ETIOLOGY OF CHRONIC LIVER DISEASES IN THE NORTHWEST OF ITALY, 1998 THROUGH 2014

AIM: to assess the etiology of chronic liver diseases (CLD) from 1998 to 2014 at the outpatient clinic of Gastroenterology of the main hospital in Northwest of Italy among those dedicated to hepatology. METHODS: a random sample of charts of patients referred to for increased liver enzymes between January 1998 and December 2006, and between January 2012 and December 2014 were reviewed. Etiology search included testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wilson's disease and hereditary hemocromatosis. A risky alcohol consumption was also considered. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was diagnosed in patients with histological and/or ultrasound evidence of steatosis/steatohepatitis, and without other causes of CLD.