Introduction Early diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), particularly with advanced fibrosis, is crucial due to the increased risk of complications and mortality. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is commonly used for this purpose; however, many patients with normal ALT ranges (30 U/L) using intelligent liver function testing (iLFT) to identify MASLD patients with […]

Introduction Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant global health issue, resulting in approximately 2 million deaths annually. Fibrosis in CLD marks a critical turning point, impacting prognosis. The primary causes of CLD are alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Early detection of fibrosis allows for targeted interventions to curb progression […]

Introduction The prevalence and mortality of chronic liver disease have risen significantly worldwide in recent decades. In Portugal, liver disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death, with the country having the highest mortality rate from hepatocarcinoma in Europe. Chronic liver disease typically progresses from a compensated phase to decompensated liver cirrhosis, characterized by […]

Introduction Liver transplantation (LT) is the definitive treatment for acute and end-stage liver diseases of all etiologies and is also performed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Survival rates in Europe have improved significantly, achieving rates of 86% at one year and 74% at five years after LT. Despite these major improvements, biliary adverse events are […]

Introduction Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in liver cells. It can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. NAFLD affects approximately 25.2% of the global population and is closely associated with metabolic syndromes such as obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type […]

Introduction Approximately 1.6 million individuals live with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the United States (US). CHB is associated with an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which can often be prevented by suppression of HBV viremia (i.e., viral load). Nucleoside and nucleotide analogues (NA) are used in the treatment of CHB, but […]

Introduction Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare condition in children, with an incidence of approximately 2 to 5 per 100,000. The most common cause of PHPT in children is solitary parathyroid adenoma (PTA), accounting for 70% to 80% of cases. Unlike adults, where PHPT often presents as asymptomatic hypercalcemia, children and adolescents typically exhibit symptoms. […]

Introduction Liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, is more than just a liver issue. It has far-reaching implications, particularly in the context of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (SLD). This article delves into the intricate relationship between liver fibrosis and various microvascular and macrovascular complications, especially in individuals […]

Introduction Hyperammonemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of ammonia in the blood, can lead to encephalopathy and is primarily caused by liver diseases and urea cycle disorders. Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is a genetic disorder that impairs the urea cycle, leading to hyperammonemia. This article discusses a case of hyperammonemic encephalopathy triggered by a […]

Introduction Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare and complex disease first described in Sweden in 1950. Its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, but it is known that hepatocyte injury occurs through an inflammatory cascade triggered by an alteration in the immune system involving antigenic tolerance in genetically predisposed individuals. The presentation spectrum is broad, ranging from […]