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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adult, Aged, Cyclooxygenase 2, Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors, Disease Progression, Female, Hepatitis, Chronic, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Liver Cirrhosis, Male, Middle Aged.
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Is increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 associated with the progression to cirrhosis? Context: To investigate the degree of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. COX-2 protein expression was evaluated in 43 cases of chronic hepatitis and 24 cases of cirrhosis using immunohistochemical techniques. The COX-2 immunohistochemical staining score was assessed using the scoring systems of Pazirandeh et al and Qiu et al. and each scoring system was based on a sum of the parameters of staining intensity and distribution. The mean COX-2 expression scores in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 2.5 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 1.1 (p = 0.008), and 3.2 ± 2.0 vs. 4.5 ± 1.7 (p = 0.006), respectively, based on the Pazirandeh et al. and Qiu et al. scoring systems. The percentage samples of high COX-2 expression score (4 to 5) in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 16.3% vs. 45.8% (p = 0.022), and 23.3% vs. 50% (p = 0.021), respectively, based on the two scoring systems. The mean COX-2 expression scores based on the severity of hepatic fibrosis scored using Ishak's modified staging system (fibrosis score 0 to 3 vs. 4 to 6) were 2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 (p = 0.009), and 3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.3 ± 1.8 (p = 0.009), respectively, based on the two scoring systems.
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COX-2 expression was significantly higher in liver cirrhosis group than in chronic hepatitis. COX-2 expression scores according to Ishak's staging was significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group. COX-2 may play a role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Final Decision: yes