Fast Facts: Liver disorders

Liver disorders are encountered frequently in general practice. Recent data suggests that 5.5 million Americans have chronic liver disease. At least 1 per cent of symptomatic patients will have elevated liver test results, although the incidence of abnormal results varies considerably with the population studied. The goals of the physician's investigations are to understand the origin of the liver injury, to correct its cause and to prevent permanent organ dysfunction (ie, cirrhosis). An organized approach to investigating liver abnormalities allows the physician to reach conclusions promptly, and avoids excessive cost or risk to the patient. "Fast Facts: Liver Disorders" aims to help the physician reach these goals. Contents: Investigating liver disease; Acute liver disease; Alcoholic liver disease; Drug-induced liver disease; Autoimmune liver diseases; Metabolic liver diseases; Chronic viral hepatitis; Complications of cirrhosis; Benign liver tumors, cysts, infections and abscesses; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Pregnancy and the liver; Liver transplantation