Chronic Liver Disease

Introduction

The causes of chronic liver disease cover a wide range of congenital or acquired abnormalities, although alcohol abuse remains the predominant cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Most liver disease is preventable and amenable to public health interventions which address excess alcohol consumption/binge drinking, and obesity. 

Facts and figures

The directly standardised mortality rate (in this case per 100,000 population) is calculated to allow comparison between geographies of different population sizes and with different gender and age make ups. As displayed in Figure 1, Blackpool's mortality rate from liver disease and cirrhosis (36.6 per 100,000 all ages) is the highest in the country when compared to other local authorities and over twice that of England's (17.4) (2022-24). 

Figure 1 - mortality from chronic liver disease including cirrhosis 2022-24 (all ages) - lower tier local authority Source: OHID, Mortality Profile

 Figure 2 shows the trend in mortality from chronic liver disease, comparing Blackpool to the North West and England and Wales. Nationally and in the North West there has been an increase in mortality from chronic liver disease, but this increase has been particularly marked in Blackpool, especially amongst males. This is the most up-to-date data available for this indicator. 

Figure 2 - trend in mortality from cirrhosis and other liver diseases (all ages) 2001 - 2024

Risk factors

There are a variety of risk factors and diseases that cause chronic liver disease. The three commonest risk factors for chronic liver disease are excessive alcohol consumption; blood borne viruses, in particular hepatitis B and C; and obesity. An individual with more than one risk factor (e.g. hepatitis C, obesity, or excess alcohol consumption) can further increase their risk of chronic liver disease.¹

[1] NHS, Liver Disease