Categories: Cirrhosis

February 2006 Volume 2, Issue 2

Jorge L. Herrera, MD, and Reynaldo Rodríguez, DO

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The prevalence of liver disease and its complications is rapidly increasing in the United States. Gastroenterologists and hepatologists provide most of the medical care for patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. While most gastroenterologists and hepatologists are comfortable managing the serious complications related to cirrhosis, many fail to provide the necessary education, prevention, and treatment for non–life-threatening problems associated with cirrhosis. Health-related quality of life has been found to strongly correlate with how well cirrhosis-related problems are addressed in the outpatient setting. This paper will review the outpatient management of patients with stable cirrhosis, including the surveillance and health maintenance recommendations necessary to monitor, prevent, or delay the onset of serious complications.