2: Jaundice, Hepatitis, Hepatic Failure, Chronic Liver Disease Flashcards
Define jaundice
yellow discolouration of the skin and sclera
What concentration of bilirubin results in jaundice
> 50
How can the aetiology of jaundice be divided
Pre-Hepatic
Hepatic
Post-Hepatic
What are the three categories of pre-hepatic jaundice
- Haemolytic
- Crigler-Najar
- Gilbert Syndrome
What are the four causes of haemolytic anaemia
- Sickle Cell
- G6PD
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Haemolytic disease of foetus and new-born
Which enzyme is defective in Gilberts syndrome
UGT
What is the role of the UGT enzyme
In hepatocytes UGT converts unconjugated bilirubin to conjugated bilirubin
Explain Gilbert syndrome
There is low UGT enzyme. Meaning normally individuals are able to conjugate bilirubin. However, if haemolysis increases (illness, stress, dehydration) there will be an increase in unconjugated bilirubin as it exceeds the enzymes capacity
What is Crigler-Najar syndrome
Complete absence of UGT
What does Crigler-Najar syndrome usually lead to
Bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus
What are 6 hepatic causes of jaundice
- Hepatitis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Hereditary haemochromatosis
- Alcoholic liver disease
What are 5 causes of post-hepatic jaundice
- Gallstones
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Abdominal mass (eg. lymphoma)
- Dubin Johnson Syndromne
Which enzyme is deficient in Dupin-Johnson syndrome
Defect in MRP2
What is the function of MRP2
MRP2 is responsible for transporting conjugated bilirubin to hepatic duct
In pre-hepatic jaundice how will urine appear
Normal
In pre-hepatic jaundice how will stool appear
Normal - Dark
Why does urine appear normal and stool dark in pre-hepatic jaundice
As it is caused by an increase in physiological pathways
In hepatic jaundice how will urine appear
Dark
In hepatic jaundice how will stool appear
Clay
Explain why urine is dark and stool pale in hepatic jaundice
As there is a problem within the liver and hence conjugating bilirubin. Reduction in conjugated bilirubin reduces amount entering stool - hence causing pale stools. Unconjugated bilirubin accumulates in the circulation and hence is excreted by the kidneys.
How will urine appear in post-hepatic jaundice
Very Dark
How will stool appear in post-hepatic jaundice
Pale. Clay-coloured
Why is urine v.dark and stool pale in post-hepatic jaundice
Obstruction to outflow of bile. This means it cannot enter stool - giving stool a pale colour. Accumulating bilirubin backs-up the system enters the circulation causing dark urine.
How is bilirubin formed
From break-down of haem in RBC
Explain normal processing of bilirubin
Haem is a degradation production of RBC. Haem is converted to unconjugated bilirubin. This is conjugated at hepatocytes making it water-soluble and able to be excreted via the GI tract. Two main excretion productions are stercobillin and urobilinogen.
Explain the pathophysiology of pre-hepatic jaundice
Increase in RBC degradation. This increases unconjugated bilirubin. It is still able to be conjugated and therefore excreted in faeces. However, unconjugated bilirubin exceeds enzymes ability to conjugate causing an accumulation in the blood-stream resulting in jaundice.
Increase billirubin in bile also increases the risk of pigment stones.
Explain pathophysiology of hepatic jaundice
Liver looses ability to conjugate bilirubin, leading to excess unconjugated bilirubin. If the liver becomes cirrhotic it may obstruct bile - leading to a mixed conjugated and unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
Explain post-hepatic jaundice
Obstruction of biliary drainage leads to a conjugated hyperbillirubinaemia. Pressure in the bile-duct can cause back flow through tight junctions and enter the circulation. Bile salts and cholesterol may cause pruritus. Reduced bile excretion can cause steatorrhoea.
What investigation should be ordered in jaundice
LFTs
Why is bilirubin useful in assessing jaundice
Determine extent of hyperbillirubinaemia
Why is albumin useful in assessing jaundice
Determine liver function
Why is AST and ALT useful in assessing jaundice
Liver damage
Why is ALP useful in assessing jaundice
Indicates obstruction
Why is GGT useful in assessing jaundice
Often elevated in alcoholic liver disease
If the AST: ALT ratio is more than two what does it indicate
Alcoholic liver disease
If the AST: ALT ratio is 1 what does it indicate
Viral Hepatitis
In pre-hepatic jaundice how will
a. ALT/AST present
b. ALP present
a. normal
b. normal
In hepatic jaundice how will
a. ALT/AST present
b. ALP present
a. raised
b. normal
In post-hepatic jaundice how will
a. ALT/AST present
b. ALP present
a. normal
b. raised
What is hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
What are the two types of hepatitis
- Autoimmune
2. Viral
What is autoimmune hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by T cell function and autoantibodies directed against cell-surface antigens
What does the type of autoimmune hepatitis depend on
antibodies present
What 2 antibodies are present in type I autoimmune hepatitis
ANA
anti-SMA
Who does type I autoimmune hepatitis affect
adults and children
What antibodies are present in type 2 autoimmune hepatitis
anti-LKM1
Who does type II autoimmune hepatitis affect
children
What antibody is present in Type III autoimmune hepatitis
soluble liver and kidney antigen
Who does Type III autoimmune hepatitis affect
adults
Is autoimmune hepatitis more common in males or females
females (4:1)
what age-range does autoimmune hepatitis occur
10-20y and 45-70y
what three other conditions is autoimmune hepatitis associated with
Hashimotos thyroiditis
Coeliac disease
T1DM
what genes are associated with autoimmune hepatitis
HLAB8
HLADR3
how do symptoms vary in autoimmune hepatitis
Can vary from asymptomatic to liver failure
give 5 common symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis
- Lethargy
- Weight Loss
- Amenorrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice
what will a third of patients with autoimmune liver disease develop
Acute liver failure
how will acute liver failure in autoimmune hepatitis present
- Fever
- RUQ pain
- Jaundice
what investigations may be ordered in autoimmune hepatitis
- LFTs
- Antibodies
- IgG
- Liver biopsy
how will LFTs present in autoimmune hepatitis
Raised AST and ALT
what antibodies may be present in autoimmune hepatitis
Anti-nuclear antibodies
Anti-smooth muscle antibodies
how will IgG present in autoimmune hepatitis
May be raised - hypergammaglobulinaemia
when is a liver biopsy performed in autoimmune hepatitis
If autoantibodies are positive
what is first-line management of autoimmune hepatitis
Prednisolone.
Azathioprine may be used as steroid-sparing alternative.
what is the ultimate treatment for autoimmune hepatitis
Liver transplantation - if decompensated cirrhosis or failure to respond to medical therapy.
what is hepatitis A
Infection with hepatitis A
in which countries is hepatitis A common
(The A’s!):
South America
Africa
how is hepatitis A spread and how can this be remembered
Faecal-Oral.
Hepatitis A and E are the vowels - they are spread by the bowels
what food is hepatitis A particularly associated with
Shell-Fish
what is risk factor for catching hepatitis A
Travelling
what is the incubation period of hepatitis A
1-2W
how does hepatitis A initially present
Pro-drome
what is a KEY feature of hepatitis A prodrome
RUQ pain and tender hepatomegaly
what are 4 features of hepatitis A pro-dromal phase
- Fever
- Anorexia
- N+V
- RUQ - tender hepatomegaly
what are 2 symptoms of icteral phase of hepatitis A
Jaundice
Dark Stool, Pale Urine
Pruritus
How will LFTs present in hepatitis A
Raised AST + ALT
What is the AST to ALT ratio in hepatitis A
AST:ALT = 1
What is another investigation for hepatitis A
anti- HepA IgM and IgG
what does a raised anti-hep A IgM indicate
Current Infection
what does a raised anti-hep A IgG indicate
Previous Infection
how is hepatitis A managed
Self-resolving
is there a vaccine for hepatitis A
Yes
how many vaccinations of hep A does a person need
initial vaccine, followed by a booster 6-12m later
who is given Hep A vaccines
- Travellers
- MSM, IVDU, HIV
- Chronic liver disease
- Occupational risk
does hep A cause chronic disease
No
What is hepatitis B
Infection with hepatitis b virus
In which countries is HBV more common
- Far East
- Africa
- Mediterranean
What are the three methods of HBV transmission
Vertical
Parental
Sexual
What are 5 risk factors of HBV
- MSM
- IVDU
- HIV
- Baby of HbSAg +ve mother
- Prison staff
- Haemodialysis patients
What is the incubation period of HBV
6m
In acute infection what % will be symptomatic
30%
What are some symptoms of acute-hepatitis B
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Arthralgia
- Jaundice
- RUQ pain
What defines acute-hepatitis B infection
Manifests within 6m of infection
What defines chronic hepatitis B infection
Manifests beyond 6m of infection, or longer with positive HbSAg
How do individuals with chronic Hep B present
Often asymptomatic carriers
If individual has re-activation of chronic hep B how may it present
Liver Failure
Explain pathophysiology of acute Hepatitis B
HBV infects hepatocytes, which then express it’s antigen on their surface. Lymphocytes respond to HBV antigen and are activated - causing destruction of hepatocytes and subsequent inflammation.
Explain pathophysiology of chronic hepatitis B infection
Chronic inflammation leads to necrosis resulting in cirrhosis. Also causes cell dysplasia which is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma
What two investigations should be ordered for HBV patients
HBV serology
LFTs
What is the first-marker of HBV infection to appear
HbsAg
If HbsAg is present more than 6-months what does it indicate
Chronic Infection