Liver

Transcript

Welcome to this collection of learning and assessment on the topic of liver disease.

Liver disease is currently one of the top five most common causes of death in England, mainly due to lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and the spread of hepatitis B and C infection. However, liver disease is largely preventable and, in many cases, damage to the liver can be reversed if diagnosed early enough.

Pharmacy professionals working in all sectors can have an important role to play in supporting the management of patients with liver disease. Having an understanding of the key issues will help you to support these patients in your role.

There are two main areas where pharmacy professionals can make a difference. Firstly, patients with liver disease often present with complicating symptoms, so you are well placed to recognise symptoms and make recommendations for management. Secondly, medicines use in liver impairment is not straightforward and you can offer valuable advice on adjusting or avoiding particular medicines for patients with impaired liver function.

Completing the learning and assessment on this important topic will increase your confidence in this area, allowing you to better support patients with liver disease and use your medicines expertise to add value to the care of these patients.

Learn how to recognise abnormal liver function test results, how to explain this physiologically and the appropriate action to take when abnormal results are due to medicines.

This case study forms part of the Biochemistry learning gateway. On this learning gateway page, you will find a range of learning resources which aim to increase your knowledge, skills, and confidence in relation to biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• recognise when abnormal liver function test results may indicate drug induced liver injury 
• identify the monitoring requirements in a person with drug induced liver injury.

The aim of this e-learning programme is to provide learners with a basic awareness of important blood tests and how to interpret them in order to support the diagnosis and management of patients. Section 1 covers full blood count, inflammatory markers and coagulation.

There are three sections which make up this learning programme. To access the other sections, select the links below:

Section 2 covers chronic disease markers, urea and electrolytes and liver function tests.

Section 3 covers thyroid function tests, bone function tests and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Welsh Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE). Users should recognise that this programme may refer to Welsh policies and organisations. CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

• explain the importance of laboratory testing in diagnostics and patient monitoring
• demonstrate understanding of the theoretical basis of and varied approach to investigation and monitoring of interventions
• advise on the appropriate treatment of patients with abnormal test results
• recognise the drugs that require therapeutic drug monitoring.

The aim of this e-learning programme is to provide learners with a basic awareness of important blood tests and how to interpret them in order to support the diagnosis and management of patients. Section 2 covers chronic disease markers including interpreting lipid profile, urea and electrolytes and liver function tests.

There are three sections which make up this learning programme. To access the other sections, select the links below:

Section 1 covers full blood count, inflammatory markers and coagulation.

Section 3 covers thyroid function tests, bone function tests and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Welsh Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE). Users should recognise that this programme may refer to Welsh policies and organisations. CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

• explain the importance of laboratory testing in diagnostics and patient monitoring
• demonstrate understanding of the theoretical basis of and varied approach to investigation and monitoring of interventions
• advise on the appropriate treatment of patients with abnormal test results
• recognise the drugs that require therapeutic drug monitoring.

The aim of this e-learning programme is to provide learners with a basic awareness of important blood tests and how to interpret them in order to support the diagnosis and management of patients. Section 3 covers thyroid function tests, bone function tests and therapeutic drug monitoring.

There are three sections which make up this learning programme. To access the other sections, select the links below:

Section 1 covers full blood count, inflammatory markers and coagulation.

Section 2 covers chronic disease markers, urea and electrolytes and liver function tests.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Welsh Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE). Users should recognise that this programme may refer to Welsh policies and organisations. CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

• explain the importance of laboratory testing in diagnostics and patient monitoring
• demonstrate understanding of the theoretical basis of and varied approach to investigation and monitoring of interventions
• advise on the appropriate treatment of patients with abnormal test results
• recognise the drugs that require therapeutic drug monitoring.

Medscape MELD score for end-stage liver disease (not suitable for patients under the age of 12)

NICE Liver conditions overview

British Liver Trust: facts about liver disease

NICE NG49 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): assessment and management

NICE NG50 Cirrhosis in over 16s: assessment and management

This guideline covers how to identify the adults, young people and children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who have advanced liver fibrosis and are most at risk of further complications. It outlines the lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatments that can manage NAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis.

NICE CG100 Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and management of physical complications

Early palliative interventions, including reviewing regular medicines and managing common symptoms, enables patients to remain comfortable during end-of-life care.