[A method for identification of liver cirrhosis of alcoholic etiology].

There is a significant association between the pro capita alcohol consumption and cirrhosis mortality rate. Cirrhosis usually develops after years of excessive drinking, although in many alcoholic men it never develops, even after decades of drinking. The admission of large amounts of alcohol beverages is very difficult for many patients.

[Serum concentration of bile acids and portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. Possible correlations].

For the detection of mild liver disease (acute viral hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis, fatty liver) serum bile acids levels have not proved to be superior to transaminases or other common liver tests with almost similar sensitivity and/or specificity. Indeed it has been possible to show in patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver that the serum bile acids concentration is related to the degree of intrahepatic shunts and that there was a significant relationship between the fasting serum bile acids and the intrinsic clearance of ICG. Measurement of serum bile acids appear to be more sensitive for detection of cirrhosis than commonly used tests.