Liver Disease Emerging as Major Killer

Deaths from liver disease in the UK are on the rise, according to a report by the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, with numbers going up by 25 percent between 2001 and 2009 in England.

The report highlights that 60 per cent of deaths from liver disease occurred among men and 40 per cent among women.

The most common type of death is alcohol-related liver disease, which accounts for well over a third, 37 per cent of all liver disease deaths. However, the prevalence of deaths from alcohol-related liver disease varies greatly between males (41 per cent of liver disease deaths) and females (30 per cent of liver disease deaths).

Researchers also found that alcohol-related liver disease is more common in the most deprived areas where 44% of liver disease deaths occur.

Professor Julia Verne, lead author of the report and clinical lead for the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, said the report provides the first summary of key facts on deaths from liver disease, on which future discussions can be built.

According to her, it is crucial that commissioners and providers of health and social care services know the prevalence of liver disease in their local areas, so that more people can receive the care they need to allow them to die in the place of their choosing.