Journal of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

All submissions of the EM system will be redirected to Online Manuscript Submission System. Authors are requested to submit articles directly to Online Manuscript Submission System of respective journal.
Reach Us +1 (202) 780-3397

Perspective - Journal of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (2024) Volume 6, Issue 2

Liver cirrhosis comprehensive overview of causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Lee Michael*

Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Netherlands

*Corresponding Author:
Lee Michael
Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Netherlands
Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
Netherlands
E-mail:leemich@war.nl

Received:24-Mar-2024, Manuscript No. AACPLM-24-131264; Editor assigned: 27-Mar-2024, PreQC No. AACPLM-24-131264 (PQ); Reviewed:10-Apr-2024, QC No. AACPLM-24-131264; Revised:15-Apr-2024, Manuscript No. AACPLM-24-131264 (R); Published:22-Apr-2024, DOI:10.35841/ aacplm-6.2.200

Citation: Michael L. Liver cirrhosis comprehensive overview of causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. J Clin Path Lab Med. 2024;6(2):200

Introduction

Liver cirrhosis stands as a formidable challenge in modern medicine, exerting a significant toll on global health. It represents the end stage of numerous chronic liver diseases, characterized by extensive fibrosis and loss of functional liver tissue. This article aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of liver cirrhosis, delving into its multifaceted etiology, diverse clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategies[1].

Liver cirrhosis manifests as a consequence of prolonged insult to the liver, perpetuated by a myriad of etiological factors. Chronic alcohol consumption remains a leading cause, inflicting direct hepatotoxic effects and fostering hepatic inflammation. Viral hepatitis, encompassing hepatitis B and C, constitutes another prominent etiology, eliciting persistent liver injury and fibro genesis[2].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its progressive subtype, Non-Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis (NASH), emerge as burgeoning causes, fuelled by the burgeoning epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis, contribute to the spectrum of cirrhosis etiology, alongside hereditary conditions like hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease[3].

Liver cirrhosis presents a protean array of clinical manifestations, often mirroring its underlying etiology and the extent of hepatic decompensation. Early stages may manifest subtly, with nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, and vague abdominal discomfort[4].

As the disease progresses, overt signs such as jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and coagulopathy may ensue. Complications such as portal hypertension herald a cascade of sequelae, including variceal haemorrhage, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatorenal syndrome, exacerbating the disease burden and mortality risk[5].

Diagnosing liver cirrhosis necessitates a comprehensive approach, integrating clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, radiological imaging, and histopathological assessment. Serum liver function tests provide invaluable insights into hepatocellular injury and synthetic function, augmented by serological markers for viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver diseases[6].

Imaging modalities, including ultrasonography, Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), affords visualization of hepatic architecture, enabling the detection of nodular regeneration and portal hypertension. In select cases, liver biopsy remains the gold standard for histological confirmation and prognostic stratification, albeit constrained by procedural risks and sampling variability[7].

Management of liver cirrhosis hinges on mitigating disease progression, alleviating symptoms, and averting complications. Lifestyle modifications, such as abstinence from alcohol and adoption of a balanced diet, constitute cornerstone measures in halting liver injury and promoting hepatic regeneration. Pharmacological interventions encompass a spectrum of agents, targeting specific etiologies or complications, including antiviral therapy for viral hepatitis, corticosteroids and immunosuppressant for autoimmune liver diseases, and vasoactive drugs for portal hypertension. Liver transplantation emerges as the ultimate therapeutic recourse for patients with decompensated cirrhosis and refractory complications, offering a chance of cure and long-term survival[8, 9].

Liver cirrhosis embodies a complex interplay of etiological factors, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic considerations, underscoring the imperative for a multidisciplinary approach to its management. By elucidating its diverse facets, from pathogenesis to treatment, this article endeavours to empower clinicians and patients alike in navigating the labyrinth of liver cirrhosis, fostering early recognition, proactive intervention, and optimized outcomes in this challenging clinical entity[10].

References

  1. Zhou WC, Zhang QB, Qiao L. Pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(23):7312.

    2. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  2. Wiegand J, Berg T. The etiology, diagnosis and prevention of liver cirrhosis: part 1 of a series on liver cirrhosis. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013 Feb;110(6):85.

    3. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  3. Mokdad AA, Lopez AD, Shahraz S, et al. Liver cirrhosis mortality in 187 countries between 1980 and 2010: a systematic analysis. BMC Med. 2014;12:1-24.

    4. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  4. Alberino F, Gatta A, Amodio P, et al. Nutrition and survival in patients with liver cirrhosis. Nutrition. 2001;17(6):445-50.

    5. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  5. Nishikawa H, Osaki Y. Liver cirrhosis: evaluation, nutritional status, and prognosis. Mediators Inflamm. 2015.

    6. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  6. Michitaka K, Nishiguchi S, Aoyagi Y, et al. Etiology of liver cirrhosis in Japan: a nationwide survey. J Gastroenterol. 2010;45:86-94.

    7. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  7. Rehm J, Taylor B, Mohapatra S, et al. Alcohol as a risk factor for liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta?analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2010;29(4):437-45.

    8. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  8. Tsukamoto H, Horne W, Kamimura S, et al. Experimental liver cirrhosis induced by alcohol and iron. J Clin Invest. 1995;96(1):620-30.

    9. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  9. Pinter M, Trauner M, Peck-Radosavljevic M, et al. Cancer and liver cirrhosis: implications on prognosis and management. ESMO open. 2016;1(2):e000042.

    10. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

  10. Garcia-Compean D, Jaquez-Quintana JO, Gonzalez-Gonzalez JA, et al. Liver cirrhosis and diabetes: risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical implications and management. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(3):280.

    11. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Get the App