Epidemiology of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Clin Liver Dis. 2021 Aug;25(3):483-492. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2021.03.009. Epub 2021 May 26.

Abstract

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a consequence of excessive alcohol use. It comprises a spectrum of histopathologic changes ranging from simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. The public health impact of ALD is growing because of an increase in the prevalence and incidence of ALD in parallel with liver transplant and mortalities. There are multiple factors involved in the pathogenesis and progression of ALD. Reducing alcohol consumption is the cornerstone of ALD management. The efforts to reduce excessive alcohol use at the individual and population levels are urgently needed to prevent adverse outcomes from ALD.

Keywords: Alcoholic; Epidemiology; Liver diseases; Public health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic* / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / etiology
  • Liver Transplantation*