The Steatorrhoea of Chronic Liver Disease without Jaundice

Abstract

Measurements of faecal fat in a group of patients with chronic liver disease have shown that steatorrhoea is common. The steatorrhoea appears related to the severity of the liver dysfunction, and it is suggested that this may be related to abnormalities of bile salt production. Steatorrhoea should be considered in the explanation of the malnutrition occurring in patients with chronic liver disease.

Key-words:

• Hypertension, portal
• jaundice
• liver cirrhosis
• malabsorption syndromes
• serum albumin
• steatorrhoea