Liver disease in the elderly

Despite several morphologic and functional changes that have been described in the aging liver, most relevant studies fail to identify a significant age-related deficit in liver function in humans. One of the important age-related changes is a decrease in regenerative capacity, which may partly expl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGastroenterology clinics of North America Vol. 30; no. 2; p. 547
Main Authors Regev, A, Schiff, E R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.2001
Subjects
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - physiology
Hepatitis, Viral, Human - etiology
Humans
Liver - physiology
Liver Diseases - classification
Liver Diseases - etiology
Liver Diseases - therapy
Liver Transplantation - methods
Risk Factors
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Summary:Despite several morphologic and functional changes that have been described in the aging liver, most relevant studies fail to identify a significant age-related deficit in liver function in humans. One of the important age-related changes is a decrease in regenerative capacity, which may partly explain the impaired recovery after severe viral and toxic injury in the elderly. Nevertheless, livers from older subjects are used successfully for transplantation. Substantial morbidity and mortality in the elderly is attributable to liver diseases, and the number of patients older than 65 years of age with chronic liver disease is increasing rapidly. Although there are no liver diseases specific to advanced age, the presentation, clinical course and management of liver diseases in the elderly may differ in important respects from those of younger individuals.
ISSN:0889-8553
DOI:10.1016/S0889-8553(05)70195-3