Sources of evidence

Most people with cirrhosis will have had the diagnosis made in hospital and will be followed up in hospital clinics. Reports can be obtained from hospital doctors or specialist nurses working in gastro-enterology or specialist liver clinics. People with early or mild disease may be predominantly under the care of their general practitioners. Some with cirrhosis who misuse alcohol may not attend their hospital visits for monitoring. It may be possible to obtain some information on their physical condition from the community alcohol teams who care for their psychological health.

It may be helpful to seek advice from Medical Services if the diagnosis of the condition causing cirrhosis is not clear. Treatment options and prognosis are determined to a significant extent by the underlying disease.

Amended April 2008