People with pre-existing health issues are at greater risk of developing advanced liver disease compared to those living with no medical conditions, latest research has highlighted.
Academics from Keck Medicine of USC have found that people with a high intake of alcohol are 2.4 times more likely to develop advanced liver disease if they already have type 2 diabetes or a high waist circumference.
High blood pressure was associated with a 1.8 times greater risk among heavy drinkers, the study has reported.
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First author Dr Brian P. Lee said: “The results identify a very high-risk segment of the population prone to liver disease and suggest that pre-existing health issues may have a large impact on how alcohol affects the liver.”
Prior research has discovered that type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and a high waist circumference can increase a person’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Latest figures have shown that one in three Americans are affected by poor cardiometabolic health.
Dr Lee noted: “Alcohol also causes fat buildup in the liver, and alcohol consumption has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In the trial, the team of researchers assessed the health data and drinking patterns of more than 40,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Heavy drinking was determined as 1.5 drinks a day for women and two drinks a day for men. The scientists found that the heavy drinkers with type 2 diabetes, a high waist circumference or high blood pressure were at greater risk of developing advanced liver disease.
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Dr Lee suggested: “These conditions share a common pathway to fat buildup in the liver that when combined with extra fat deposits in the liver from excessive alcohol, can cause significant damage.
“The study does not imply it is safe for those without these three cardiometabolic risks consuming large amounts of alcohol.”
He added: “We know that alcohol is toxic to the liver and all heavy drinkers are at risk for advanced liver disease.”
Read more in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
