Exam 2 - Hepatitis/Liver Disease Flashcards
What is steatohepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver by fat deposition
What AST to ALT ratio is suggestive of alcoholic liver disease?
AST:ALT ratio > 1.5 (traditionally 2 or more)
What AST to ALT ratio is suggestive of NASH or acute/chronic viral hepatitis?
AST:ALT ratio < 1 (ALT>AST)
What is Isolated Steatosis (NAFL)?
Fatty liver without injury or fibrosis of hepatocytes
What is Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)?
What is significant about its prognosis?
Fatty liver and inflammation with hepatocyte injury.
Risk of progression of fibrosis, cirrhosis is significant.
What are some risk factors for NAFLD?
- Abdominal obesity
- DM2
- Hyperlipidemia
- Metabolic syndrome
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
What risk factor is the strongest predictor for NASH?
Metabolic syndrome
What is the clinical presentation of NAFLD?
Usually asymptomatic with majority being an incidental finding
What might labs and imaging reveal in NAFLD?
- Mild elevation of ALT and AST, rarely above 300
- Ferritin elevated = marker for inflammation
- Hyperlipidemia
- GGT and ALP elevated
- Fibroscan (VCTE) with 5% or more liver fat on imaging or liver biopsy
- US notes fat
What clinical decision aid is commonly used for identifying patients with higher likelihood for advanced fibrosis of the liver?
- NFS
- Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4)
What is the gold standard for characterizing liver histological alterations in NAFLD?
Liver biopsy
What can be used to treat dyslipidemia in patients with NAFLD and NASH?
Statins
***should be avoided those in patients with decompensated cirrhosis
What is the cornerstone of management for NASH?
Exercise and weight loss
What is Hereditary Hemochromatosis and what does it lead to?
Hereditary disorder of iron metabolism which results in increased GI absorption of iron and accumulation of iron in differing organs.
What is Bronze DM and what disorder is it associated with?
Triad of DM, bronze pigmentation of skin, cirrhosis.
Late manifestation of Hereditary Hemochromatosis.
How will LFTs, transferrin saturation (Fe/TIBC), and ferritin look in a patient with Hereditary Hemochromatosis?
- Elevated AST, ALT, Alk Phos
- Transferrin saturation of 45 or greater
- Ferritin > 200 in men, > 150 in women
How is the diagnosis of Hereditary Hemochromatosis confirmed?
- Genetic testing (HFE) +/- liver biopsy
The goal of treatment for Hereditary Hemochromatosis is to prevent cirrhosis from iron overload. What can you suggest to a patient to avoid this?
- Avoid Vitamin C and iron containing supplements
- Avoid uncooked shellfish, especially oysters
- Avoid/limit alcohol intake
- Lab monitoring and phlebotomy (managed by hematologist)
What is Wilson’s disease?
Genetic defect which results in decreased excretion of copper into bile and accumulation of copper in liver. Once liver’s capacity is exceeded, copper is released into the blood stream and accumulates elsewhere in the body.
What are clinical findings of Wilson’s disease?
- Neurologic/Psychiatric symptoms: confusion, dysarthria, ataxia, Parkinsonism, seizures, spasticity, personality changes
- Kayser-Fleischer rings
What is pathognomonic of Wilson’s disease?
Kayser-Fleischer rings + neurologic manifestations
If Kayser-Fleischer rings are found on exam, what should you do?
Refer to ophthalmology for exam
If Wilson’s disease is suspected, what test should you order for initial screening?
Serum ceruloplasmin (plasma copper-carrying protein)
What will LFTs, serum ceruloplasmin, and 24 hour urinary copper look like in a patient with Wilson’s disease?
- AST/ALT: Mildly elevated
- Alk Phos: Normal or low
- Serum ceruloplasmin: Low
- 24 hour urinary copper: Increased
How is Wilson’s disease usually diagnosed?
Liver biopsy
What is the treatment for Wilson’s disease?
- Chelating agents
- Transplant in liver failure
When should you suspect alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?
- Non-smoker with emphysema at a young age (< 45 years old)
- Neonatal cholestasis
- Childhood cirrhosis