A 53-year-old man notices the whites of his eyes seem a bit yellow,there is swelling in his abdomen,and he is often fatigued.He tells his physician that he enjoys "a few" martinis every night and sometimes more on the weekend.Upon physical examination,the physician notes decreased weight,elevated blood pressure,jaundice,and ascites,and laboratory results indicate decreased albumin,low platelet count,increased prothrombin time,and increased serum liver enzymes with AST activity higher than ALT.All viral hepatitis and cholestasis testing is negative.What is the likely diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presented symptoms, physical exam findings, and laboratory results suggest chronic alcoholic hepatitis transitioning to cirrhosis. The patient's history of heavy alcohol consumption, jaundice, ascites, and elevated serum liver enzymes with AST activity higher than ALT are consistent with this diagnosis. The other options, such as pancreatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, do not match the patient's clinical presentation or laboratory results.

A 53-Year-Old Man Notices the Whites of His Eyes Seem