Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 476

Liver and gallbladder diseases are common in the geriatric population. When a patient presents with manifestations of liver disease such as abnormal transaminases, jaundice, ascites, bleeding, or encephalopathy, it is important to diagnose the cause and assess the prognosis. In any chronic liver disease, the patient needs to be assessed for cirrhosis using the formulas above or/and a fibroscan; if cirrhotic, the patient must be surveyed every six months for development of liver cancer or decompensation and every three years for development of varices. Fortunately, most liver diseases are treatable once diagnosed: medications can cure hepatitis C and control hepatitis B, primary biliary cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Non‐alcoholic and alcoholic liver disease are prevalent in the elderly and if caught early can be treated effectively with lifestyle changes. Drug‐induced liver disease increases as we age, and it is important to recognize this early so the offending agent can be discontinued. Geriatric patients who are otherwise healthy should be considered for liver transplantation.