Risk factors for chronic liver diseases: primary and secondary prevention

Abstract:

Chronic liver diseases include conditions ranging from inflammation (i.e. hepatitis), fibrosis, compensated and decompensated cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. The etiology of chronic liver diseases is very broad; viral, toxic, metabolic, hereditary, autoimmune and sometimes unknown. These diseases are a major public health problem and are among the top ten causes of mortality in the developed world. The emergence of some of these diseases is preventable, and if they have developed and a treatment is possible, they should be treated. It is necessary to take preventative measures such as vaccination and elimination of all factors that potentiate the further progression of the disease. In developed cirrhosis, screening for hepatocellular carcinoma and varices is required, as well as the prevention of complications in cirrhosis of the liver which include: bleeding out of the varices, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. 

Key words:
alcohol abstinence; chronic liver disease; hepatotoxic substances; liver cirrhosis; prevention