title: Long-term management of alcoholic liver disease.
abstract: Alcoholic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients with cirrhosis caused by alcohol are at risk for developing complications associated with a failing liver. The long-term management of alcoholic liver disease stresses the following: (1) Abstinence of alcohol (Grade 1A), with referral to an alcoholic rehabilitation program; (2) Adequate nutritional support (Grade 1B), emphasizing multiple feedings and a referral to a nutritionist; (3) Routine screening in alcoholic cirrhosis to prevent complications; (4) Timely referral to a liver transplant program for those with decompensated cirrhosis; (5) Avoid pharmacologic therapies, as these medications have shown no benefit.
authors.affiliation: Center for Liver Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1500 Northwest 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA. gwoo@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Garmen A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013695:Temperance; D014481:United States