Diagnosis and epidemiology of cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis is defined histologically as an advanced form of progressive hepatic fibrosis with distortion of the hepatic architecture and regenerative nodule formation. It may be due to a variety of causes. It can be diagnosed incidentally on liver biopsy or hepatic imaging studies, or patients may present clinically with one or more features of hepatic failure. This article gives the reader a broad overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and natural history of cirrhosis; laying the foundation for subsequent articles, which will discuss the diagnosis and management of each of the specific cirrhosis-related complications.
Lefton
Harvey B
HB
Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, 216 Broad Street, Mail 1001, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. hblmd@aol.com
Rosa
Anthony
A
Cohen
Matthew
M
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000453:epidemiology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000401:mortality; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase