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The safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in the treatment of refractory cholestatic pruritus: a multicentre European study

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Vinod Hegade, Professor David Jones

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Abstract

BackgroundPruritus is a common symptom associated with cholestatic liver diseases. To date only small single centre case series have suggested efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in relieving cholestatic pruritus.AimTo perform a multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in cholestatic pruritus.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of all patients treated with nasobiliary drainage for refractory cholestatic pruritus between 2006 and 2015 at five European centres. Pruritus was quantified using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and liver enzymes, serum bilirubin and total serum bile salts (TBS) were measured before (pre-NBD) and after nasobiliary drainage (post-NBD). We analysed the duration of treatment response and associated complications.ResultsIn total, 27 patients (59% females) underwent 29 nasobiliary drainage procedures. The median duration of NBD was 7 days. NBD decreased pruritus in 89.6% of cases (VAS from 10.0 to 0.3, P < 0.0001). The median percentage decline in pruritus VAS was 94% and 33% of patients were free of pruritus within 24 h of starting drainage. The duration of treatment response was independent of duration of drainage (P = 0.12) and bile output. Significant improvements were seen in the median levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin (P = 0.03) but not in serum TBS (P = 0.07). Mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (31%) was the most frequent complication.ConclusionsNasobiliary drainage is effective in relieving cholestatic pruritus in most patients and has favourable effect on biomarkers of cholestasis. Nasobiliary drainage may be associated with high risk of adverse events, especially pancreatitis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Hegade VS, Krawczyk M, Kremer AE, Kuczka J, Gaouar F, Kuiper EMM, van Buuren HR, Lammert F, Corpechot C, Jones DEJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Year: 2016

Volume: 43

Issue: 2

Pages: 294-302

Print publication date: 01/01/2016

Online publication date: 02/11/2015

Acceptance date: 07/10/2015

ISSN (print): 0269-2813

ISSN (electronic): 1365-2036

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apt.13449

DOI: 10.1111/apt.13449

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