Introduction

Acute and chronic liver disease is a global endemic healthcare concern. More than 500 million people around the world are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus. Approximately 500,000 patients die of hepatocellular carcinoma every year, implying that trained healthcare professionals and facilities for liver disease patients is a critical issue. Although promising therapies have been developed for viral hepatitis infections, management of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma yet many patients suffer due to lack of adequate healthcare by professional hepatologists. This means that primary care physicians should be informed about diagnosing liver disease and the early management of viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Comprehensive Practical Hepatology provides readers current standard primary care guidelines for treatment and early stage management of patients with liver function abnormalities. This book provides a practical approach for physicians to apply on patients with apparent liver function abnormalities. The guidelines also cover:

Acute and chronic liver injury,

Information about the liver in systemic diseases,

Drug usage in liver diseases,

Surgical risk in liver disease patients, and,

Recommendations for pregnant as well as elderly patients.

Comprehensive Practical Hepatology thus provides complete practical advice on the management of liver diseases to non-hepatologists and general physicians.