Introduction
Cirrhosis of the liver is a life-threatening permanent disease of the liver, which can be triggered by various underlying chronic diseases. The most important causes of liver cirrhosis are alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver, as well as liver inflammation such as viral hepatitis. As a result of chronic inflammatory processes, the liver tissue transforms into cirrhotic connective tissue, causing a slowly progressive loss of function of the organ. Life expectancy depends on many factors, circumstances and coincidences. In principle, liver disease in very early stages can be accompanied by almost no reduction in life expectancy, while advanced liver failure can be fatal on a daily basis.
What is the life expectancy in cirrhosis of the liver?
The general life expectancy for liver cirrhosis is highly variable and can range from no limitation compared to the normal population to a daily life-threatening disease. Life expectancy depends on the remaining function of the liver and compensation of the damaged organ areas. Life expectancy can be estimated using the so-called “Child-Pugh-Classification”.
This is calculated from various parameters, which include the synthesis and production functions but also the filtration functions of toxic substances. A reduction in life expectancy can only be assumed if albumin levels and coagulation values are significantly lowered and toxic products such as bilirubin or ammonia are increased. In the so-called “final stage”, the “Child C” stage of the disease, there is an average life expectancy of 35% per year.
In this stage, it is a threatening clinical picture, which can decompensate at any time and cause complications. Cirrhosis of the liver is a very variable disease, as it can manifest itself in very different ways and be accompanied by various secondary diseases and complications. An incipient liver cirrhosis usually does not lead to any physical restrictions, since the healthy parts of the liver can sufficiently compensate the filtering and production functions of the cirrhotic liver.
The severity of liver cirrhosis can be estimated on the basis of a classification that includes various bodily functions that are dependent on liver function. In the early stage of the disease, the average life expectancy is not restricted. However, this still depends on various factors.
In addition to the stage, the causative underlying disease is of enormous importance for the progression of liver cirrhosis. Progression of liver cirrhosis can only be stopped by treatment and elimination of the cause. Abstaining from alcohol is an important factor in the therapy.
In advanced liver cirrhosis, life expectancy depends primarily on the occurrence of the dangerous complications. A good coagulation function of the blood, low pressure in the blood vessels of the liver, sufficient production of vital proteins, as well as a remaining filter function of the liver are important factors in preventing liver-related complications. The life expectancy of liver cirrhosis depends largely on the remaining liver function and the resulting complications and secondary diseases.
An incipient liver cirrhosis can be physically well compensated by the healthy liver parts, but progresses rapidly if the underlying disease continues to attack the liver. Unfavorable factors for liver tissue health are heavy alcohol consumption, a high-fat diet and unhealthy lifestyle, as well as active liver inflammation of various causes. Severe complications leading to a severe loss of health are caused by bleeding, large amounts of abdominal fluid or brain damage caused by unfiltered toxic substances in the blood.
A “quick value” reduced in the laboratory value represents a risk of severe bleeding, which in liver cirrhosis can occur as a result of high pressure in the blood vessels. Other prognostically unfavorable factors are large amounts of abdominal fluid, reduced albumin and increased bilirubin levels in the blood, as well as limitations caused by brain damage. Externally recognizable effects of liver cirrhosis can be a yellowing of the skin and eyes or a dilation of the superficial veins on the trunk.
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