title: Chronic hepatitis.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis may be viral or "lupoid" or may be related to drug use, alcoholism, or Wilson's disease. This article outlines the routine and special laboratory investigations that are indicated when the presence of chronic hepatitis is suspected from symptoms referable to the liver or from biochemical or physical abnormalities in an asymptomatic patient. The importance of needle liver biopsy in diagnosis and in follow-up is emphasized. Special attention is given to the selection of patients for prednisolone therapy.
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000382:microbiology; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic