Beta-Blockers May Reduce Mortality in Patients with Gastric Varices
FROM GASTRO HEP ADVANCES
, according to investigators.
In a real-world dataset of patients with gastric varices, NSBBs were associated with a 38% reduced mortality rate, supporting the common belief that protective effects extend across different types of varices, lead author Rebecca H. Moon, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, and colleagues, reported.
“Overall, numerous randomized trials have established NSBB efficacy in primary and secondary prevention of esophageal variceal hemorrhage,” the investigators wrote in Gastro Hep Advances. “While these benefits are presumed to extend to gastric varices, empirical data on NSBB efficacy in gastric varices management remain scarce.”
To address this knowledge gap, Moon and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,276 adults (aged 18-75 years) diagnosed with gastric varices between 2015 and 2021 within the Kaiser Permanente Southern California system.
Patients were followed through February 2022. Those with splenectomy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) performed outside the system, or use of more than one type of NSBB were excluded. NSBB exposure was defined as therapy initiated within 1 year before or after variceal diagnosis.
Outcomes included gastric and esophageal variceal hemorrhage, TIPS, liver transplantation, and mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare NSBB users with nonusers and to assess individual effects of different NSBBs while adjusting for baseline characteristics.
The study population had a mean age of 58 years with a male predominance (63%). Approximately half (48%) of the patients were Hispanic. Common comorbidities included hypertension (66%), obesity (49%), and type 2 diabetes (45%). More than half of the patients (52.6%) had coexisting esophageal varices, 38% had ascites, and 22% had a history of hepatic encephalopathy.
In total, 767 patients (62%) received an NSBB. Propranolol and nadolol were most commonly prescribed, while carvedilol use was rare. Median follow-up was 1.1 years.
Overall, 40% of patients died during the study period. Mortality was significantly lower among NSBB users compared with nonusers (39.2% vs 50.9%), corresponding to a 38% reduced risk (odds ratio [OR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46–0.84). Nadolol was associated with the lowest mortality risk (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38–0.79), followed by propranolol (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.50–1.00). Carvedilol use was too infrequent for meaningful analysis.
Rates of gastric variceal hemorrhage (7%), esophageal variceal hemorrhage (22%), TIPS (4%), and liver transplantation (5%) did not differ significantly between NSBB and non-NSBB groups.
“The observed reduction in mortality among NSBB users, particularly those on nadolol, suggests a potential survival benefit,” the investigators wrote. “However, the lack of statistically significant differences in other clinical outcomes, including gastric variceal hemorrhage, esophageal variceal hemorrhage, TIPS, and liver transplantation, indicates that the primary benefit of NSBBs in gastric varices management may be limited to mortality reduction rather than prevention of other complications.”
Moon and colleagues went on to call for additional research.
“Further prospective studies are needed to elucidate the effects of NSBBs on gastric varices and to refine treatment strategies for this high-risk population,” they wrote. “Given the substantial mortality associated with gastric variceal hemorrhage, continued research into novel therapeutic approaches is essential to improving outcomes for patients with gastric varices.”
Publication costs were covered by Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Education and Research. The investigators disclosed no conflicts of interest.