(Mental Health)

Overview

• Develops due to sustained, long-term alcohol consumption
• Occurs in 10-35% of heavy drinkers
• Long history of heavy drinking is required for development of alcoholic hepatitis (15-20 yrs)

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Jaundice
• N&V, Loss of Appetite (Weight Loss), Fever with tachycardia
• RUQ pain
• Hepatomegaly
• Can get ascites & splenomegaly if severe, due to portal hypertension

Investigations:

• AST>ALT (2:1) (Make a toAST with alcohol) (both increased)
• Elevated GGT (paritcularly in absence of raised ALP → suggests alcohol abuse)