Heavy Drinking Linked to Dramatic Rise in Liver Fibrosis, Study Finds
A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals a concerning trend: a more than twofold increase in notable liver fibrosis among adults in the United States over two decades, a condition that can lead to liver failure and cancer.Researchers attribute this surge primarily to an increase in heavy drinking.
The study, which analyzed national health data from over 44,000 adults surveyed between 1999 and 2020, found that over 5% of participants were classified as heavy drinkers, as defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This group experienced a significant rise in liver fibrosis. In contrast, non-heavy drinkers saw a much smaller increase in the condition, rising from 0.8% to 1.4% during the same period.
Dr. Edward Lee,a researcher at Keck Medicine of USC and lead author of the study,highlighted the silent nature of liver disease. “Liver disease is silent,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “Most people won’t, even if they have [advanced liver scarring], have any symptoms at all.” this underscores the critical need for more effective screening methods for early detection.
The study also identified specific demographics most affected by this trend, noting that the increase in heavy drinking and subsequent liver fibrosis was most prevalent in women, older individuals, and those with pre-existing conditions such as obesity or diabetes. Dr.Lee expressed hope that the study’s findings will prompt patients to re-evaluate thier drinking habits and behaviors.
