Development of severe alcohol related liver disease over four decades in Iceland: impact of increased access and use of alcohol

Abstract

Objective Limited data exist on the association between per capita alcohol consumption and incidence of alcohol related liver disease (ARLD). The aims were to analyse this relationship and assess prevalence of ARLD in Iceland and among patients treated for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and its impact on outcomes. Methods A retrospective study on all patients diagnosed with severe ARLD: alcohol related cirrhosis (ARC) and alcohol related hepatitis (ARH) in Iceland 1984–2020. Medical records were scrutinized for clinical features, severity of ARLD, proportion undergoing treatment for AUD, data on abstinence and long-term outcomes. Results A total of 314 patients, males 76%, median age 56 years, fulfilled the predetermined criteria for ARLD. Median MELD was 17, 73% with Child-Pugh B/C and 70/314 (22%) who had ARH. Incidence of ARLD increased from 0.77 cases per 100 000 inhabitants annually 1984–2000 to 6.1 per 100 000 in 2016–2020. Per capita alcohol consumption increased from 4.3 Liters to 7.5 L in in the same time periods. Overall 220/314 (70%) with ARLD had undergone treatment for AUD. Of all individuals who had AUD treatment during the study period (n = 21.845), 1% were diagnosed with ARLD. Patients who underwent treatment for AUD after the ARLD diagnosis had better prognosis than those who had treatment prior to ARLD diagnosis (hazard ratio 2.5 [95% CI 1.3–5.0]). Conclusions The incidence of ARLD increased 8-fold during the study period coinciding with 74% increase in per capita alcohol consumption. Patients with prior diagnosis of AUD had worse prognosis that needs special attention.