Definition of Cirrhosis:

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the final phase of chronic liver disease.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cirrhosis is the end result of chronic liver damage caused by chronic liver diseases. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include:

• Hepatitis C infection (long-term infection)
• Long-term alcohol abuse (see alcoholic liver disease)

Other causes of cirrhosis include:

• Autoimmune inflammation of the liver
• Disorders of the drainage system of the liver (the biliary system), such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Hepatitis B (long-term infection)
• Medications
• Metabolic disorders of iron and copper (hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease)
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)