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While many hospitalized patients have orders to fast in preparation for interventions, the extent to which these orders are necessary or adhere to evidence‐based durations is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the length, indication, and associated outcomes of nil per os (NPO) orders for general medicine patients at an academic institution in the United States, and compared them to the best available evidence for recommended length of NPO. Of 924 NPO orders assessed, the indicated intervention was not performed for 183 (19.8%) orders, largely due to a change in plan (75/183, 41.0%) or scheduling barriers (43/183, 23.5%). When analyzed by indication, the median duration of NPO orders ranged from 8.3 hours for kidney ultrasound to 13.9 hours for upper endoscopy. For some indications, the literature suggested NPO orders may be unnecessary. Furthermore, in indications for which NPO was deemed necessary in the literature, the duration of most NPO orders was much longer than minimally required. These results suggest the need for establishing more robust practice guidelines or institutional protocols for NPO orders.

Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection. Patients with H. pylori infection may be at an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Several epidemiologic studies attempting to determine this risk have yielded inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence and estimate the risk of NAFLD in patients with H. pylori infection. Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to June 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection versus without H. pylori infection were included. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results: Six studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in this analysis. We found a statistically significant increased risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection with the pooled odds ratios of 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.37). The statistical heterogeneity was low with an I 2 of 49%. Conclusions: A significantly increased risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection was demonstrated in this meta-analysis. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in clinical practice.

Abstract Background The association between hyperuricaemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ), one of the leading causes of cirrhosis worldwide, has been demonstrated in recent epidemiological studies. This meta‐analysis was conducted to summarize all available data and to estimate the risk of NAFLD among subjects with hyperuricaemia. Methods Comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE database through August 2016 to identify studies that compared the risk of NAFLD among subjects with hyperuricaemia vs those with normal uric acid level. Effect estimates from individual study were extracted and combined together using random‐effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results Twenty‐five studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. The risk of NAFLD in subjects with hyperuricaemia was significantly higher than subjects with normal uric acid level with the pooled odds ratio ( OR ) of 1.97 (95% confidence interval ( CI ), 1.69‐2.29). The heterogeneity between studies of the overall analysis was high with an I 2 of 87%. Subgroup analysis based on 11 studies that provided data on males subgroup and nine studies that provided data on females subgroup showed that the risk was significantly increased for both sexes with pooled OR of 1.64 (95% CI , 1.40‐1.93) among males and pooled OR of 2.21 (95% CI , 1.85‐2.64) among females. Conclusions A significantly increased risk of NAFLD among patients with hyperuricaemia was demonstrated in this meta‐analysis. Further studies are required to establish the role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of NAFLD .

Background/objectives Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide public health concern. Coffee might have a protective effect against NAFLD. However, the results of previous reports are conflicting. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to summarize all available data. Methods This study consisted of two meta-analyses. The first meta-analysis included observational studies comparing the risk of NAFLD in patients who did and did not drink coffee. The second analysis included studies comparing the risk of liver fibrosis between NAFLD patients who did and did not drink coffee. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results Out of 355 articles, five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The risk of NAFLD in patients who drank coffee was significantly lower than that in patients who did not pooled RR 0.71 (95% CI, 0.60–0.85). We also found a significantly decreased risk of liver fibrosis among NAFLD patients who drank coffee compared with those who did not, with a pooled RR of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.60–0.82). However, it should be noted that the definition of regular coffee consumption varied between studies, which is the main limitation of this meta-analysis. Conclusion Our study found a significantly decreased risk of NAFLD among coffee drinkers and significantly decreased risk of liver fibrosis among patients with NAFLD who drank coffee on a regular basis. Whether consumption of coffee could be considered a preventative measure against NAFLD needs further investigations.

Background/objectives Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis. Several studies have linked caffeine consumption to a lower degree of liver fibrosis and inflammation among patients with chronic HCV infection, but the results were inconsistent. This meta-analysis was carried out with the aim of assessing the impact of caffeine consumption among HCV-infected patients. Participants and methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to January 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of advanced liver fibrosis or the risk of moderate to severe liver inflammation among HCV-infected patients who consumed caffeine on a regular basis versus those who did not were included. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse-variance method. Results Five studies were included in the fibrosis analysis. The pooled OR of advanced liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients who consumed caffeine on a regular basis versus those who did not was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.30–0.76, I 2=52%). Three studies were included in the inflammation analysis. The pooled OR of moderate to severe histologic inflammation among HCV-infected patients who consumed caffeine on a regular basis versus those who did not was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.35–1.04, I 2=43%). Conclusion Our study showed a decreased risk of advanced liver fibrosis and liver inflammation among HCV-infected patients who consumed caffeine on a regular basis. Whether consumption of caffeine plays a role in the management of HCV infection requires further investigations.

Background/objectives Gallstone disease and its complications are common, particularly in Western populations. Recent studies have reported a significantly increased risk of gallstones among hepatitis C virus-infected patients. However, the data on patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are still limited. This meta-analysis was carried out with the aim of summarizing all available evidence. Patients and methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and the EMBASE database from inception to May 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of gallstones among HBV-infected patients versus patients without HBV infection were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse-variance method. Results Nine studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. We found no significant association between HBV infection and the risk of gallstones, with a pooled OR of 1.10 (95% CI, 0.91–1.33). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate, with an I 2 of 69%. Subgroup analysis was carried out. The pooled OR of cross-sectional studies was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.91–1.12; I 2 0%), whereas the pooled OR of case–control studies was 1.53 (95% CI, 0.85–2.74; I 2 80%). Conclusion A significant association between HBV infection and the risk of gallstones was not observed in this study.

AbstractObjectiveThe risk of hypertension in adults who regularly take a nap is controversial. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to assess the associations between napping and hypertension.MethodsA literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMbase and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through October, 2015. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risk of hypertension in individuals who regularly take nap were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random‐effect, generic inverse variance method.ResultsNine observational studies with 112,267 individuals were included in the analysis to assess the risk of hypertension in nappers. The pooled RR of hypertension in nappers was 1.13 with 95% CI (0.98 to 1.30). When meta‐analysis was limited only to studies assessing the risk of hypertension in daytime nappers, the pooled RR of hypertension was 1.19 with 95% CI (1.06 to 1.35). The data on association between nighttime napping in individuals who work night shift and hypertension were limited, only one observational study reported reduced risk of hypertension in nighttime nappers with odds ratio of 0.79 with 95% CI (0.63 to 1.00).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis demonstrates a significant association between daytime napping and hypertension. Future study is needed to assess the potential benefits of HTN screening for daytime nappers.