RESUMO
Early diagnosis of PHC development in cirrhosis is sometimes difficult through common tests excluding invasive diagnostic procedures; liver biopsy as a routine periodical control during the course of the disease is not advisable and AFP monitoring as a diagnostic test is preferable. The present study shows the results of a screening for AFP levels in a series of 113 cirrhotic patients aged over 50. 11.5% of them presented increased levels of serum AFP, indicating development of PHC. AFP elevated values resulted in 76.5% of cases associated with a previous HBV infection, and the risk of PHC development resulted sixfold greater in anti-HBc positive male cirrhotic patients. In patients with elevated AFP levels the prevalence of complications of cirrhosis resulted up to tenfold greater than in AFP negative patients.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/diagnóstico , Hepatite B/imunologia , Cirrose Hepática/sangue , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnóstico , alfa-Fetoproteínas/análise , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Antígenos do Núcleo do Vírus da Hepatite B/análise , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática/imunologia , Cirrose Hepática/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , RiscoRESUMO
Anti-HBc prevalence in alcoholics, chronic hepatotoxic drugs users, exposed to both these factors, and not exposed to alcohol and drugs cirrhotic patients was compared. Anti-HBc prevalence was significantly higher both in alcoholics and in hepatotoxic drugs users cirrhotic patients, and no statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence of anti-HBc in these two groups. In male cirrhotic patients the risk of HBV infection was 4.4 times higher in chronic hepatotoxic drugs users, 4.7 times higher in alcoholics, and 6.9 times higher in patients exposed both to alcohol and drugs. These results support the hypothesis that also chronic consumption of hepatotoxic drugs may be associated with a greater prevalence of HBV infection.
Assuntos
Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Cirrose Hepática Alcoólica/complicações , Hepatopatias/complicações , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas , Feminino , Hepatite B/etiologia , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática/complicações , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores SexuaisAssuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/etiologia , Hepatite B/etiologia , Hepatite D/etiologia , Falência Renal Crônica/complicações , Cirrose Hepática/complicações , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
The case of a patient who developed hepatitis during treatment with clofibrate is reported. The first attack of hepatitis, which resolved after the drug was suspended, was followed by another at rechallenge with a similar drug, fenofibrate.
