20th April 2024

Background

Cirrhosis is the final common pathway of many diseases that affect the liver. It is a histological diagnosis characterised by hepatic nodule formation and diffuse fibrosis. The most common causes in the UK include alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis (hepatitis C and B) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Other causes include autoimmune liver disease (autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis), haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease and α-1 antitrypsin deficiency.