End-stage liver disease in alcohol-dependent patients: Case report and overview on clinical management

This case report is about a 44-year-old woman with alcohol-related end-stage liver disease. Initial contact with the patient was made in the alcohol-outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna. Due to a particularly poor general condition, Child Pugh Score C/MELD Score 20, the patient was admitted to ward 4A, with the clinical and scientific focus of treating patients with alcohol use disorder. The withdrawal process was complicated by a multitude of factors associated with end-stage liver disease. By explaining the theoretical background of possible somatic as well as psychiatric complications of end-stage liver disease and elaborating on treatment options a comprehensive overview of the psychiatric and somatic management of this patient population is given.