Liver disease has been identified as the primary cause of death in patients diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease, especially in the years following their diagnosis. The risk of mortality is almost three times higher for those with decompensated cirrhosis. Here are the main points from the article:
Mortality Risk: Patients with alcohol-related liver disease face a 1-year mortality risk of 25%, even though their median age is relatively young at 60 years.
10-Year Risk Analysis: The 10-year risk for death from liver disease stands at 31.4%, compared to 11% from cancer. For those with decompensated cirrhosis, the 10-year mortality risk from liver disease is 46.7%, while it’s 16.2% for conditions like steatosis or unspecified liver disease.
Cancer-Related Deaths: Among the cancer-related deaths after 10 years, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the most common cause, followed by lung and oropharyngeal cancers.
Study Data: The study, conducted using data from nationwide health registries in Denmark, analyzed 23,385 adults diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease between January 2002 and December 2017. 66% of these patients had cirrhosis. During the follow-up period, 67% of the patients died.
Significance of Findings: The researchers emphasize the unique challenges faced by patients with alcohol-related liver disease, given the combination of chronic liver disease and the comorbidity of alcohol use disorder. They hope that their findings will spur further research into interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in patients with liver disease.