Acute alcoholic hepatitis: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:56, 19 January 2016

Acute alcoholic hepatitis is inflammatory liver disease secondary to alcohol use.

spectrum from hepatic steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis
history of (usually chronic) alcohol abuse (~80 grams of ethanol daily for 5 years (2))
ranges from subclinical cases to severe multisystem dysfunction

Cirrhosis is found in 50-60% of cases of alcoholic hepatitis (2).

Diagnosis is difficult and relies on a good history (1). Laboratory analysis may find an AST/ALT ratio of >1.5, elevated GGT, elevated WBC (1).

Abstinence from alcohol, nutritional supplementation (thiamine, folate

Amini, Maziyar; Runyon, Bruce. "Alcoholic Hepatitis 2010: A clinician's Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy." World of Gatstroenterol 2010 October 21; 16(39):4905-4912
Basra, Gurjot,et. al. "Symptoms and Signs of Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis." World J Hepatol. 2011 May 27; 3(5): 118–120.

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 ==Clinical Features==
-Jaundice, Hepatomegaly, ascites, fever, GI bleed, malnutrition, Varicies, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic bruit, alcohol withdrawal(2).
+===Symptoms:===
+*abdominal pain
+*N/V
+*weight loss / fatigue / anorexia
-Cirrhosis is found in 50-60% of cases of alcoholic hepatitis (2).
+===Signs:===
+*RUQ tenderness
+*jaundice
+*fever
+*hepatomegaly
+*ascites
+*encephalopathy
+*spider angioma
+*GI bleed/varices
+*malnutrition
+*symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
+Cirrhosis is found in 50-60% of cases of alcoholic hepatitis (2).
 ==Differential Diagnosis==