Liver disease in the elderly

Despite several morphologic and functional changes that have been described in the aging liver, most relevant studies fail to identify a significant a ge-related deficit in liver function in humans. One of the important age-re lated changes is a decrease in regenerative capacity, which may partly expl ain the impaired recovery after severe viral and toxic injury in the elderl y. Nevertheless, livers from older subjects are used successfully for trans plantation. Substantial morbidity and mortality in the elderly is attributa ble to liver diseases, and the number of patients older than 65 years of ag e with chronic liver disease is increasing rapidly. Although there are no l iver diseases specific to advanced age, the presentation, clinical course a nd management of liver diseases in the elderly may differ in important resp ects from those of younger individuals.