Comprehensive Care of Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Chronic liver disease results from a wide range of conditions, for which individual management is beyond the scope of this article. General education, counseling, and harm reduction practices are important to the primary care of these patients, as are monitoring for cirrhosis and management of its complications. For patients with advanced liver disease, comprehensive care includes considering referral for liver transplantation, educating and empowering patients to prioritize goals of care, and optimizing symptom relief.

Keywords: Ascites; Chronic liver disease; Cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Varices.