4. INTRODUCTION(CONT’D)
Liver is a large, meaty
organ that sits on the right
side of the belly and
weighing about 3 pounds
(Carol, 2021).
Alcohol can be toxic to the
liver (hepatotoxic),
especially in high doses,
and long term alcohol
abuse is a common cause
of liver diseases (Melissa,
2022).
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Harmful use of alcohol is accountable for 7.1% and 2.2% of the global
burden of disease for male and females respectively (GISAH, 2022).
(Matthew, 2021).
5. MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER
Synthetic Function
Production of plasma proteins(albumin, globulins), angiotensinogen,
lipoprotein depending on the cell status.
Detoxification and Excretion
Detoxifies by converting toxic Ammonia into a less toxic compound urea,
helps in excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol and drug metabolites.
Vitamin and Mineral Storage
The liver stores vitamins A,D,E,K and B12
Bile Production
The Bile consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes and water.
Bile is required by the small intestine the breakdown and digest fats.
(Elaine and Tim, 2018)
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7. RISK FACTORS
Generally, factors which affects the levels and patterns of alcohol
consumption and the magnitude of alcohol-related problems fall into two
categories:
A
B
(GISAH, 2022).
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Individual Factors
Societal Factors
8. Individual
Factors
Age
Gender
Family Circumstances
Socio-economic status
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Level of economic development
Culture
Social norms
Availability of alcohol
Implementation and enforcement
of alcohol policies
(GISAH, 2022).
RISK FACTORS(CONT’D)
9. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
The Liver function tests are also known as liver chemistries, that
helps determine the health of liver by measuring the levels of
proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in the blood (Alana and Daniel,
2022).
Noninvasive test methods used to detect hepatic injury (Mild or
severe; acute or chronic), nature of liver injury, assess hepatic
function and screening of liver dysfunction.
Helps in identifying general types of disorders associated with the
liver (Alana and Daniel, 2022).
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10. Liver Function Tests
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Albumin
Bilirubin
Ammonia
Hepatitis A tests
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis C tests
Prothrombin Time (PT)
Partial Thromboplastin Time(PTT)
(Carol, 2021).
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11. Classification of LTFs
Group 1: Markers of Liver dysfunction
• Serum Bilirubin: total and unconjugated bilirubin
• Urine: bile salts and urobilinogen
• Total protein, serum albumin and albumin/globulin ratio
• Prothrombin Time
Group 2: Markers of hepatocellular injury
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
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12. Classification of LTFs (cont’d)
Group 3: Markers of Cholestasis
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
• Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
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13. Liver Function Tests
Alanine Aminotransferase ALT Test:
• A higher result than typical on this test can be a sign of liver damage.
• An ALT above 25 international units/per litre (IU/L) in females and 33
IU/L in males typically requires further testing and evaluation.
• A very high levels over 1000units/Litre are most often caused by viral
hepatitis, Ischemic hepatitis, or injury from drugs or other chemicals
(Daniel, 2022).
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14. Liver Function Tests
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) Test:
• A high result on AST test might indicate a problem with the liver or
muscles.
• Elevated AST without elevated ALT may indicate heart or muscle
diseases.
• If ALT, Bilirubin and ALP are also elevated, it may indicate liver
damage.
• The typical range for AST is usually up to36U/L in adults and may be
higher in infants and young children (Alana and Daniel, 2022).
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15. Liver Function Tests
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test:
• High levels of ALP may indicate liver inflammation, blockage of the
bile ducts or bone diseases.
• Children and Adolescent may have elevated levels of ALP because
their bones are growing.
• Pregnancy can also raised ALP levels.
• The typical range for ALP in adults is usually 20-140IU/L
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16. Liver Function Tests
Albumin Test:
A low result on this test can indicate that the liver is not functioning
properly. This occur in diseases such as cirrhosis, malnutrition and
cancer.
The typical range for albumin is 35-50grams/litre(g/L).
However, low albumin can also a result of poor nutrition, kidney
disease, infection and inflammation
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17. Liver Function Tests
Bilirubin Test:
• A high result on the bilirubin tests may indicate that the liver isn’t
functioning properly.
• Elevated bilirubin level with elevated ALT or AST may suggest
cirrhosis or hepatitis.
• The typical range for total bilirubin is usually 0.1-
1.2milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL).
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18. Making references to a study conducted on liver enzymes among alcohol
drinkers by Teddy et al.(2021). It was evident that there was a significant rise in
AST (23.4+/-19.7) and GGT (42.3+/-23.8) among the chronic alcohol drinking
subjects compared with the nondrinking subjects.
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(Teddy et al., 2021)
19. CONCLUSION
Health, safety and socioeconomic problems attributable to alcohol
consumption and it effect on the liver functions can be reduced when
governments formulate and implement appropriate policies.
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20. RECOMMENDATION
Policy makers are encouraged to take actions on strategies that have
shown to be cost- effective. These include;
Regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol.
Enacting appropriate drink-driving policies
Reducing demand through taxation and pricing mechanisms
Ensuring support for effective alcohol policies
Providing accessible and affordable treatment for people with
alcohol-use disorders
Implementing screening and brief intervention programmes in health
services for hazardous and harmful drinking.
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21. REFERENCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022)
Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH,
2022)
World Health Organization (WHO, 2022)
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