Liver Disease Prognosis

The liver is one of the most important organs of the body. It performs vital functions to support food digestion, absorption of nutrients and filtration of toxic substances as well as the clotting of the blood in response to trauma.

Liver disease can result from a variety of causes and may not be found until advanced conditions exist. The earlier that liver disease is found the more effective treatment interventions can be.

Symptoms of liver disease include:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain and/or swelling
  • Persistent unexplained itchy skin
  • Later as disease progresses;
    • Changes in the character of urine and stools
    • A yellow tinge to skin or the white portion (sclera) of the eyes

Liver disease can result from many factors, some of which are preventable:

  • Exposure to the blood and body fluids of others
  • Improperly done dentistry, manicures or pedicures
  • Unprotected sex
  • Blood transfusions before 1992
  • Diabetes
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Body art to include piercing and Tattoo's
  • Obesity
  • Injected drug use or needle sharing
  • High levels of triglycerides
  • Environmental exposure to toxins

Treatment for liver disease ranges from short-term supportive therapies, life-long medications or may even require transplantation. Changes in nutrition, activity, exercise and even alternative medicines may be required. Factors affecting the patient's outcome in liver disease include how far it has progressed when found, the base cause and the overall health of condition of the patient when the disease is discovered ('Burden of Illness'). All of these factors affect the outcome and prognosis of the patient with liver disease.

Prognosis in Liver Disease
A prognosis gives an idea of the likely course or outcome of a disease, it's recovery, path or recurrence. Based upon how far the disease has progressed and how severely it has affected the patient's liver functions the prognosis can vary greatly. Caught late the prognosis may be poor and transplant the only option. Early discovery of live disease generally improves the prognosis. The patient's commitment to treatment is especially challenging in liver disease as many of the medications given to improve liver disease result in long-periods of significant flu-like illness symptoms as side effects of the treatment. During this time many patients discontinue treatment which results in advanced disease progression and worse prognoses.

Liver Disease Prognosis Using PrognostiCheck®
The score from the PrognostiCheck® test provides a clear illustration of how the individual patient is doing; how far the disease has progressed, if treatment is working (in spite of side-effects) and can be used to support treatment and lifestyle choices. By monitoring the score during treatment the beneficial effects of that treatment can be seen and used to support the patient's compliance with a difficult and long course of therapy. The severity or progression of the liver disease and the effectiveness of therapies can be seen sooner than using blood tests, biopsies, imaging techniques and physical signs.

For instance if the normal Scoring value for the patient is 7 and their value is 5 the loss of 2 is the burden of disease experienced by this patient. By learning these numbers the patient, family and physician can work to see how to improve the score or to stop the score from lowering as fast. Improvements can be made through treatments, nutrition and activity. The score can help to motivate the patient to comply with treatment and go the extra effort to be more active, exercise and improve their nutrition. If the score cannot be improved them the patient can be transitioned to palliative and hospice care to better treat their immediate needs and to clearly understand their condition. The scoring results provide an objective and accurate means to make controlled end-of-life decisions.

The PrognostiCheck® 'Biometric Scoring System' for prognosis based upon a noninvasive diagnostic test that objectively, accurately and immediately illustrates how serious a disease condition is and if treatment is working (so symptoms can be improved if possible). Unlike statistical or mathematical programs the measurement of the individual patient provides clear illustration of the patient's condition right now and over time as treatment ensues and disease progresses.

"The system is based upon the discovery that the health of cell membranes reflects the overall health of the patient and detects any disease condition before lab studies; imaging techniques and physical examination can see them".

The information can be used to measure the benefits of treatment and determine recovery. The test electrically illustrates the vitality of cell membranes looking 'up-stream' in the process of physiology to a level that occurs earlier than usual tests. By providing better information sooner the results can be used by patients, families and physicians to make superior healthcare decisions in any disease condition including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disorders, hepatitis and more."

Is it helpful to know the Prognosis in Liver Disease?
Absolutely, better information sooner enables better decisions for patients, families and physicians. PrognostiCheck® detects the presence and severity of disease, the effectiveness of treatment, the burden of the illness on the individual patient and whether they are recovering. At the end-of-life controlled, objective decisions can be made to make the best use of the time that remains.