What are the causes of the inflammation that leads to cirrhosis of the liver?
• Alcohol excess: the rate of cirrhosis in a country is directly related to the average alcohol consumption in that country. Half of all cases of cirrhosis are due to alcohol excess. • Chronic viral hepatitis: the two important viruses are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis B is common in Africa and Asia. Hepatitis C is increasing in importance both in Europe and the US. Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) does not cause cirrhosis. • Primary biliary cirrhosis: this is an uncommon disease mainly affecting women. It is not due to alcohol. For some reason the body mounts an attack on the liver in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. • Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: another uncommon condition that results in the body’s immune system attacking and destroying liver cells. • Drugs and chemicals: a number of drugs and chemicals can cause liver damage but few cause cirrhosis. Certain specialised drugs need monitoring for their effect on the liver. • Metabolic and i
