Semin Liver Dis 2004; 24(3): 217-232
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832936
Published in 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Epidemiology of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Sarathy Mandayam1 , M. Mazen Jamal1 , Timothy R. Morgan1 , 2
  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California, and University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
  • 2Chief of Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology, VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California, and University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 September 2004 (online)

Alcohol is one of the main causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide, and alcoholic liver disease is the second most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States. Beginning in the 1970s, there was a gradual decline in alcoholic cirrhosis-related mortality in many countries. However, in the past few years, alcoholic liver disease mortality rates in several countries have stabilized or started to increase. There are significant ethnic and gender differences in alcoholic cirrhosis-related mortality rates. Furthermore, alcohol use increases the risk for liver disease in those infected with hepatitis C. A better understanding of the epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease will allow for improved diagnosis and management of this common problem.

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Timothy R MorganM.D. 

Division of Gastroenterology, VA Medical Center

5901 E. Seventh Street-111

Long Beach, CA 90822

Email: timothy.morgan@med.va.gov