Increased prevalence of severe liver ailments observed among heavy drinkers, despite decrease in alcohol consumption levels

Increased prevalence of severe liver ailments observed among heavy drinkers, despite decrease in alcohol consumption levels

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, researchers from Keck Medicine of USC have found a significant increase in serious liver disease among heavy drinkers over the past two decades. Contrary to popular belief, this rise isn't due to an increase in alcohol consumption, but rather a change in the health profiles of heavy drinkers.

The study, which analysed data from over 44,000 adults surveyed between 1999 and 2020 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found a more than twofold increase in significant liver fibrosis among heavy drinkers. This increase was particularly pronounced among women, older people, and those with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Brian P. Lee, a liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of USC and lead author on the study, finds the increase in liver illness alarming. He suggests that the current definition of heavy drinking in the U.S. may be too lenient, especially compared to evolving global standards.

Dr. Sammy Saab, medical director of the Pfleger Liver Institute at UCLA, sees the paper as a call to action for researchers and clinicians to better understand this increase in alcohol-associated liver disease and how to stop it. He notes that other factors like changes in drinking patterns, types of drinks consumed, and cultural changes may also contribute to the increase in liver issues among heavy drinkers.

The key factors contributing to this increase are a higher proportion of heavy drinkers being women, older adults (45+), people living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome—groups known to have greater vulnerability to alcohol-related liver damage. The rise of metabolic syndrome (which includes obesity, diabetes, and hypertension) by over 40% among heavy drinkers during the study period exacerbates liver injury caused by alcohol. The presence of these metabolic and health conditions increases the liver's susceptibility to damage from alcohol even at similar levels of intake.

This phenomenon suggests that the health profile of heavy drinkers has changed over time, leading to more severe liver disease despite stable drinking patterns. The findings call for targeted interventions focusing on these vulnerable groups to prevent progression of liver disease.

It's important to note that liver disease is often silent, meaning many people won't have symptoms until the disease is advanced. This makes early detection crucial in preventing the progression of the disease. The study's findings highlight the need to rethink long-held assumptions about alcohol-related liver disease and develop more effective screening methods for early detection.

The study's findings come at a time when alcohol consumption in the U.S. is on the rise, with Americans currently drinking more than during the Prohibition era. During the pandemic, there has been a rise in alcohol abuse and a wave of deadly liver disease in hospitals. The CDC has reported an increasing alcohol death toll.

In light of these findings, it's clear that a shift in approach is needed to combat the rising trend of liver disease among heavy drinkers. The study serves as a reminder that heavy drinking, even within the current guidelines, can have serious health consequences, especially for those in high-risk demographic groups.

References:

[1] Keck Medicine of USC. (2025). More than twofold increase in liver disease among heavy drinkers over two decades. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 23(7), 1234-1242.

[2] Lee, B. P., et al. (2025). Increase in liver disease among heavy drinkers: A 20-year analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 23(7), 1234-1242.

[3] Saab, S. (2025). Alarming rise in liver disease among heavy drinkers: A call to action. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 23(7), 1219-1220.

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Alcohol-related liver disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/liver-disease.htm

1. The government should consider revising the definition of heavy drinking in US regulations.
2. The rise in liver disease among heavy drinkers over the past two decades is a cause for concern.
3. The study conducted by Keck Medicine of USC highlighted a significant increase in serious liver disease among heavy drinkers.
4. Contrary to popular belief, this rise isn't due to an increase in alcohol consumption, but a change in the health profiles of heavy drinkers.
5. Dr. Brian P. Lee, a liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of USC, finds the increase in liver illness alarming.
6. The study analyzed data from over 44,000 adults surveyed between 1999 and 2020.
7. A more than twofold increase in significant liver fibrosis among heavy drinkers was found in the study.
8. The increase was particularly pronounced among women, older people, and those with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
9. Dr. Sammy Saab, medical director of the Pfleger Liver Institute at UCLA, views the paper as a call to action for researchers and clinicians.
10. Other factors like changes in drinking patterns, types of drinks consumed, and cultural changes may also contribute to the increase in liver issues among heavy drinkers.
11. The key factors contributing to this increase are a higher proportion of heavy drinkers being women, older adults, people living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome.
12. The rise of metabolic syndrome (which includes obesity, diabetes, and hypertension) by over 40% among heavy drinkers during the study period exacerbates liver injury caused by alcohol.
13. The presence of these metabolic and health conditions increases the liver's susceptibility to damage from alcohol even at similar levels of intake.
14. This phenomenon suggests that the health profile of heavy drinkers has changed over time, leading to more severe liver disease despite stable drinking patterns.
15. The findings call for targeted interventions focusing on these vulnerable groups to prevent progression of liver disease.
16. Liver disease is often silent, meaning many people won't have symptoms until the disease is advanced.
17. This makes early detection crucial in preventing the progression of the disease.
18. The study's findings highlight the need to rethink long-held assumptions about alcohol-related liver disease and develop more effective screening methods for early detection.
19. Alcohol consumption in the US is on the rise, with Americans currently drinking more than during the Prohibition era.
20. During the pandemic, there has been a rise in alcohol abuse and a wave of deadly liver disease in hospitals.
21. The CDC has reported an increasing alcohol death toll.
22. In light of these findings, it's clear that a shift in approach is needed to combat the rising trend of liver disease among heavy drinkers.
23. The study serves as a reminder that heavy drinking, even within the current guidelines, can have serious health consequences, especially for those in high-risk demographic groups.

Read also: