Roche, Vertex Andrea D. Branch – Grant/Research Support: Kadmon, Gilead, Janssen The following people have nothing to disclose: Kian Bichoupan, Valerie MartelLaferriere, Emily A. Schonfeld, Alexis Pappas, James F. Crismale, Alicia Stivala, Donald Gardenier, Ponni Perumalswami, Thomas D. Schiano, Lawrence U. Liu Purpose: The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model has shown that hepatitis C(HCV) in underserved communities can be effectively treated by primary care providers, yielding a sustained viral response rate of 57. 5% in an underserved population with complex health problems. Cost concerns however may hinder ECHO dissemination, so we examined the cost-effectiveness of ECHO for HCV.

,4 the technique of ERCP was described in detail in 1970 by Japanese endoscopists working with the Olympus and Machida companies.5 By 1974, independent groups in Germany and Japan had selleck screening library described endoscopic sphincterotomy as a treatment for bile duct stones.6,7 Five years later, Soehendra and Reynders-Frederix8 described the use of endoscopic biliary stents for the management of biliary obstruction. Although fiberoptic colonoscopes were available in 1970, the procedure was thought to be technically difficult in a similar way to ERCP. Because of this, the widespread acceptance of colonoscopy

was relatively slow despite the introduction of endoscopic polypectomy and the demonstration of superior diagnostic results when compared to barium enema studies.9 The next major development occurred in 1983 when Welch Allyn Inc. inserted an image sensor or charge-coupled device into the distal tip of an endoscope.10 Light is still transmitted down the buy DMXAA endoscope through a fiberoptic bundle but the light falling on the charge-coupled device is converted into an array of electrical charges that are reconstructed on a video monitor. As solid-state sensors can only produce black and white images, modifications were required to reproduce the image in color. This was achieved by either the rapid sequential use of the primary colors, red, green

and blue, at the light source or by color-chip imaging where the solid-state sensor has colored microfilters bonded to its surface. By 1990, video endoscopy had largely replaced fiberoptic endoscopy, as the video image facilitated teaching and could be shared by other endoscopy staff. More recent developments include advances in EUS and the evolution of capsule endoscopy. Although the former was first described in 1976,11 EUS has had slow acceptance by gastroenterologists and even slower acceptance by non-gastroenterologists. 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 Reasons for this include

the relatively high cost of equipment, the necessity for prolonged training and debate as to whether EUS provides useful additional information when compared to CT or MRI. However, the diagnostic role of EUS has now been firmly established with good results from fine-needle aspiration and cytological evaluation.12 Endoscopy using a swallowed capsule was first reported in 2000 by an Israeli company, Given Imaging.13 A complementary metal oxide silicon sensor uses much less power but provides an image quality that is similar to those of charge-coupled devices. Other innovative features include white-light-emitting diode illumination and miniaturisation of a video transmitter using UHF-band radio-telemetry to aerials strapped around the waist. Thus far, the capsule has been widely used for small bowel endoscopy but there are several other potential applications. These and other milestones in the evolution of endoscopy are summarized in Table 1. The gastrointestinal tract is a long tube that measures approximately 9 m in length from mouth to anus.

,4 the technique of ERCP was described in detail in 1970 by Japanese endoscopists working with the Olympus and Machida companies.5 By 1974, independent groups in Germany and Japan had Atezolizumab in vivo described endoscopic sphincterotomy as a treatment for bile duct stones.6,7 Five years later, Soehendra and Reynders-Frederix8 described the use of endoscopic biliary stents for the management of biliary obstruction. Although fiberoptic colonoscopes were available in 1970, the procedure was thought to be technically difficult in a similar way to ERCP. Because of this, the widespread acceptance of colonoscopy

was relatively slow despite the introduction of endoscopic polypectomy and the demonstration of superior diagnostic results when compared to barium enema studies.9 The next major development occurred in 1983 when Welch Allyn Inc. inserted an image sensor or charge-coupled device into the distal tip of an endoscope.10 Light is still transmitted down the high throughput screening assay endoscope through a fiberoptic bundle but the light falling on the charge-coupled device is converted into an array of electrical charges that are reconstructed on a video monitor. As solid-state sensors can only produce black and white images, modifications were required to reproduce the image in color. This was achieved by either the rapid sequential use of the primary colors, red, green

and blue, at the light source or by color-chip imaging where the solid-state sensor has colored microfilters bonded to its surface. By 1990, video endoscopy had largely replaced fiberoptic endoscopy, as the video image facilitated teaching and could be shared by other endoscopy staff. More recent developments include advances in EUS and the evolution of capsule endoscopy. Although the former was first described in 1976,11 EUS has had slow acceptance by gastroenterologists and even slower acceptance by non-gastroenterologists. MCE公司 Reasons for this include

the relatively high cost of equipment, the necessity for prolonged training and debate as to whether EUS provides useful additional information when compared to CT or MRI. However, the diagnostic role of EUS has now been firmly established with good results from fine-needle aspiration and cytological evaluation.12 Endoscopy using a swallowed capsule was first reported in 2000 by an Israeli company, Given Imaging.13 A complementary metal oxide silicon sensor uses much less power but provides an image quality that is similar to those of charge-coupled devices. Other innovative features include white-light-emitting diode illumination and miniaturisation of a video transmitter using UHF-band radio-telemetry to aerials strapped around the waist. Thus far, the capsule has been widely used for small bowel endoscopy but there are several other potential applications. These and other milestones in the evolution of endoscopy are summarized in Table 1. The gastrointestinal tract is a long tube that measures approximately 9 m in length from mouth to anus.

Results: Of ninety (90) patients enrolled, 66 were male (73.3%) and 24 were female (26.7%); majority with chronic hepatitis B. Sixty (66.7%) of the 90 patients were found to have large EV. The distribution of large EV according to CTP classification was as follows: A, 63.16%; B, 62.8% and C, 75%. Large EV was independently associated with total bilirubin higher than 1.9 mg/dL (p = 0.010), INR higher than 1.65 (p = 0.018), click here and platelet count lower than 105,500/mm3 (p = 0.02). Platelet count lower

than 105,500/mm3 had the highest discriminative value for presence of large EV (sensitivity = 73.33%; specificity = 73.33%; area under receiver operating characteristics = 0.783). Conclusions: Large EV were found in 66.7% of patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent hospitalization. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the existence of thrombocytopenia may predict large EV which warrant prophylactic therapy. Key Word(s): 1. large esophageal varices; 2. liver cirrhosis; 3. platelets Presenting Author: Napabucasin LU CHIN HUANG Additional Authors: MING CHE LEE, YUNG HSIANG HSU Corresponding Author: LU CHIN HUANG Affiliations: Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital Objective: The patients who had simultaneous hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma was not frequent. In order to investigate the

manifestations of patients with hepatocholangiocarcinoma, we performed this retrospective study. Methods: From August 1986 to April 2014, the medchemexpress patients with diagnosis of hepatocholangiocarcinoma were included. The age,

gender, alpha fetoprorein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), HBsAg and anti-HCV was recorded. The size, location of tumor, treatment, follow up duration and survival status was recorded. Results: A total of 10 patients (M 8, F2) were included. The average age was 58.1 years (49–71). The AFP was 38414 ng/mL (5.3–382000 ng/mL, normal <8.1), CA 19-9 was 378 IU/mL (25–1632 IU/mL, normal <37). Hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection rate was 50%, 30%. The size of tumor was 6.7 cm (2–13 cm). The location of tumor was right lobe 50%, left lobe 30%, and both lobes 20%. The treatments included surgery (2), surgery plus chemotherapy (2), surgery plus radiotherapy (2), transarterial chemoembolization (1), chemotherapy (1), and supportive care (2). The follow up duration was 10.6 months (1 month-2.6 years). The 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year survival rate was 90%, 70%, and 55.6%. Conclusion: 1. Hepatocholangiocarcinoma was not a frequent disease. We collected 10 patients in the past 27 years. 2. The average age was 58.1 years. 3. The average AFP was 38414 ng/mL. 4. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection rate was 50%, 30%. 5. The 6 months, and 1 year survival rate was 70% and 55.6%, respectively. Key Word(s): 1. hepatocholangiocarcinoma; 2.

Results: Of ninety (90) patients enrolled, 66 were male (73.3%) and 24 were female (26.7%); majority with chronic hepatitis B. Sixty (66.7%) of the 90 patients were found to have large EV. The distribution of large EV according to CTP classification was as follows: A, 63.16%; B, 62.8% and C, 75%. Large EV was independently associated with total bilirubin higher than 1.9 mg/dL (p = 0.010), INR higher than 1.65 (p = 0.018), find more and platelet count lower than 105,500/mm3 (p = 0.02). Platelet count lower

than 105,500/mm3 had the highest discriminative value for presence of large EV (sensitivity = 73.33%; specificity = 73.33%; area under receiver operating characteristics = 0.783). Conclusions: Large EV were found in 66.7% of patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent hospitalization. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the existence of thrombocytopenia may predict large EV which warrant prophylactic therapy. Key Word(s): 1. large esophageal varices; 2. liver cirrhosis; 3. platelets Presenting Author: Selleck Cobimetinib LU CHIN HUANG Additional Authors: MING CHE LEE, YUNG HSIANG HSU Corresponding Author: LU CHIN HUANG Affiliations: Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital Objective: The patients who had simultaneous hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma was not frequent. In order to investigate the

manifestations of patients with hepatocholangiocarcinoma, we performed this retrospective study. Methods: From August 1986 to April 2014, the 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 patients with diagnosis of hepatocholangiocarcinoma were included. The age,

gender, alpha fetoprorein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), HBsAg and anti-HCV was recorded. The size, location of tumor, treatment, follow up duration and survival status was recorded. Results: A total of 10 patients (M 8, F2) were included. The average age was 58.1 years (49–71). The AFP was 38414 ng/mL (5.3–382000 ng/mL, normal <8.1), CA 19-9 was 378 IU/mL (25–1632 IU/mL, normal <37). Hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection rate was 50%, 30%. The size of tumor was 6.7 cm (2–13 cm). The location of tumor was right lobe 50%, left lobe 30%, and both lobes 20%. The treatments included surgery (2), surgery plus chemotherapy (2), surgery plus radiotherapy (2), transarterial chemoembolization (1), chemotherapy (1), and supportive care (2). The follow up duration was 10.6 months (1 month-2.6 years). The 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year survival rate was 90%, 70%, and 55.6%. Conclusion: 1. Hepatocholangiocarcinoma was not a frequent disease. We collected 10 patients in the past 27 years. 2. The average age was 58.1 years. 3. The average AFP was 38414 ng/mL. 4. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection rate was 50%, 30%. 5. The 6 months, and 1 year survival rate was 70% and 55.6%, respectively. Key Word(s): 1. hepatocholangiocarcinoma; 2.

Then, the patient went to local hospital visiting. Ultrasonic-b abdominal examination showed hepatocirrhosis and splenomegaly.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed esophageal varices and blood routine examination showed pancytopenia. Copy number of HBV-DNA was 1.93×105 cp/ml. The doctor diagnosed the patient as hepatocirrhosis after B hepatitis and gave his comprehensive liver-protecting therapy. However, no amelioration was found in clinical symptoms. So the patient came to our hospital. The patient denied hepatitis history but had a history of blood transfusion because of PD0325901 supplier surgical treatment of left upper arm trauma twenty years ago. After admission, physical examination revealed a temperature of 37°, a pulse rate of 104 beats per minute (bpm), a blood pressure of 146/94 mmHg, and a respiration rate of 18 breaths per minute. There was appearance of anemia, but no liver palms and spider angiomatas. Petechia and ecchymosis didn’t present

on skin all over the body. Superfacial lymph nodes were impalpable. Examination of the heart and lungs revealed no abnormal findings. Abdominal physical examination revealed megalosplenia. The initial laboratory workup was as follows: hemoglobin, 10.8 g/dL; white blood cells, 900/mm3 with a normal differential count; platelets, 42000/mm3; blood glucose, 5.7 mmol/L; PARP inhibitor blood urea, 4.8 mmol/L; creatinine, 76 μmol/L; SGOT, 28 IU/L; SGPT, 30 IU/L; LDH, 201 IU/L; total bilirubin, 11.6 μmol/L; direct bilirubin, 5.3 μmol/L; and Na+, 136 mmol/L; K+, 3.9 mmol/L; AFP 2.30 ng/mL, CEA 4.2 9 ng/mL,

CA199 52.28.5 U/mL, higher than normal. Fecal occult blood test was negative. Abdominal computed tomography showed hepatocirrhosis and splenomegaly. He refused bone marrow puncture and demanded partial splenic artery embolization. But laboratory workup was as follows in a month of postoperation: hemoglobin, 100 g/dL; white blood cells, 1100/mm3 with a normal differential count; platelets, 27000/mm3. Bone marrow puncture showed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Results: Hepatocirrhosis combined acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Conclusion: Hepatocirrhosis patients combining pancytopenia must do bone marrow puncture to exclude hematological diseases. Key Word(s): 1. Hepatocirrhosis; 2. B hepatitis; 3. pancytopenia; 4. acute leukemia; Presenting Author: LIUPING WEI MCE公司 Additional Authors: SHANYU QIN Corresponding Author: SHANYU QIN Affiliations: The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Objective: To explore the mechanism that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) paracrine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that effects on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and regulation of Rho pathway in vitro. Methods: In this study, cells were divided into the following four groups:○1the blank control group: primary HSCs cultured alone;○2the experimental groups: a.the control group: BMSCs + HSCs; b.HGF inhibitor group: primary HSCs treated with 3 μg/ml of PHA665752; c.

Then, the patient went to local hospital visiting. Ultrasonic-b abdominal examination showed hepatocirrhosis and splenomegaly.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed esophageal varices and blood routine examination showed pancytopenia. Copy number of HBV-DNA was 1.93×105 cp/ml. The doctor diagnosed the patient as hepatocirrhosis after B hepatitis and gave his comprehensive liver-protecting therapy. However, no amelioration was found in clinical symptoms. So the patient came to our hospital. The patient denied hepatitis history but had a history of blood transfusion because of www.selleckchem.com/products/Paclitaxel(Taxol).html surgical treatment of left upper arm trauma twenty years ago. After admission, physical examination revealed a temperature of 37°, a pulse rate of 104 beats per minute (bpm), a blood pressure of 146/94 mmHg, and a respiration rate of 18 breaths per minute. There was appearance of anemia, but no liver palms and spider angiomatas. Petechia and ecchymosis didn’t present

on skin all over the body. Superfacial lymph nodes were impalpable. Examination of the heart and lungs revealed no abnormal findings. Abdominal physical examination revealed megalosplenia. The initial laboratory workup was as follows: hemoglobin, 10.8 g/dL; white blood cells, 900/mm3 with a normal differential count; platelets, 42000/mm3; blood glucose, 5.7 mmol/L; Cisplatin nmr blood urea, 4.8 mmol/L; creatinine, 76 μmol/L; SGOT, 28 IU/L; SGPT, 30 IU/L; LDH, 201 IU/L; total bilirubin, 11.6 μmol/L; direct bilirubin, 5.3 μmol/L; and Na+, 136 mmol/L; K+, 3.9 mmol/L; AFP 2.30 ng/mL, CEA 4.2 9 ng/mL,

CA199 52.28.5 U/mL, higher than normal. Fecal occult blood test was negative. Abdominal computed tomography showed hepatocirrhosis and splenomegaly. He refused bone marrow puncture and demanded partial splenic artery embolization. But laboratory workup was as follows in a month of postoperation: hemoglobin, 100 g/dL; white blood cells, 1100/mm3 with a normal differential count; platelets, 27000/mm3. Bone marrow puncture showed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Results: Hepatocirrhosis combined acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Conclusion: Hepatocirrhosis patients combining pancytopenia must do bone marrow puncture to exclude hematological diseases. Key Word(s): 1. Hepatocirrhosis; 2. B hepatitis; 3. pancytopenia; 4. acute leukemia; Presenting Author: LIUPING WEI medchemexpress Additional Authors: SHANYU QIN Corresponding Author: SHANYU QIN Affiliations: The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Objective: To explore the mechanism that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) paracrine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that effects on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and regulation of Rho pathway in vitro. Methods: In this study, cells were divided into the following four groups:○1the blank control group: primary HSCs cultured alone;○2the experimental groups: a.the control group: BMSCs + HSCs; b.HGF inhibitor group: primary HSCs treated with 3 μg/ml of PHA665752; c.

When recurrence was observed, appropriate treatment was performed immediately. selleck compound Intrahepatic HCC recurrence was classified as either tumor recurrence at a site distant from the primary tumor or adjacent to the treated site (local tumor progression). Extrahepatic comorbidities were defined as diseases which needed to be followed up and treated before RFA. Major complications were defined as those that, if left untreated, might threaten the patient’s life, lead to substantial morbidity and disability or result in hospital admission or substantially lengthen the hospital stay after RFA, according to the previously

described guidelines.20 All the other complications were defined as minor. We compared the complication rates per treatment in

elderly patients with those in non-elderly patients. Comparisons of characteristics were made using the unpaired LBH589 Student’s t-test for continuous variables and the χ2-test for categorical variables. Recurrence rates and survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method from the time of initial RFA and compared between groups using the log–rank test. Prognostic relevance of the 10 baseline variables to survival was analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results of univariate or multivariate analyses are presented as relative risks with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), with P-values from the Wald test. All significance tests were two-tailed and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The clinical profiles of patients, divided into groups of elderly patients (age ≥75 years) and non-elderly patients (age <75 years), are shown in Table 1. In the elderly group, the proportion of women was significantly higher compared with that in the non-elderly group (47.1% vs 31.2%, respectively;

P < 0.001). Concerning extrahepatic comorbidities before RFA, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke history, cardiac dysfunction or arrhythmia were not significantly different between the two groups, however, chronic pulmonary diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma) and renal dysfunction were more frequent in the elderly group compared medchemexpress with the non-elderly group. Patients with habitual alcohol consumption was greater in the non-elderly group compared with the elderly group (P < 0.001). Hepatitis C virus antibody positive patients were more frequent in the elderly group, compared with the non-elderly group (P = 0.026). Child–Pugh grade status was not different between the two groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels in the elderly group were significantly lower than those in the non-elderly group. There was no difference between the two groups in the distribution of tumor markers, tumor characteristics and executing rates of TACE before RFA.