The Liver Meeting 2021-Disease Burden and Disparities of Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD) in Special Populations

Disease Burden and Disparities of Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD) in Special Populations

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Video Summary

In summary, alcohol consumption plays a significant role in the development and progression of liver disease in various populations. The interaction of alcohol with chronic hepatitis C leads to synergistic liver injury, accelerating fibrosis progression, increasing risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality. The impact of alcohol on chronic hepatitis B also results in worsening liver outcomes including cirrhosis and HCC, despite treatment with antiviral therapy. In patients with HIV, alcohol misuse contributes to poorer health outcomes. Alcohol combined with cocaine forms a more toxic metabolite, cocaethylene, leading to cardiotoxicity. Limited data suggests that marijuana and caffeine consumption alongside alcohol may have varying impacts on liver health, with coffee showing some protective benefits. Overall, recognizing the harmful effects of alcohol in patients with viral hepatitis or other substance use disorders is crucial in managing and treating liver disease.

Keywords

alcohol consumption

liver disease

hepatitis C

cirrhosis

HCC

antiviral therapy

HIV

cocaine

cardiotoxicity

marijuana

caffeine

substance use disorders