Liver Disease JSNA

Introduction

Liver disease encompasses over 100 conditions that impair liver function, including:

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Viral hepatitis (B and C)
Autoimmune and genetic disorders.

Liver disease is often referred to as a “silent killer” as symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages such as cirrhosis or liver failure1. Liver disease is one of the fastest-growing causes of premature death in the UK. Unlike other major diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer), liver disease mortality rates have increased by 400% since 19701. In England, 9,981 deaths were from liver disease in 2023, with half of these deaths occurring in mid-life (ages 45-64)2. In terms of working life lost (ages 16 to 64), in England and Wales diseases of the liver were in the top 2 leading causes for females in 2020 (28,000 years lost) and 4th top cause of working life lost for males (45,000 years)3.

Lifestyle factors such as alcohol misuse, obesity and viral infections account for up to 90% of liver disease cases4. Liver disease is largely preventable however three out of four patients are diagnosed in emergency settings which limits treatment options5. Liver disease disproportionately affects deprived communities with mortality rates up to 6 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least1.

The costs to the NHS for liver disease are estimated to exceed £17 billion annually and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the burden of liver disease with deaths increasing by 20% between 2019 and 20205.

Liver Disease JSNA

Introduction

Other JSNA topics this topic closely linked to: