Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis in Young Female: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge
Abstract: Alcoholic liver
cirrhosis is a disease due to excessive alcohol consumption that manifest as
fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis with fibrosis or liver
cirrhosis. Alcohol consumption as much as 60-80 g per day for 20 years or more
in male, or 20 g/day (approximately 25 mL/day) in female significantly
increases the risk of hepatitis and fibrosis as much as 7-47%. The aim of this
case report was to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of
alcoholic liver disease in young aged female. A female, 24 years old, came with
complaints of bloody vomiting, blacktarry stool, abdominal distention and
history of alcohol consumption (canned beer 5%, equal to 56-70 g/day) for 9
years. Physical examination revealed anaemic conjunctiva (Hb 2.9 g/dL),
ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, and bilateral legs oedema. Laboratory examinations
showed thrombocytopenia (125000/uL) and hypalbuminaemia (2.65 gr/dL). AST and
ALP were increased with the value of 175 U/L and 456 U/L, respectively.
Albumin-globulin ratio was 0.93 g/dL with serum ascites albumin-gradient was
2.20 g/dL (ascites fluid albumin level was 0.45 gr/dL and serum albumin level
was 2.65 gr/dL). Abdominal USG revealed hepatomegaly with coarse heterogenic
ecoparenchyma, portal vein dilatation, and splenomegaly. Diagnosis of alcoholic
liver cirrhosis was made based on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic
findings, while biopsy result did not confirm the pathology. Patients condition
improved with education of stop alcohol consumption and was given supportive
therapy.
Keywords: alcoholic liver
cirrhosis
Author: Syifa Mustika, Nina
Nur Arifah
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170398
