Introduction to Hepatic Disease

• Abnormal liver test results are seen in approximately 30% of patients with HIV^{[Crum-Cianflone 2010]}
• Patients with HIV diagnosed with potential causes of liver disease (Table 1) or exhibiting clinical signs of liver disease (Table 2) should undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation

Liver disease ranks as a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in people with HIV whose HIV disease is effectively controlled with antiretroviral therapy.^{[Weber 2006]} Abnormal liver test results are seen in nearly 30% of patients with HIV.^{[Crum-Cianflone 2010]} Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents the most significant cause of liver disease in people with HIV (Table 1). The shared routes of transmission of HIV, HCV, and HBV help to explain this phenomenon.^[...