CLDF Podcast

Chronic Liver Disease Foundation
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The official podcast channel for the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation.

  1. Sep 24

    Viral Hepatitis Guideline Update

    Explore the evolving management of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) with Drs. Ira Jacobson, Paul Martin, and Robert Gish in the first installment of the What’s New in Hepatitis B series. This case-based discussion reviews hepatitis B treatment guidelines, comparing published recommendations with the panel’s perspectives on antiviral treatment eligibility, HBV DNA and ALT thresholds, and managing patients with high viral loads and normal liver enzymes or indeterminate-phase disease. The experts also address shared decision-making and the importance of considering stigma, quality of life, and patient preferences when discussing treatment. Additional topics include low-level viremia, quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing, emerging approaches to functional cure, and considerations for discontinuing antiviral therapy in selected patients. The conversation concludes with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, including monitoring after HBsAg loss and the challenges of applying age-based screening recommendations to individual patients. Gain practical perspectives on hepatitis B risk assessment, treatment decisions, and patient-centered care through expert discussion of complex clinical cases.

  2. Sep 22

    Linerixibat Medication Review

    Christina Hanson, FNP, and Dr. Marcelo Kugelmas of South Denver Gastroenterology review linerixibat, an ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor, and its role in managing cholestatic pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This medication review podcast explores how blocking bile acid reabsorption in the ileum targets a pathway involved in persistent itching. The discussion covers the phase 2 GLIMMER study and phase 3 GLISTEN trial, including findings on itch reduction, sleep interference, and treatment response in patients with moderate to severe pruritus. The speakers also examine safety and tolerability considerations, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, elevated liver enzymes, and treatment discontinuation. Additional topics include preliminary results from the linerixibat long-term safety and tolerability study (LLSAT), maintenance of itch relief, and the need for further research on combining linerixibat with PPAR agonists. Designed for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other gastroenterology and hepatology professionals, this episode offers a clinical perspective on IBAT inhibitor therapy, persistent PBC-related itching, and the balance between symptom improvement and treatment tolerability. Clarifications and context within the video 👇 Linerixibat, an IBAT inhibitor, is the first FDA approved treatment for cholestatic pruritus in adults with PBC.WI-NRS is used to assess itch severity on a scale of 0-10.At 6:43, correction regarding the diagnosis of cirrhosis: It was 10% in the placebo group and 11% in the linerixibat group.At 10:24, the primary endpoints of the LLSAT study are frequency and severity of adverse events.At 11:20, the LLSAT mean WI-NRS reduction of 4.87 is for patients assigned to linerixibat in GLISTEN Part A and Part B after 52 weeks of continuous treatment.

  3. Sep 15

    Managing Fatigue and Pruritus in Your Patients With PBC

    How can clinicians better recognize and manage itching and fatigue in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)? In this podcast, hepatology clinicians from RUSH University Medical Center discuss the impact of PBC-related pruritus and fatigue on sleep, daily activities, and quality of life. The conversation explores proactive symptom screening, assessing itch severity, and individualizing treatment with options such as cholestyramine, PPAR therapies, rifampin, and sertraline. The speakers discuss how their treatment approaches have evolved and why ongoing communication helps identify when symptom management needs to change. For patients experiencing PBC fatigue, they address evaluating contributing factors such as thyroid dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency, and anemia, along with sleep hygiene, exercise, and realistic expectations for treatment. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize that symptom severity does not necessarily reflect liver disease progression or biochemical response. This episode highlights the importance of looking beyond liver tests, validating patients’ experiences, and encouraging patient advocacy and support networks as part of comprehensive PBC care.

  4. Jun 3

    Optimizing Clinical Pathways to Achieve Functional Cure in CHB

    In this educational podcast, Paul Kwo, MD discusses how the goals of hepatitis B treatment are changing and what the future may look like for people living with chronic hepatitis B. While current medications do an excellent job of controlling the virus, most patients still need to stay on treatment long term. Dr. Kwo explains the growing focus on achieving a “functional cure,” which means losing the hepatitis B surface antigen—a key milestone that may allow some patients to eventually stop treatment and further reduce their risk of serious liver complications. Throughout the presentation, Dr. Kwo reviews the benefits of today's hepatitis B therapies, including their ability to keep the virus under control and lower the risk of liver damage. He also discusses why achieving a functional cure is important, not only for reducing the risk of liver cancer but also for improving quality of life and helping patients feel less burdened by their disease. The video also explores new treatment approaches being studied, how healthcare providers monitor patients over time, and what factors may help identify people who could benefit from future therapies. As hepatitis B research continues to advance, Dr. Kwo shares his perspective on how these developments may bring patients closer than ever to achieving long-term disease control and, potentially, a functional cure.

  5. May 12

    Insights From 2025 EASL & AASLD Chronic Hepatitis B Guidelines

    Dr. Anthony Martinez, Medical Director of Hepatology at the University at Buffalo and Erie County Medical Center, discusses the evolving landscape of chronic hepatitis B management and the shift from viral suppression to precision immune control. In this expert overview, he highlights the latest 2025 AASLD and EASL guideline updates and explains how quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) testing is changing treatment decisions, particularly for hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients. This discussion explores when clinicians may consider stopping nucleos(t)ide analog therapy, the importance of the ≤100 IU/mL qHBsAg threshold, and why treatment discontinuation should never be considered in patients with cirrhosis or unreliable follow-up. Dr. Martinez also reviews how qHBsAg trends can help personalize monitoring, HCC surveillance, and treatment timing while supporting the pursuit of functional cure. Using a real-world clinical scenario, he examines emerging strategies aimed at antigen reduction, including PEG interferon add-on therapy and novel functional cure approaches. This video is ideal for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and advanced practice providers looking to stay current on modern hepatitis B management, functional cure strategies, and the growing role of immune-informed decision-making.

  6. May 6

    Navigating Non-Adherence and Compliance in Wilson's Disease

    In this expert discussion presented in collaboration with the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation, Amanda Cheung, MD, transplant hepatologist at Northwestern Medicine, and Peter Hedera, MD, neurologist and medical geneticist at University of Louisville, explore the complex challenges of medication adherence and long-term compliance in patients with Wilson disease. This educational conversation reviews the lifelong management of Wilson disease, highlighting how both neurologic and hepatic manifestations can significantly impact quality of life, daily functioning, and long-term outcomes. The discussion examines common neurologic symptoms including tremor, dystonia, ataxia, and parkinsonism, as well as hepatic complications ranging from asymptomatic liver enzyme elevations to cirrhosis and acute liver failure. Experts also discuss how Wilson disease can mimic other conditions such as fatty liver disease, contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Throughout the discussion, the faculty address the real-world barriers that affect adherence to Wilson disease therapies, including lifelong treatment burden, complex dosing schedules, food restrictions, medication side effects, cost and insurance challenges, and the transition from pediatric to adult care. The conversation also reviews currently available chelation therapies such as penicillamine and trientine, the role of zinc maintenance therapy, and emerging treatment strategies aimed at improving convenience and patient compliance. Additional insights include the importance of multidisciplinary care teams, patient education, shared decision-making, pharmacy support programs, psychiatric care, and social work involvement in optimizing long-term disease management. This video provides valuable clinical pearls for hepatologists, neurologists, advanced practice providers, and healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with Wilson disease.

  7. Apr 22

    Complications of Cirrhosis: The Basics

    In this high-level hepatology update from the 6th Annual Liver Connect Conference, Sujit Janardhan, MD, PhD, provides an overview of how the understanding and management of cirrhosis and portal hypertension are evolving in 2026. The discussion focuses on the big-picture shifts in the field, including earlier identification of patients at risk, updated definitions of disease progression, and how these changes are influencing overall treatment approaches. Rather than focusing on individual therapies in depth, this session highlights how clinicians are thinking differently about preventing complications, improving long-term outcomes, and using newer, less invasive tools to guide decision-making. It also touches on the broader impact of complications like liver failure, fluid buildup, and cognitive changes, while reinforcing the importance of proactive management and patient-centered care. This overview is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to stay current on the direction of hepatology and the evolving strategies shaping chronic liver disease management.

  8. Apr 22

    TIPS Procedure: Identifying Candidates and Minimizing Risk

    This educational podcast from the 6th Liver Connect meeting provides a comprehensive overview of the TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedure, focusing on patient selection, risk stratification, and evolving techniques to improve outcomes in patients with advanced liver disease. The discussion highlights key indications for TIPS, including recurrent or high-risk variceal bleeding, refractory or recurrent ascites, and select cases of portal vein thrombosis or hepatic venous outflow obstruction such as Budd-Chiari syndrome. Learn how early TIPS intervention can reduce rebleeding risk and improve survival in high-risk patients, as well as when TIPS should be used as salvage therapy or secondary prophylaxis. The episode also explores the importance of frailty assessment, MELD 3.0 scoring, and sarcopenia evaluation in predicting post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy, along with strategies to optimize patients before the procedure. Additionally, it reviews absolute contraindications such as heart failure, severe pulmonary hypertension, and uncontrolled infection, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary decision-making. Finally, emerging data on smaller stent diameters (6–8 mm) are discussed, demonstrating how these innovations may reduce complications while maintaining effective portal decompression. This episode is essential for clinicians managing portal hypertension, cirrhosis complications, and liver transplant candidates.

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About

The official podcast channel for the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation.

Information

  • Creator
    Chronic Liver Disease Foundation
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 CLDF Podcast
  • Show Website
    CLDF Podcast

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