Cirrhosis Support Group

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules, leading to progressive loss of liver function. Cirrhosis is most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C, and was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States in 2000. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. In advanced stages of cirrhosis, the condition is irreversible and the only option would be a liver transplant.

Cirrhosis has many possible causes; sometimes more than one cause are present in the same patient. In the Western World, chronic alcoholism and hepatitis C are the most common causes.

Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and reduce complications. Close follow-up is often necessary. Alcohol and acetaminophen, as well as other potentially damaging substances, are discouraged. A healthy diet is encouraged, as cirrhosis may be an energy-consuming process. Salt restriction is often necessary, as cirrhosis leads to accumulation of salt (sodium retention). High-protein food increases the nitrogen balance, and would theoretically increase encephalopathy; in the past, this was therefore eliminated as much as possible from the diet. Recent studies show that this assumption was incorrect, and high-protein foods are even encouraged to maintain adequate nutrition.

Treatment exists of elimination of the causes and preventing complications:

Elimination of causes: alcoholic cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse is treated by abstaining from alcohol. Treatment for hepatitis-related cirrhosis involves medications used to treat the different types of hepatitis, such as interferon for viral hepatitis and corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis. Cirrhosis caused by Wilson's disease, in which copper builds up in organs, is treated with chelation therapy (e.g. penicillamine) to remove the copper.

Preventing complications. Diuretics may be necessary to suppress ascites. Antibiotics will be prescribed for infections, and various medications can help with itching. Laxatives, such as lactulose, decrease risk of constipation; their role in preventing encephalopathy is limited. For portal hypertension, propranolol is a commonly used agent to lower blood pressure over the portal system.

In severe complications from portal hypertension, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting is occasionally indicated to relieve pressure on the portal vein.

If complications cannot be controlled or when the liver ceases functioning, a liver transplant is necessary. Survival from liver transplantation has been improving over the 1990s and is now around 90%, depending largely on the severity of disease in the recipient. Transplantation necessitates the use of immune suppressants (ciclosporin or tacrolimus).