Chronic liver disease prevention strategies and liver transplantation

Abstract

Chronic liver disease is a considerable burden on society, being one of the three main causes of death in certain regions of Africa and Asia. Liver transplant is the only treatment option for cirrhosis, which is the end stage of many chronic liver diseases. This article reviews the preventable causes of cirrhosis and the preventive strategies which could be implemented in order to avoid the catastrophic consequences of cirrhosis. With small variations around the world, 70 to 80% of the end stage liver diseases are caused by excessive alcohol consumption and by viral hepatitis, both of which are potentially preventable. Excessive alcohol consumption has important public health consequences because of its involvement not only with cirrhosis, but also with motor vehicle accidents, unemployment, domestic violence etc. Among the viral causes, Hepatitis Virus B and C have the greatest impact on public health. Effective vaccine is available for Hepatitis Virus B and must be put in use. While a vaccine for Hepatitis Virus C is awaited, effective preventive strategies should be undertaken to avoid the preventable cases of end stage liver disease. Key words: Liver Transplantation. Hepatitis Virus B. Hepatitis Virus C. Chronic Hepatitis. RESUMOAs doenças hepáticas crônicas estão entre as três principais causas de morte na África e Ásia.O transplante de fígado é o único tratamento curativo para esta doença hepática de caráter terminal.O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar as causas passíveis de prevenção de cirrose e as estratégias que podem ser utilizadas no sentido de preveni-las. Com pequenas variações ao redor do mundo, 70 a 80 % das doenças hepáticas terminais são causadas por consumo excessivo de álcool e por hepatites virais que são doenças passíveis de prevenção.O consumo excessivo de álcool é importante problema de saúde pública, pois envolve violência doméstica, acidentes de trânsito, além da possível evolução para cirrose e suas conseqüências. Entre as causas virais as hepatites pelo vírus B e C têm o maior impacto na saúde pública. Para a hepatite B já há vacinas disponíveis. Enquanto a vacina para a hepatite C é ainda aguardada, estratégias efetivas de prevenção devem ser efetuadas com o objetivo precípuo de se evitar, por conseqüência, casos de hepatopatias crônicas desta natureza.

Knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward liver health and viral hepatitis-related liver diseases in Thailand

“…This is a concerning observation as the clinical presentation of the symptoms of liver diseases in patients typically occur at advanced disease stages. [ 16 , 26 ]…”

“…The perception of being healthy was a common reason cited by the respondents for not attending health screening. This is a concerning observation as the clinical presentation of the symptoms of liver diseases in patients typically occur at advanced disease stages [16,26] …”

Interplay between traumatic brain injury and intimate partner violence: data driven analysis utilizing electronic health records

“…Interestingly, it has been reported that patients who have experienced TBI are at a higher risk of acquiring liver cirrhosis due to intracerebral hemorrhaging [37]. Subsequently, the risk of acquiring liver cirrhosis or complications to the liver is high from increased alcohol or drug consumption [29][30][31][32]. This suggests that liver cirrhosis and any subsequent complications of the liver could be a strong indicator of IPV-related TBI, in addition to substance and alcohol abuse.…”

“…Alcohol and drug consumption is often used as a coping mechanism for IPV victims suffering post-assault [29][30][31][32]. Furthermore, alcohol consumption may increase vulnerability to experiencing IPV [29][30][31][32]. The presence of malnutrition among these terms suggests that victims of IPV also have a higher likelihood of suffering from anemia and being underweight compared to non-IPV victims [33].…”

Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Cirrhotic Patients at a Reference Center in Belém-PA, Analysis of 10 years

“…The ingestion of alcohol accelerates the frequency of hepatic decompensation, doubles the risk of mortality in cirrhotic patients, and there is a worsening of prognosis when there is an association with other ethyologies 1 . Meanwhile the natural history of hepatitis C virus includes long asymptomatic periods, which contributes a large number of patients to ignore this problem [15].…”