Improving the identification and monitoring of cirrhosis.

Morbidity and mortality associated with cirrhosis are on the increase. In a recent UK cohort study the incidence of cirrhosis increased by 50.6% between 1998 and 2009. Although all causes of liver disease increased during this period, this trend was primarily attributed to rising levels of alcohol m...

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Published in:Practitioner Vol. 260; no. 1798; pp. 25 - 30
Main Authors: Keane, Margaret G., Hensher, Charles, Pereira, Stephen P.
Format: diagnostic images review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Practitioner Medical Publishing Ltd. Nov2016
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Nov2016
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      pub: Practitioner Medical Publishing Ltd.
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        atl: Improving the identification and monitoring of cirrhosis.
      aug:
        au:
          Keane, Margaret G.
          Hensher, Charles
          Pereira, Stephen P.
        affil: Clinical Research Fellow in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, UK
      sug:
        subj:
          Liver Cirrhosis Diagnosis
          Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Diagnosis
          Liver Neoplasms Diagnosis
          Liver
          Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Etiology
          Hepatic Encephalopathy Diagnosis
          Ultrasonography
          Liver Neoplasms Etiology
          Ascites Diagnosis
          Liver Cirrhosis Complications
          Hepatic Encephalopathy Etiology
          After Care
          Ascites Etiology
          Liver Pathology
          Esophageal and Gastric Varices Etiology
          Biopsy
          Liver Cirrhosis Therapy
          Endoscopy, Digestive System
      ab: Morbidity and mortality associated with cirrhosis are on the increase. In a recent UK cohort study the incidence of cirrhosis increased by 50.6% between 1998 and 2009. Although all causes of liver disease increased during this period, this trend was primarily attributed to rising levels of alcohol misuse and obesity. Cirrhosis generally results from chronic liver damage over many years. It is characterised by fibrosis and nodularity of the parenchyma, which interferes with the synthetic, metabolic and excretory functions of the liver. Common causes include: alcohol misuse, hepatitis B (± delta) and hepatitis C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Abdominal ultrasonography is a good first-line investigation in patients with suspected liver disease. The most commonly used serum biomarker is the enhanced liver fibrosis panel. Transient elastography is a specialist radiological test, which quantifies liver compliance. Compared with a standard biopsy, it will assess a much larger proportion of the liver and therefore sampling errors should be reduced. The measurements are painless and quick and serial measurements for monitoring treatment response e.g. in chronic viral hepatitis, are feasible and acceptable to patients. Patients with confirmed cirrhosis should be assessed for potential complications (ascites, encephalopathy, oesophageal varices or hepatocellular carcinoma). Reviewing cirrhotic patients regularly in primary care provides a valuable opportunity to ensure hepatocellular carcinoma and variceal surveillance is being undertaken and to give advice on losing weight or reducing alcohol intake.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        diagnostic images
        review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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