Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

The liver is an essential organ that carries out metabolism, detoxification, and processing of nutrients. Liver cirrhosis occurs when prolonged injury results in the replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue (fibrosis), which interferes with the function of the liver. The most frequent causes are chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol abuse. As cirrhosis advances, it becomes more challenging to diagnose and treat, hence posing a serious global health issue. Multiple etiologies are responsible for the causation of cirrhosis, such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and chronic viral hepatitis. The diagnosis is made with a combination of imaging studies and laboratory tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound to determine liver damage. Cirrhosis was thought to be a irreversible condition previously, but current evidence indicates that advanced liver disease in some cases can be reversed. This has resulted in a change of nomenclature, with "advanced chronic liver disease" being used instead of "cirrhosis" to describe this changing concept. Treatment of chronic liver disease involves an extensive clinical evaluation, including symptoms, physical findings, medical history, and histological examination through biopsies or other investigations. Novel therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and immunotherapy, are being investigated as novel avenues to enhance outcomes in patients. This research intends to integrate existing knowledge and new developments in hepatology, with observations that can guide future studies and improve clinical practice in the management of liver disease