Drug-induced liver injury 2017: the diagnosis is not easy but always to keep in mind

G. Marrone, F.G. Vaccaro, M. Biolato, L. Miele, A. Liguori, C. Araneo, F.R. Ponziani, N. Mores, A. Gasbarrini, A. Grieco

Gastroenterology Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. giusmarrone@gmail.com

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• Gastroenterology
• Toxicology

A drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is defined as a liver injury caused by exposure to a drug or a non-infectious toxic agent with a variable degree of organ dysfunction. A better understanding of DILI epidemiology has been obtained in recent years with the institution of international registries in the United States and Europe. Despite the advances in the understanding and characterization of the phenomenon, DILI remains an exclusion diagnosis so, probability scores and the analysis of literature reports are useful tools in dealing with a suspected DILI. Idiosyncratic DILI can be considered a relatively rare event but it is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure. Thus, proper management is essential to avoid serious consequences. Here, we present an updated review of diagnostic and classification criteria of DILI. Prognostic tools, and principles of management and therapy have also been briefly discussed.

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