Chronic Hepatitis
What is it?
Inflammation of the liver that is present at least 6 months
Biopsy confirming unresolved hepatic inflammation
Caused by?
Alcoholic hepatitis
Hepatitis E
Drug induced
Non-alcoholic steatohepatits
Hepatitis B
Less common
Hepatitis C
75% of acute hep C cases become chronic
Most common cause (60-70% of cases)
5-10% of cases
Rarely - only in those w compromised immunity
Chronic use of some meds
Heredity disorder
Coeliac Disease
Thyroid disorder
Wilson's disease
Autoimmune hepatits
Symptoms
In 1/3 of pt.s after a bout of acute viral hep
In 2/3 of pt, develops gradually and is asymptomatic until cirrhosis occurs
Symptoms may include:
malaise
poor appetite
fatigue
low grade fever
may have right upper quadrant pain
Advanced stage (CLD) symptoms inc:
jaundice
tea-coloured urine
muscle wasting
oedema
ascites
hepatic encephalopathy
GIT bleeding
spider angiomas
splenomegaly
palmar erythema