Background. In the last decade, the understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has significantly deepened, based on the results of new clinical studies some diagnostic issues have been revised and immunosuppressive therapy regimens have been optimized.Materials and methods. The latest Russian clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AIH were presented in 2013; and in 2017, the first Russian agreement on the diagnosis and treatment of AIH was held. Updating approaches to the management of patients with AIH necessitated next systematization for use in clinical practice. In February 2024, the final session was held to discuss the provisions of the second agreement on the diagnosis and treatment of AIH.Results. This publication presents the main discussion points of the agreement regarding methods and algorithms for detecting autoantibodies, the role of liver biopsy, revised morphological criteria for AIH, optimized immunosuppressive therapy regimens, updated criteria for assessing the response to therapy.Conclusions. The agreement was the result of the work of a group of experts on the diagnosis and treatment of AIH and represents the basis for the creation of updated federal clinical guidelines.

Aim: localization of the new nomenclature of steatotic liver disease in Russian clinical practice.Key points. In 2023, international consensus decided to introduce a new nomenclature for steatotic liver disease. The article discusses the reasons for the change in nomenclature and the new terms adopted: steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction and alcohol associated steatotic liver disease. Adapting new terms to Russian healthcare poses a certain problem. The results of voting by Russian doctors on the introduction of new terms and their optimal translation are presented. A comparison of existing classifiers with new terms was carried out and the formulation of diagnoses was discussed taking into account the new nomenclature.Conclusions. Adaptation and implementation of new nomenclature into clinical practice is an important and complex task, in which it is necessary to maintain a balance between a progressive concept and the interests of practical healthcare.

The aim of the study. To analyze the course of COVID-19 infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Materials and methods. In a single-center retrospective study, survey and analysis of medical records of 144 patients with PBC was carried out.Results. All patients (n = 144) received basic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 5 of them received fibrates as well. Response to therapy (EASL criteria) was obtained in 30 people. Between March 2020 and March 2021, 50 patients (34.7 %) suffered COVID-19, with mean age of 58.8 ± 10.7 years, 16 of which were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Mild COVID-19 was observed in 34 (68 %) people, moderate course — in 14 (28 %), severe — in 2 (4 %), cases of extremely severe course were not recorded. 12 patients were hospitalized, 8 of which received oxygen therapy due to a decrease in SpO2 < 94 %, there was no need for the use of other methods of oxygen therapy in any case. The duration of hospitalization was 11.4 ± 5.7 days. There was a higher initial activity of serum alkaline phosphatase (1.8 ± 1.0 versus 1.7 ± 1.4 times of the upper limit of normal, M ± SD, p = 0.04) in patients with COVID-19 infection and lack of UDCA therapy effectiveness was more prominent (40 % vs. 19.1 % of cases, p = 0.04) compared with patients who did not have COVID-19. There were no significant differences in characteristics of the course of PBC (stage, response to therapy) and age in correlation with severity of the course of COVID-19. Among hospitalized patients and those in need of oxygen support, large proportion were older patients (58.3 % and 62.5 %, respectively) and patients with concomitant diseases (62.5 % and 75 %, respectively). Patients who hadn`t previously responded to UDCA therapy were more likely to require oxygen support compared to patients responding to basic therapy (p < 0.01).Conclusion. PBC is not a risk factor for severe COVID-19. A protective effect of UDCA in SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible, which requires further investigation.

Aim. Тo study cardiometabolic factors and the PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409 C>G) gene polymorphism in association with the compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) in patients with metabolic dysfunction­associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).Materials and methods. А retrospective cross­sectional study was conducted. The total of 108 patients with MASLD (33 men and 75 women aged 28 to 89 years) involved were divided into two groups based on results of transient elastography: group 1 – with the presence of cACLD (liver stiffness ≥ 8.0 kPa) – 18 patients and group 2 – without cACLD (<8.0 kPa) – 90 patients. Cardiometabolic risk factors and the PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409 C>G) gene polymorphism were studied in both groups. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and a logistic regression model was constructed for the detection of cACLD.Results. Compared to group 2, patients with cACLD had statistically significant higher prevalence of: arterial hypertension (p < 0.05), type 2 diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01), obesity (p < 0.05), dyslipidemia (p < 0.05), and PNPLA3 gene polymorphism (p < 0.05). The OR for cACLD in individuals with arterial hypertension was 5.58 (95% CI: 1.21– 25.71; p < 0.05), with type 2 diabetes mellitus – 4.58 (95% CI: 1.59–13.21; p < 0.01), with obesity – 3.83 (95% CI: 1.17– 12.52; p < 0.05), with dyslipidemia – 6.12 (95% CI: 1.33–28.20; p < 0.05), in the presence of a polymorphic variant of the PNPLA3 gene in a hetero or homozygous state – 3.9 (95% CI: 1.28–11.89; p < 0.05). The binary logistic regression model for detecting cACLD included type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and waist circumference. The area under the ROC curve was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.70–0.92), sensitivity was 72.2%, specificity was 74.4%, and accuracy was 84.3%.Conclusion. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and waist circumference are the determining factors for the development of cACLD in patients with MASLD. The PNPLA3 I148M gene polymorphism does not play a leading role in the development of progressive MASLD in the study cohort.

Aim. Estimation of the liver steatosis and fibrosis incidence with transient elastography and the controlled attenuation parameter in residents of St. Petersburg.Materials and methods. A prospective open single-centre population study included history, anthropometric and laboratory data on 318 outpatients aged 24—89 years (mean age 52.6 ± 14.6 years). The degrees of steatosis (assessed with the controlled attenuation parameter as ultrasound amplitude dropdown quantification in liver) and fibrosis were determined with a Fibroscan 502 Touch unit (Echosens, France).Results. Hepatic steatosis of predominantly high degree was revealed in 44.7%, combined fibrosis and steatosis — in 28%; isolated fibrosis of various stage — in 2.5%, no structural changes — in 24.8% individuals. The growth of body mass index and waist circumference significantly correlated in women with pronounced liver changes. Serum transaminase activity increased with more severe liver changes, being statistically significant for aspartic transaminase only.Conclusion. A high incidence of primary liver steatosis and fibrosis in residents of St. Petersburg warrants improved diagnostic algorithms and routine preventive measures. Transient elastography with the controlled attenuation parameter estimation provides a convenient non-invasive screening for hepatic fibrosis and steatosis.

The objective of the study is to identify the clinical features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in elderly and senile patients in St. Petersburg. A retrospective analysis of medical charts of 208 patients with IBD over 60 years old has been carried out. Sixty percent of the patients had ulcerative colitis (UC), and forty percent had Crohn's disease (CD). The control group consisted of 867 patients aged up to 60 years (524 patients with UC, 60.4%, and 343 patients with CD, 29.6%). Concomitant cardiovascular and broncho-pulmonary diseases, diseases of bones and joints, pathology of the kidneys and urinary tract, and pathology of the liver were detected in 87, 25, 35, 26.5, and 44% of patients. The onset and recurrence of IBD were often accompanied (33.6%) by a deterioration in the course of somatic pathology (versus 8.7% in other age groups of patients). The period from the first signs of the disease to verification of the IBD diagnosis in older patients was longer than in young and middle-aged patients. Distal localization of the pathological process (proctitis and left-sided colitis) prevailed among patients with UC, and the inflammatory form of the disease dominated in patients with CD.

Introduction . The increase in serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and the persistence of their high values is associated with morbidity and mortality from liver diseases. Bicyclol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which formed the basis for this study. Materials and methods . The study enrolled 51 patients (MELD < 19); hepatitis stage – 84.4%, cirrhosis – 15.6%. Treatment: Bicyclol 75 mg/day for 12 weeks. Criteria of efficacy: dynamics of ALT, AST, CRP; general well-being (D-FIS scale). Results . After 4 weeks of treatment the share of patients with ALT normalization was 50,9% (p < 0,001); with AST normalization – 62.7% (p < 0.001); after 12 weeks - 79,5% and 89,7% respectively (p < 0,001). CRP decreased statistically significantly after 2 and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. The D-FIS questionnaire was filled in by 36 patients at the beginning of the study, in 4 weeks - by 35 patients, in 12 weeks – by 32 patients. Median D-FIS decreased from 12 (8.2; 32.2) to 8 (5; 29) points (p < 0,001) after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks – to 6.5 (3; 28.5) points (p < 0.001). The CRP was positively correlated with the D-FIS value. Fibrosis (“Fibromax”, “Fibroscan”) was studied in 10 additional patients, the dose of Bicyclol was 150/75 mg/day during 6 months, the result was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion . Application of Bicyclol leads to reduction of fatigue, local and systemic inflammation, fibrosis in chronic diffuse liver diseases regardless of etiology.

Introduction. The increase in serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and the persistence of their high values is associated with morbidity and mortality from liver diseases. Bicyclol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which formed the basis for this study.Materials and methods. The study enrolled 51 patients (MELD < 19); hepatitis stage – 84.4%, cirrhosis – 15.6%. Treatment: Bicyclol 75 mg/day for 12 weeks. Criteria of efficacy: dynamics of ALT, AST, CRP; general well-being (D-FIS scale).Results. After 4 weeks of treatment the share of patients with ALT normalization was 50,9% (p < 0,001); with AST normalization – 62.7% (p < 0.001); after 12 weeks - 79,5% and 89,7% respectively (p < 0,001). CRP decreased statistically significantly after 2 and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. The D-FIS questionnaire was filled in by 36 patients at the beginning of the study, in 4 weeks - by 35 patients, in 12 weeks – by 32 patients. Median D-FIS decreased from 12 (8.2; 32.2) to 8 (5; 29) points (p < 0,001) after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks – to 6.5 (3; 28.5) points (p < 0.001). The CRP was positively correlated with the D-FIS value. Fibrosis (“Fibromax”, “Fibroscan”) was studied in 10 additional patients, the dose of Bicyclol was 150/75 mg/day during 6 months, the result was statistically significant (p < 0.001).Conclusion. Application of Bicyclol leads to reduction of fatigue, local and systemic inflammation, fibrosis in chronic diffuse liver diseases regardless of etiology.

Несмотря на несомненные успехи, достигнутые в понимании этиологии и патогенеза аутоиммунных заболеваний печени, остается еще множество нерешенных вопросов. Актуальной проблемой современной медицины являются нарушения костного обмена у данной категории больных. Поздняя диагностика этих осложнений, часто на стадии тяжелого остеопороза с развитием инвалидизирующих переломов, определяет отсутствие своевременного начала терапии, потерю трудоспособности и сложность социальной реабилитации больных, ухудшая прогноз выживаемости.

To evaluate the effect of diet on the development of hepatic osteodystrophy in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.In 24 women with PBC, including signs of autoimmune hepatitis (PBC/AIH)--9 persons and 19 women in the control group were analyzed the daily diet, body composition, as well as bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femur by dual-energy X-ray adsorbtsiometrii (DEXA).In PBC incidence of osteoporosis and severe osteoporosis was 22.7% and 9.1%, respectively, and osteopenia--59.1%, with a lesion predominantly lumbar spine. Inadequate intake of calcium in patients with PBC is associated with lower density of the femur. The high protein content in the diet has a protective effect on bone mineral density, associating with the development of osteopenia.