Organization and Function of a Clinic for the Alcoholic Patient with Liver Disease. I. Effect of Rehabilitation on Hepatic Abnormalities

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Abstract
Chronic alcoholic patients (167) with liver disease were followed in an outpatient clinic in an effort to rehabilitate them and prevent hepatic insufficiency. Ability to control alcoholism in the subjects studied depended upon the severity of the physical disability accompanying the liver disease and the psychological status of the patient. Seventy-six (45%) patients adhered to a program of abstinence from alcohol and maintenance of an adequate diet. This was associated with a disappearance of all evidence of liver disease with fatty liver and stabilization of the hepatic process; and with mild to moderate cirrhosis. Progressive clinical, biochemical and histological changes terminating in irreversible hepatic insufficiency occurred in patients who did not adhere to therapy. Alcoholic patients should be evaluated periodically for the presence of liver disease and intensive treatment given if it is found. A program designed to prevent relapse and treat nutritional abnormalities is valuable.

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