Alcohol associated liver disease 2020: A clinical practice guideline by the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF)

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder which includes alcohol abuse and dependence represents one of the leading risk factors for premature mortality in Europe and it is responsible of over 200 conditions, including neuropsychiatric disorders, chronic diseases, cancers and accidents leading to permanent disability. Alcohol use disorder represents the most common cause of liver damage in the Western world, with a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. The present clinical practice guidelines by the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) are focused on the current knowledge about epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of alcohol associated liver disease, aiming to provide practical recommendations on the management of this complex pathological condition.

Keywords: Alcohol abstinence; Alcohol associated liver disease; Alcohol use disorder; Alcoholic hepatitis; Binge drinking; Liver damage; Liver transplantation; Psychosocial interventions; Treatment.