Chronic active hepatitis is a progressive destructive liver disease that eventually leads to what condition?

Chronic active hepatitis is characterized by ongoing inflammation of the liver that can lead to progressive scarring or fibrosis. This condition gradually results in cirrhosis, which is the end stage of chronic liver disease. In cirrhosis, normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, leading to loss of liver function and structure. The extensive damage and slow progression mean that patients may remain asymptomatic for years before developing complications related to the loss of liver function.

Cirrhosis can result from various causes, including chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, alcohol abuse, and metabolic diseases. Once cirrhosis develops, the liver becomes significantly compromised, leading to complications such as portal hypertension, liver failure, and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, commonly known as hepatoma. However, the direct endpoint of chronic active hepatitis, in its progression, is cirrhosis. Therefore, recognizing chronic active hepatitis as a precursor to cirrhosis is critical in understanding the disease's potential health impacts.