Corticosteroid therapy for alcoholic liver failure complicated by risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report
10.12025/j.issn.1008-6358.2026.20260342
- VernacularTitle:糖皮质激素治疗合并消化道出血风险的酒精性肝衰竭1例报告
- Author:
Tong ZHU
1
;
Huixian WU
1
;
Zhanyi YUE
1
;
Hao XU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Infectious Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai 200433, China.
- Publication Type:Clinicalcaseanalysis
- Keywords:
subacute liver failure;
glucocorticoid;
alcohol-related liver injury;
gastrointestinal bleeding
- From:
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine
2026;33(5):911-915
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
A 56-year old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to “fatigue accompanied by yellow staining of the skin and sclera” for one week. The patient had a history of heavy alcohol consumption for over 30 years, consuming an average of approximately 150 mL of 40%vol alcohol daily. Upon admission, liver function tests revealed a total bilirubin level of 292.6 μmol/L, alanine aminotransferase of 716.0 U/L, and a prothrombin time of 14.6 s. Imaging examinations indicated liver cirrhosis, splenomegaly, and ascites. After admission, the patient received comprehensive treatment including hepatoprotective and cholagogic therapy for over one week. However, bilirubin levels continued to rise progressively. After excluding causes such as viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver disease, the patient was diagnosed with subacute alcoholic liver failure. Gastroscopy revealed multiple gastric ulcers, posing a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Under close monitoring, a short course of low-dose methylprednisolone therapy (starting at 40 mg/d) was initiated for a total of 12 d. On day 7 of corticosteroid therapy, the Lille score was 0.142, indicating a complete response (effective corticosteroid therapy), and the liver function gradually improved. During the treatment, the patient developed progressive thrombocytopenia (reaching a nadir of 35.0×109/L), which was resolved after treatment with Leucogen and recombinant human thrombopoietin. Follow-up after discharge showed normal liver function and blood routine tests. This case suggests that a short course of low-dose glucocorticoid therapy is a safe and feasible option for patients with alcoholic liver failure complicated by a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, under the premise of fully assessing the risks and benefits and closely monitoring clinical indicators.
