Health experts have sounded the alarm over a potentially fatal condition that often goes undetected in its initial stages, leading to tens of thousands of hospitalisations annually in Britain. Data reveals that hospital admissions for liver disease jumped by 22 per cent in just one year.
NHS figures indicate there were 82,290 admissions due to liver disease in England in 2022, a significant rise from 67,458 in 2021. Moreover, compared to a decade ago, there has been an alarming 47 per cent increase in liver disease admissions.
In light of these statistics, the British Liver Trust called for immediate action to combat the escalating rates of liver disease throughout England. The charity warned that liver disease frequently remains asymptomatic in its early phases, “exhibiting minimal to no symptoms”.
It also pointed out that the condition is “almost entirely preventable”, with major risk factors such as alcohol, obesity, and hepatitis B and C contributing to up to 90 per cent of cases. Alarmingly, three-quarters of those diagnosed with the disease are found to have cirrhosis, the most advanced stage of liver disease, at which point it is often too late for effective treatment or intervention.
Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, commented: “These figures once again demonstrate how action is needed. The British Liver Trust is calling for a prompt and comprehensive review of adult liver services to address the huge variation and inequalities in liver disease treatment outcomes and care.
“The surge in hospital admissions emphasises the urgent need for immediate action to tackle the growing burden of liver disease on the NHS and society as a whole.”
The trust is pressing the Government to “prioritise investment in prevention and early diagnosis of liver disease”. Ms Hebditch outlined further steps: “Addressing the root causes of liver disease, such as alcohol misuse and obesity, should be at the forefront of the Government’s agenda.”
“By allocating resources to education, raising awareness, and promoting healthier lifestyles, we can collectively work towards reducing the burden of liver disease and improving the well-being of individuals across the country.”
Symptoms
The NHS warns that most types of liver disease “do not cause any symptoms in the early stages”. The health body says: “Once you start to get symptoms of liver disease, your liver is already damaged and scarred. This is known as cirrhosis.”
Symptoms of cirrhosis include:
- Feeling very tired and weak all the time
- Loss of appetite – which may lead to weight loss
- Loss of sex drive (libido)
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Itchy skin
- Feeling or being sick.
If you experience any symptoms of cirrhosis you should speak to your GP.
Prevention
The three main causes of liver disease are:
- Obesity
- An undiagnosed hepatitis infection
- Alcohol misuse.
You can reduce your risk of many types of liver disease with some simple lifestyle changes such as:
- Trying to maintain a healthy weight
- Not drinking too much alcohol.
Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. These are recommended if you’re at risk.