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World J Hepatol. May 27, 2011; 3(5): 118-120
Published online May 27, 2011. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v3.i5.118
Published online May 27, 2011. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v3.i5.118
Symptoms and signs of acute alcoholic hepatitis
Gurjot Basra, Sarpreet Basra, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Sreeram Parupudi, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Author contributions: Basra G drafted the manuscript; Basra S revised the manuscript; Parupudi S supervised and approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Sreeram Parupudi, MD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0764, United States. srparupu@utmb.edu
Telephone: +1-409-772-1501 Fax: +1-409-772-4789
Received: October 28, 2010
Revised: March 8, 2011
Accepted: March 15, 2011
Published online: May 27, 2011
Revised: March 8, 2011
Accepted: March 15, 2011
Published online: May 27, 2011
Abstract
Although there is not one specific sign or symptom related to alcoholic hepatitis (AH), a constellation of symptoms and signs can help make the diagnosis of AH with reasonable accuracy. Documentation of chronic and active alcohol abuse is paramount in making a diagnosis of AH. Clinical presentation after abstinence for more than 3 m should raise doubts about the diagnosis of AH and dictate the need for considering other causes of liver disease, decompensation of alcoholic cirrhosis, sepsis and malignancy as the cause of patient’s clinical profile.