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Question 8#

A patient presents with painless jaundice, and is found to have cirrhosis. They have no history of alcohol abuse, but do note a history of diabetes mellitus and pseudogout. They also mention that multiple members of their family have suffered from cirrhosis. What is the most likely etiology for their cirrhosis?

A. Alcohol abuse
B. Wilson disease
C. α1-antitrypsin deficiency
D. Hemochromatosis

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Chronic hepatitis C infection is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Other etiologies include alcohol abuse, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and autoimmune diseases (primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis). Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most common metabolic cause of cirrhosis, and should be suspected if a patient presents with skin hyperpigmentation, diabetes mellitus, pseudogout, cardiomyopathy, or a family history of cirrhosis.