title: [How to prevent complications of liver cirrhosis?].
abstract: Liver cirrhosis is the end-stage of chronic liver disease. Even at the compensated stage complications are multiple, severe and potentially fatal which are related to liver insufficiency, portal hypertension and a pre-cancerous stage. It is now possible to diagnose cirrhosis through non invasive tools like biochemical scores and Fibroscan. It may be reversible provided adequate counselling about excessive alcohol intake and metabolic syndrome and specific treatments such as antivirals, venesection, immunosuppressive therapies are implemented. The role of the general practitioner is to diagnosis and treat cirrhosis early together with the hepatogastroenterologist. He can also, through simple means, prevent complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma, variceal bleeding, overt encephalopathy and renal failure and liver decompensation after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie et d'Hépato-pancréatologie, Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verset
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moreno
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000517:prevention & control; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013695:Temperance