Case 15: Jaundice (My liver tests are abnormal) Flashcards
which types of hepatitis are transmitted via faecal oral route
A and E
which types of hepatitis are transmitted via blood and bodily fluids route
B, C,D
what types of hepatitis are acute
A
what types of hepatitis are acute and chronic
B,C,D
what types of hepatitis are chronic
E
what is hepatitis D associated with
only people with hepatitis B can be infected with hepatitis D
what is hepatitis E associated with
it is rare and associated with immunosuppression
what are the 4 essential functions of the liver
produces clothing factors for clotting cascade
stores excess glucose as glycogen
stores/detoxifies harmful endogenous and exogenous substances (cellular debris, bacteria, drugs)
metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
3 most common causes of liver cirrhosis in the western world
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
alcohol-related liver disease
chronic viral hepatitis
hepatitis B serology interpretation
Hepatitis B core antibody IgM (anti-HBc IgM) - appears within weeks of acute infection and remains detectable for 4-8 months
Hepatitis B core antibody IgG (anti-HBc IgG) - detectable in virtually all patients exposed to hepatitis B. Can be positive in both acute and chronic infection
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) - first serological marker to become positive in a new, acute Hepatitis B infection. Detected on average 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. Usually becomes undetectable after 4-6 months. Detection after 6 months implies chronic hepatitis B infection
Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb or Anti-HBs) - detected in the blood after person is able to clear Hepatitis B surface antigen. The presence of Hepatitis B surface antibody following acute infection suggests complete resolution of infection. It is also detectable in those immunised against hepatitis B
Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) - present in new acute infection and associated with high Hepatitis B virus DNA levels (HBV DNA)
Hepatitis B DNA - patients with high Hepatitis B DNA levels are more infectious
questions to ask about an overdose
number of tablets taken and the dose
was it taken once or staggered over time
timing- delay presentation may indicate a greater degree of liver toxicity
any other medication/drugs taken alongside
any medical conditions (including history of alcohol abuse)
what regular medications do they take (over counter, prescribed and herbal)- these may increase hepatotoxicity
what features may make you think a person is at serous risk of self harm
background of mental health problems
was the overdose planned- suicide note, changes to will, measures in place to prevent rescue
triggers- physical health problems, unemployment, bereavement, changes in relationship, social isolation, domestic violence
young/middle-aged men are at higher risk
how did they present to social services- was it them/someone else found them
how do they feel now- do they regret it/wish it was successful
what features on examination may indicate hepatotoxicity
confusion due to hepatic encephalopathy
liver asterixis (flapping tremor)
jaundice- skin/sclera
bruising of skin/bleeding gums/bleeding from anywhere- due to clotting derangement
tenderness in RUQ- liver inflammation
hepatomegaly
which herbal medication can increase risk of liver toxicity
St. Johns wart
what is a drug which can cause liver fibrosis
methotrexate
what are ALT and AST
they are enzymes found in hepatocytes which leak out and are found in large amounts when there is significant hepatic parenchymal damage
aside from liver injury, what may also increase ALT and AST levels
MI (they are found in the heart too)
rnhabdomylosis (they are found in skeletal muscle too)
haemolysis (they are found in RBCs too)
where is ALP found
liver, bone and placenta
what can increased ALP indicate
biliary obstruction
boney disease (Padgets)
fractures
metastatic disease
osteoperosis and myeloma typically don’t raise ALP unless associated with fractures
how to distinguish whether raise in ALP is due to liver or boney disease
look at GGT as well (it is raised in liver disease but not in boney)
what stages in life causes ALP to rise
during periods of growth (adolescence and pregnancy)
where is GGT found
liver
renal tubules
pancreas
intestine
aside from liver disease what can cause a raise in GGT
enzyme induction- for example prolonged exposure to hazardous alcohol and to some drugs (rifampicin, phenobarbitone, griseofulvin)
what is albumin and where is it made
is the predominant blood protein and is largely made by the liver
why might albumin levels be low
poor underlying liver systemic function
any illness can cause decreased albumin
extreme malnutrition
nephrotic syndrome (losing protein from kidneys)
protein losing enteropathy (losing protein from the intestines)
what is bilirubin
a waste product produced by the catabolism of haemoglobin
the liver and bilirubin
the liver is involved in the breakdown of Hb and conjugating bilirubin to make it water soluble for the its excretion in bile
what may cause raised bilirubin
pre-hepatic jaundice (increased red cell breakdown)
hepatic jaundice (reduced liver function)
post-hepatic jaundice biliary obstruction
what is Gilberts syndrome
there is low levels of conjugating enzymes which causes raised levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the presence of otherwise normal LFTs
what % of the population have Gilberts syndrome
5%
what markers are used to monitor chronic liver disease
serial measurement of albumin and bilirubin over long periods of time
those with chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) may have completely normal or only slightly raised LFTs
what is the most common cause of hepatic failure in the UK
paracetamol overdose
initial non-specific symptoms of paracetamol overdose
nausea/vomiting
abdominal pain
signs and symptoms of paracetamol overdose to be concerned about
acute confusion (encephalopathy)
reduced urine output
hypoglycaemia
reduced GCS
what treatment is given in paracetamol overdose
N-acetylcysteine (works as a glutathione donor, preventing the toxic build-up of NAQPI)
when should you commence acetylcysteine treatment
those with a high plasma-paracetamol concentration (on graph)
those presenting within 8-24hrs after ingesting more than 150mg/kg of paracetamol regardless of plasma-paracetamol concentration
those who present after 24hrs in they are- jaundiced, hepatic tenderness, elevated ALT above their normal, INR greater than 1.3 or paracetamol concentration is detectable
possibly give if they present within 24hrs with normal plasma-paracetamol, but have acute liver injury on biochemical testing
what dosage of paracetamol indicates high toxicity risk
above 150mg/kg in 24hr period
when should you be admitted to hospital for paracetamol overdose
if symptomatic
ingested more than licensed dose and more than or equal to 75mg/kg in any 24hr period
ingested more than the licensed dose but less than 75mg/kg per 24hrs on each of the preceding 2 or more days
what is a staggered overdose
ingestion of potentially toxic dose of paracetamol over more than one hour with the possible potential of wanting to cause self harm
management of staggered overdose
hospital admission
treated with acetlycystiene without delay
if you are unsure about a patients risk of liver toxicity following paracetamol overdose, where should you get advice
national poisons information service
what are the indications for liver transplant following paracetamol induced acute liver failure
arterial pH less than 7.3 or arterial lactate over 3 after adequate fluid resuscitation or if the 3 below happen within a 24hr period
creatinine over 300micromol/L
PT over 100 seconds (INR over 6.5)
grade III/IV encephalopathy
what is the most common reason for liver transplant and acute liver injury in UK
paracetamol overdose
when does toxicity peak after paracetamol overdose ingestion
48-72hrs after ingestion
liver toxicity is increased in people with what physiology
toxicity is from paracetamol metabolites therefore it is increased in people who have more highly induced cytochrome P450 physiology
what can be seen on ABGs in acute liver failure
acidosis