Acute-on-chronic liver failure or Alcoholic Hepatitis? In patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease

Introduction and Objectives

This study aimed to determine if there is an overlap of alcoholic hepatitis and ACLF criteria and if the presence of ACLF predicts a poor prognosis.

Material and methods

Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of patients with chronic liver disease due to alcohol admitted under the Gastroenterology department (July to December 2021) to whom criteria for alcoholic hepatitis and ACLF were applied. ACLF was defined using the EASL-CLIF criteria. The American College of Gastroenterology criteria were used for the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis.

Results

Table 1.Characteristics of patients with ACLF and alcohol hepatitis

Discussion

Alcoholic hepatitis constitutes an acute deterioration of alcoholic liver disease than can transform into ACLF, accompanied by high short-term mortality. Diagnosis and treatment are currently insufficient due to a poor understanding of pathogenesis and the multiple etiologies involved.

Conclusions

There is an overlap in diagnostic criteria for ACLF and alcoholic hepatitis. Half of the patients who presented both entities died, so the presence of ACLF represents a poor prognosis for alcoholic hepatitis.

Funding

The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.