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Drug therapy reviews: chronic hepatitis
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|October 1, 1978
Summary
Chronic hepatitis requires liver biopsy for diagnosis. Chronic persistent hepatitis has an excellent prognosis without treatment, while chronic active hepatitis necessitates treatment with prednisone and azathioprine to prevent cirrhosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Internal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis encompasses various liver conditions with differing prognoses.
- Clinical symptoms alone are insufficient for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the classification, clinical course, etiology, and treatment of chronic hepatitis.
- To differentiate between chronic persistent and chronic active hepatitis.
- To outline diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on liver biopsy.
- Classification into chronic persistent and chronic active hepatitis.
- Review of etiologies including viral hepatitis and drug toxicity.
Main Results:
- Chronic persistent hepatitis shows an excellent prognosis and requires no treatment.
- Chronic active hepatitis can progress to cirrhosis if untreated.
- Hepatitis B virus infection, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis, and certain drugs are identified causes.
Conclusions:
- Liver biopsy is essential for diagnosing chronic hepatitis.
- Chronic persistent hepatitis has a favorable outcome.
- Chronic active hepatitis management involves medication (prednisone and azathioprine) or drug withdrawal.