Rare and Complex Liver Diseases

Ansgar W. Lohse, MD, is a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the I. Department of Medicine at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf. He has a diverse educational background, having studied Medicine and Philosophy at the University of Göttingen, London University, and Harvard Medical School. Following his studies, he completed postdoctoral training at the Weizmann Institute of Science and clinical training at Mainz University.

Dr. Lohse's academic career has been marked by significant achievements. He was appointed as an associated professor in 2000 and has been a full professor of medicine at Hamburg University since 2005. He has made substantial contributions to the field of medicine, with over 600 publications to his name, including several textbooks in German and edited books. Notably, he co-authored an open access book on "Infections and Society," which has garnered over 150,000 downloads.

In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Lohse serves in multiple editorial roles, including as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Hepatology. His expertise in hepatological diseases is further demonstrated by his role as the Coordinator of the European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER) since 2019.

Dr. Lohse's dedication to advancing medical knowledge and his leadership in the field of hepatology have established him as a respected figure in academia and healthcare.

Dr. Aurelie is a leading hospital practitioner and head of the reference center for vascular liver diseases. With extensive experience, Dr. Aurelie has identified significant challenges in diagnosing and managing vascular liver diseases, noting that over half of patients face diagnostic delays of more than six months, leading to substantial physical and psychological harm.

Dr. Aurelie's research highlights that patients with stabilized vascular liver diseases suffer more moral distress than the general population and those with chronic cardiac conditions or cancers. Notably, 80% of these patients are aged 16-59, 54% are professionally active, and 76% are married, indicating the severe personal and professional impact of their condition.

To address these challenges, Dr. Aurelie emphasizes the critical role of coordinating nurses in the patient care pathway. A survey showed that 90% of patients felt these nurses provided respectful, supportive, and preventative care, significantly enhancing patient satisfaction.

Dr. Aurelie's leadership and research continue to drive improvements in the care and quality of life for patients with vascular liver diseases.

Dr. Marianne Hørby Jørgensen, MD, PhD, is a renowned expert in pediatric hepatology, affiliated with both Copenhagen University and Rigshospitalet's Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Her primary research focuses on paracetamol poisoning, liver transplantation, and bile acid metabolism. Through her extensive work, she has improved protocols and outcomes in pediatric liver conditions. Her current research includes vaccination and growth in liver transplant recipients, management of metabolic syndrome post-liver transplantation, and novel treatments for paracetamol intoxication and acute liver failure.

In her professional capacity, Dr. Jørgensen serves as a representative for both the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Her role ensures that cutting-edge research and practices in pediatric hepatology are effectively communicated and implemented within the medical community. Dr. Jørgensen's work continues to advance the field of pediatric hepatology, significantly enhancing patient care and clinical outcomes.