Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

partners.
cirrhosis
Liver disease characterized by irre-
versible scarring. Alcohol and viral hepatitis, includ-
ing both hepatitis B and hepatitis C, are among the
many causes of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can cause yel-
lowing of the skin (jaundice), itching, and fatigue.
Diagnosis is suggested by physical examination and
chronic phase
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blood tests, and it can be confirmed by liver biopsy.
Complications of cirrhosis include mental confu-
sion, coma, fluid accumulation (ascites), internal
bleeding, and kidney failure. Treatment is designed
to limit any further damage to the liver and to pre-
vent complications. Liver transplantation is becom-
ing an important option for patients with advanced
cirrhosis.
cirrhosis, primary biliary
A scarring liver dis-
ease caused by an abnormality of the immune sys-
tem. Small bile ducts within the liver become
inflamed and obliterated from scarring. Backup of
bile causes intense skin itching and yellowing of the
skin (jaundice). Lack of bile decreases absorption
of calcium and vitamin D, leading to osteoporosis.
See also 
cirrhosis.
citrulline antibody
An immune protein (anti-
body) that binds to a non-standard amino acid, cit-
rulline, which is formed by removing amino groups
from the natural amino acid, arginine. Citrulline
antibody is present in the blood of many patients
with rheumatoid arthritis. It is used in the diagnosis
of rheumatoid arthritis when evaluating patients
with unexplained joint inflammation. Also known as
anti-citrulline antibody, anti-cyclic citrullinated pep-
tide antibody, CCP antibody, and anti-CCP antibody.