Omar Sims Research Program

Research

My first line of research is focused on hepatitis C virus (HCV), and my second line of research is focused on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), decompensated cirrhosis (DCC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplantation, and other etiologies of chronic liver disease.  My goal in this arena is to publish clinical and translational research to help clinicians, health and public health professionals improve clinical and health outcomes and extend life of those burdened with chronic liver disease. My research efforts are also focused on social determinants of health and populations heavily burdened with chronic liver disease: those living with HIV co-infection, alcohol and substance use and psychiatric disorders, minority racial and ethnic groups, and aging populations. 

Selected Publications

 Alqahtani, S.A., Schneider, C., Sims, O.T., Gurakar, A., Tamim, H., & Bonder, A., & Saberi, B. (2022). Liver transplantation for budd-chiari syndrome in the MELD-era. Transplantation Direct, 8: e1407, doi: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001407  

Salem, V., AlHusseini, N., Abdul Razack H.I., Naoum, A., Sims, O.T., & Alqahtani, S.A. (2022). Prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for obesity in saudi arabia: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13448  

Guo, Y., Kaniuka, A. R., Gao, J., & Sims, O.T. (2022). An epidemiologic analysis of associations between county-level per capita income, unemployment rate, and covid-19 vaccination rates in the united states. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1755, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031755  

Sims, O.T., Truong, D.N., Wang, K., Melton, P.A., & Atim, K. (2021). Time to hcv treatment disfavors patients living with hiv/hcv co-infection: Findings from a large urban tertiary center. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01105-5  

Sims, O.T., Jackson, A., Guo, Y., Truong, D., Odame, E.A., & Mamudu, H.M. (2020). A cross-sectional analysis of tobacco use and concurrent alcohol and substance use among patients living with hiv/hcv co-infection: Findings from a large urban tertiary center. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-020-09744-2  

Sims, O.T., Wang, K., Chandler, R., Melton, P.A., & Truong, D.N. (2020). A descriptive analysis of concurrent alcohol and substance use among patients living with hiv/hcv co-infection. Social Work in Health Care. 59(7), 525-541. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2020.1814938  

McPhail, J., Sims, O.T., Guo, Y., Wooten, D., Herndon, J.S., & Massoud, O.I. (2020). Fibrosis improvement in hcv patients treated with direct acting antivirals. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0000000000001821  

Sims, O.T., Oh, H., Pollio, D.E., Hong, B.A., Pollio, E.W., & North, C.S. (2020). Personality in combination with alcohol and drug use and psychiatric disorders to predict psychosocial characteristics and behaviors of hepatitis c patients. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. 12(6), doi: 10.1007/s10880-019-09694-4  

Sims, O.T., Chiu, C., Chandler, R., Melton, P., Wang, K., Richey, C. & Odlum, M. (2019). Alcohol use and ethnicity independently predict antiretroviral therapy nonadherence among patients living with hiv/hcv coinfection. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 7(1), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00630-8  

Sims, O.T., Oh, H., Pollio, D.E., Hong, B.A., Pollio, E.W., & North, C.S. (2019). Quality of life, functioning, and coping in hcv patients continuing versus ceasing alcohol use. Health Promotion Practice. e1-e6. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919837968   Romano, J.,

Sims, O.T., Richman, J., Guo, Y., Matin, T., Shoreibah, M., Kommineni, V., Lakshmi, K., & Massoud, O.I. (2018). Resolution of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy and absence of variceal bleeding in decompensated hcv cirrhosis patients. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2(6), 317-321. Doi: 10.1002/jgh3.12091   Shoreibah, M., Romano, J.,

Sims, O.T., Guo, Y., Jones, D., Venkata, K., Kommineni, V., Orr, J., Fitzmorris, P., & Massoud, O.I. (2018). Effect of hepatitis c treatment on renal function in liver transplant patients. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, 6(4), 391-395. Doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2018.00026  

Shelnut, D., Sims, O.T., Zaibaq, J., Oh, H., Venkata, K.V.R., Peter, S. (2018). Predictors for outcomes and readmission rates following double balloon enteroscopy: A tertiary care experience. Endoscopy International Open. Jun; 6(6): E751-E757. doi: 10.1055/a-0602-3967  

Sims, O.T., Pollio, D.E., Hong, B.A., & North, C.S. (2017). Racial disparities in hepatitis c treatment eligibility. Annals of Hepatology, 16(4), 530-537, doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.0282  

North, C.S., Pollio, D.E., Sims, O.T., Jain, M.K., & Hong, B.A. (2017). Prospective longitudinal substance use patterns in patients preparing for hepatitis C treatment. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 14(1), 60-69. DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2017.1380246  

North, C.S., Pollio, D.E., Sims, O.T., Jain, M.K., Brown, G., Lisker-Melman, M., & Hong, B.A. (2017). An effectiveness study of group psychoeducation for hepatitis c patients in community clinics. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 29(6), 679-685. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000000860.  

North, C.S., Sims, O., Hong, B.A., Jain, M.K., Brown, G., Lisker-Melman, M., & Pollio, D.E. (2014). An empirical study of alcohol consumption by patients considering HCV treatment. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 40(6), 484-489. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2014.945592.  

Sims, O.T., Whalen, C.C., Nackerud, L.G., & Bride, B.E. (2014). Longitudinal effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy and cytokine-related depression on hepatitis C viral logs during antiviral therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 34(1), 80-84. doi: 10.1097/JCP.b013e3182a47397.