[Scope and interpretation of laboratory tests in HBV/HCV infections--interpretation for medico-legal certification aspects].
Determination of medical effects of HBV/HCV infections, assessment of detriment to health and/or evaluation of effectiveness of therapy and prognosis are essential in medico-legal certification and are of a high value in civil, compensative cases. The author presents the scope of diagnostic laboratory tests, imaging examinations and determinations of HBV/HCV infection markers that are necessary for a possibly complete and objective assessment of future health consequences. The scope of the above tests and examinations and the interpretation of their results combined with clinical assessment and disease course evaluation allow for determining the degree of infection activity, intensification of the infectious-necrotic processes in the liver as well as hepatic competence and possible liver function impairment. Based on approximately 400 reviewed and evaluated cases, the author emphasizes divergences between standards imposed by contemporary diagnostic management practices and organs of hepatological supervision, recommendations of university-affiliated centers in chronic liver pathologies, and the "real-life" diagnostic practices in hospital wards and specialist outpatient clinics. The limitations (usually financial in character) that affect diagnostic management often cause severe difficulties in medico-legal opinionating.
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Z Katedry i Zakładu Medycyny Sadowej i Toksykologii Sadowo-Lekarskiej Slaskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach.