How I treat… alcohol-related liver disease
- PMID: 30651244
- PMCID: PMC6399631
- DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.19-1-43
How I treat… alcohol-related liver disease
Abstract
Age-standardised mortality from liver disease in the United Kingdom has risen by 400% since 1970, with three-quarters of deaths from alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). The 2013 National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report found that only 47% of the patients dying in hospital from liver disease experienced 'good' care. We discuss common complications in the care of patients with ARLD and the evidence-based best practice that can improve patient outcomes, with a focus on the initial management of patients presenting acutely to the medical take.
Keywords: Alcohol; best practice; cirrhosis; decompensation; withdrawal; dependence.
© Royal College of Physicians 2019. All rights reserved.
References
-
- Williams R, Aspinall R, Bellis M, et al. Addressing liver disease in the UK: a blueprint for attaining excellence in health care and reducing premature mortality from lifestyle issues of excess consumption of alcohol, obesity, and viral hepatitis. Lancet 2014;384:1953–97. - PubMed
-
- Public Health England The public health burden of alcohol and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies: An evidence review. London: Public Health England, 2016. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa... [Accessed 14 July 2018].
-
- Office for National Statistics Alcohol related deaths 1994–2015. Newport: Office for National Statistics, 2017. www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/dea... [Accessed 14 July 2018].
-
- National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) Alcohol-related liver disease: measuring the units. NCEPOD, 2013. www.ncepod.org.uk/2013arld.html [Accessed 14 July 2018].
