Alcohol-related liver diseases have been on the rise for years, with a recent acceleration in mortality rates for certain groups, including women, young adults, and Indigenous people. New data indicates that the surge in deaths seen in the early months of the pandemic has continued in subsequent years.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open paints a grim picture of the nation’s liver health. Between 2018 and 2022, there was an annual percentage change of nearly 9% in alcohol-associated liver disease deaths, compared to 3.5% between 2006 and 2018. While men still accounted for the majority of these deaths, women’s death rates increased significantly, with the annual percent change in mortality for women almost double that of men.
Researchers are particularly concerned about the rise in sudden and severe liver inflammation in young people. This trend, along with the overall increase in alcohol-associated liver disease mortality, has raised alarms among liver doctors and public health researchers.
Experts believe that underlying metabolic liver disease, often exacerbated by conditions like obesity and hypertension, may be contributing to the rise in alcohol-related liver diseases. Women, in particular, have a biological makeup that makes it harder for them to metabolize alcohol, leading to a greater impact on their bodies even with small amounts of alcohol consumption.
The study also revealed a significant increase in cirrhosis-related deaths, with cirrhosis mortality rates more than doubling between 1999 and 2022. Alcohol-related liver disease is now the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.
While some data suggest that drinking rates peaked in 2020 and have since decreased, the long-term consequences of alcohol-related liver diseases may not be fully realized for several years. Liver disease is just one of many health complications associated with heavy drinking, with alcohol linked to at least six different types of cancer.
The study’s analysis was based on U.S. death certificates listing alcohol-associated hepatitis or alcohol-associated cirrhosis as the underlying cause of death. However, the data did not account for deaths where alcohol was a contributing cause, potentially leading to a conservative estimate of the true impact of alcohol-related liver diseases.
The rise in alcohol-related liver disease mortality has not affected all groups equally, with women, young adults, and Indigenous people experiencing disproportionate increases in mortality rates. The disparities in liver health outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups have also widened, with Indigenous communities facing particularly high rates of alcohol-related liver diseases.
Overall, the study underscores the urgent need for public health interventions to address the growing burden of alcohol-related liver diseases in the U.S. Awareness campaigns, clearer labeling on alcoholic beverages, and targeted interventions to address underlying metabolic conditions and alcohol use disorders are crucial steps in combating this alarming trend.
