The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
A chronic disease in which liver cell injury causes inflammation, necrosis, and stellate cell activation. Fibrosis replaces normal liver tissue and destroys the liver’s vascular and lobular architecture, progressively diminishing blood flow and decreasing function. End result is liver failure and/or cancer.
ALERT:
Geriatric Considerations
- Jaundice and encephalopathy more common
ALERT:
Pediatric Considerations
- Inborn errors of metabolism (e.g., tyrosinemia), congenital anomalies (e.g., biliary atresia)
Epidemiology
- Predominant age: 40–50 years old
- Predominant sex: Male > female; but more females get cirrhosis from alcohol abuse.
- 12th leading cause of death in all US adults
Risk Factors
- Alcohol abuse
- IV drug abuse
- Obesity
Genetics
Hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, and Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in adults
General Prevention
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