Clinical features and consequences

In liver cirrhosis, there may be no stigmata of live disease if the patient is 'compensated'. Otherwise clinical features may include:

• symptoms:
  • lethargy
  • itch, especially in primary biliary cirrhosis
  • fever
  • weight loss
  • swelling of abdomen and ankles.
    
    
• signs:
  • jaundice
  • finger clubbing
  • leuconychia
  • palmar erythema
  • bruising
  • spider naevi
  • parotitis
  • sexual changes:
    • in males: gynaecomastia, reduced body hair
    • in females: erratic menstruation and breast atrophy;
  • hepatomegaly
• splenomegaly

Also, liver cirrhosis can cause:

• portal hypertension
• transudate ascites
• Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome
• oesophageal varices