Introduction to Hepatic Disease

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