Ace the ABPath Challenge 2025 – Path to Pathology Perfection!

Cirrhosis refers to the advanced scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The most prevalent cause of cirrhosis worldwide is alcohol abuse. Chronic heavy drinking leads to alcoholic liver disease, which progresses to inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and ultimately to cirrhosis as the liver becomes unable to repair itself due to persistent damage.

Alcohol acts as a hepatotoxin and initiates a cascade of inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the liver parenchyma, which disrupts normal liver architecture and function. This process can take years to develop, and the risk increases significantly with both the amount and duration of alcohol consumption.

While genetics, chronic viral infections like hepatitis B and C, and autoimmune disorders can all contribute to cirrhosis, they do not surpass the impact of alcohol abuse in terms of prevalence. Public health studies and reports commonly identify alcohol use as a leading factor in the incidence of cirrhosis, making it a critical focus for prevention and intervention strategies in liver disease management.