Via practica 4-5/2008

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE

Alcohol liver lesion is the most common liver disease in Slovakia. Alcohol is on the 3rd place among risk factors in Europe (after tobacco and hypertension). Save daily dosage of alcohol is less than 40 g for man and less than 20 g for woman. The most rapid diagnosis of alcohol dependence offers CAGE questionnaire. Increased levels of GMT, MCV, IgA, ratio AST/ALT more than 2 and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin are markers of higher alcohol consumption. The basis of the treatment is achieving of abstinence with help of psychiatrist. Other methods are only supportive. Maddrey index is useful in decision of corticoid treatment in alcoholic hepatitis. Liver transplantation is the last chance and it is possible after 6-month abstinence interval. Prognosis is much better, when abuse is closed.

Keywords: alcohol liver lesion, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis.