Hey, what about the Liver? Understanding CF Liver & Biliary Disease
Most people with CF know their lungs better than anyone. But the liver? It’s rarely front and center. In this episode, Ahmet, Lauren and Andrea talk all things liver with Dr. Jay Freeman, a hepatologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a leader in the GI and liver complications of children and adults with cystic fibrosis. Joining that conversation is Sarah Richards— who received a double lung and liver transplant at Duke—to talk about one of CF’s most overlooked complications: liver and biliary disease.
Sarah shares what it’s like to live through end-stage liver failure and come out the other side, while Jay explains how CFTR affects the liver and what screening for liver and biliary disease looks like—as well as early warning signs for people with CF.
We cover scoring systems, swollen bellies, ultrasound screening, and we search for answers beyond “bad luck” as the best explanation medicine has to offer.
Also tucked into the episode: a spirited debate over sandwich geometry, Batman, and a karaoke moment of brilliance.
Dr. A. Jay Freeman is a hepatologist and leader in the care of children and adults with pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and liver diseases. As Medical Director of Pancreatic Care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, he guides patients and families through complex diagnoses, including liver failure and transplantation.
Dr. Freeman’s research focuses on improving outcomes for people with pancreatitis and the digestive complications of cystic fibrosis. He has authored numerous scientific papers and international guidelines on pancreatitis and nutritional management and helped develop patient-reported outcome tools now used in cystic fibrosis clinical trials. He also serves as an investigator in the INSPPIRE international study group and contributes to the Collaborative Alliance of Pancreas Education and Research (CAPER) Board of Directors. An active educator and advocate, Dr. Freeman serves on the editorial board of JPGN Reports and advises the National Pancreas Foundation registry. His work has been recognized through multiple awards, including for Clinical Innovation in Program Development and induction into the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Peachtree Society.
Sarah Richards: @sarahjoysofcf
Our CF community member guest’s bio can be found on Instagram: