[Clinical, biochemical, and morphological characteristics of chronic hepatitis with various etiology].
AIM: To investigate clinicomorphological features in patients with chronic diffuse lesions of the liver with consideration of the etiological factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical, laboratory, serological and pathohistological examinations were performed in 67 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH). RESULTS: Out of 48 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), 32(66.6%) demonstrated association of hepatic lesion with alcohol or drug abuse. Knodell activity in the liver was prevalent in drug abusers with CVH. Fat dystrophy and high de Ritis index were typical for alcoholics. CONCLUSION: Viral hepatic lesions associated neither with alcohol nor drug abuse occur only in 1/3 of patients with CH.