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Follow-up monitoring of patients with liver cirrhosis by primary care physicians. Guidelines

https://doi.org/10.15829/3034-4123-2026-149

EDN: WGJZKB

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis remains one of the leading causes of mortality and disability among patients with gastrointestinal diseases. A significant proportion of cases are diagnosed at late stages, limiting effective treatment options and worsening the prognosis. The increasing incidence and high complication rate necessitate strengthening the primary care role in early detection, monitoring, and prevention of liver cirrhosis progression.

These guidelines systematize modern approaches to the management of patients with liver cirrhosis. The document presents diagnostic criteria, including clinical and paraclinical signs, as well as principles for a comprehensive patient assessment. A detailed follow-up algorithm is outlined, emphasizing the assessment of the patient's condition and the early decompensation detection. Particular attention is paid to the diagnosis and monitoring of complications (portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, etc.), interpretation of laboratory parameters, and the use of diagnostic methods. The principles of non-drug and drug therapy, preventive counseling, vaccination, and referral criteria for hospitalization and liver transplantation are discussed.

This document is intended for general practitioners, gastroenterologists, and other primary care specialists involved in providing care to patients with liver cirrhosis.

About the Authors

O. M. Drapkina
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine; Russian University of Medicine
Russian Federation

Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990; 
Dolgorukovskaya str., 4, Moscow, 127006



M. V. Maevskaya
I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Trubetskaya str., 8, bld. 2, Moscow, 119991



R. N. Shepel
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation

Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990



M. E. Zharova
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation

Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990



V. R. Grechishnikova
I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Trubetskaya str., 8, bld. 2, Moscow, 119991



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For citations:


Drapkina OM, Maevskaya MV, Shepel RN, Zharova ME, Grechishnikova VR. Follow-up monitoring of patients with liver cirrhosis by primary care physicians. Guidelines. Primary Health Care (Russian Federation). 2026;3(2S):6-58. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/3034-4123-2026-149. EDN: WGJZKB

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ISSN 3034-4123 (Print)
ISSN 3034-4565 (Online)