The COVID-19 crisis was marked by a substantial increase in alcohol consumption, leading to a worrying uptick in hospitalizations owing to alcohol-induced hepatitis. A nationwide study points out that instances rose markedly in 2020, with younger individuals and females experiencing a significant spike.
A nationwide investigation discloses an unsettling increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis due to elevated alcohol sales throughout the COVID-19 crisis. This increase was notably visible among younger individuals, women, and individuals from lower-income demographics, underlining an immediate necessity for thorough treatment and the reduction of related stigma.
A pronounced increase in alcohol sales during the COVID-19 crisis appears to have had grave repercussions for some, as hospital admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis, a potentially deadly inflammation of the liver, skyrocketed. This is according to a recent analysis of national hospital admission data.
Researchers observed a growth in instances of alcohol-induced liver disease from 2016 through 2020, but the rise was particularly noticeable in 2020, the year COVID-19 emerged in the U.S., with a 12.4% increase over 2019 levels. It was particularly severe among younger patients, aged 18 to 44, a demographic that saw a near 20% leap in hospitalizations for alcohol-related hepatitis. The aftermath was also more critical, as in-hospital deaths escalated by 24.6% in 2020 compared to 2019.
National Crisis
While the issue has been mentioned informally and in regional studies, these results expose the expanding problem on a nationwide level, stated Dr. Kris Kowdley, professor at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the leading author of the study published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
“Severe liver disease seems to be climbing over time, but it seems to have surged even more sharply during the crisis,” said Kowdley, who also heads the Liver Institute Northwest. “We confirmed that admissions to the hospital due to alcohol-induced hepatitis increased consistently from 2016 to 2020. We also discovered that younger patients and women saw a larger increase in in-hospital mortality compared to their counterparts.”
The Disease and Its Impact
Roughly one-third of heavy, consistent drinkers — those consuming over four alcoholic drinks daily — are typically affected by alcohol-related hepatitis. Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, lack of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice. The illness can result in permanent liver damage, known as cirrhosis, and can be deadly.
Insights From Hospitalization Data
Using data from the National Inpatient Sample, which monitors hospitalizations in 37 states, the study discovered approximately 823,000 patients were hospitalized with this condition from 2016 to 2020, the most recent year data were accessible. While this group is relatively small compared to the U.S. population, researchers are worried about the rapid surge in cases and severity of outcomes.
In 2016, about 146,000 patients were hospitalized with alcohol-related hepatitis. This figure climbed to nearly 169,000 in 2019, reflecting a 5.1% yearly increase from 2016 levels. It then rose even more rapidly to over 190,000 in 2020, a 12.4% increase from 2019 levels.
Demographics and Economic Factors
While the condition is more prevalent in men, women experienced a greater increase, with a 14.6% rise between 2019 and 2020, compared to men at 12.2%. More cases were recorded in the U.S. South, but the West experienced the most significant surge.
Researchers also identified a change in economic status. Segmenting income into four quartiles, they found that between 2016 and 2019, the top two income groups had the highest increase in alcohol-related hepatitis. However, by 2020, this trend had reversed, and the lowest income group showed the largest surge in cases.
Addressing the Problem
“It’s probable that multiple factors contributed to a much higher rate of alcohol consumption during the crisis, such as social isolation and fewer restrictions on excessive drinking,” said Kowdley. “The association with lower income might be linked to stress, anxiety, and financial worries related to the crisis.”
Kowdley stated that the findings underscore a need for a multi-disciplinary approach to treat individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders, including mental health and behavioral therapy, nutritional counseling, and increased use of medications that help reduce alcohol cravings. It’s also vital to decrease the stigma associated with alcohol-related liver disease.
“We need to recognize and treat alcohol-related hepatitis as a disease like any other disease, and not stigmatize the patient suffering with this illness,” he said. “We must also be aware both as healthcare providers and patients that alcohol-related hepatitis can be a life-threatening disorder.”
Reference: “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol-related hepatitis admissions: Analysis of nationwide data 2016-2020” by Aalam Sohal, MD; Hunza Chaudhry, MD; Jay Patel, MD; Nimrat Dhillon, MBBS; Isha Kohli, MBBS; Dino Dukovic, BS; Marina Roytman, MD, FACP and Kris V. Kowdley, MD, FACP, FAASLD, FACG, AGAF, 12 June 2023, The American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2023.06.002
In addition to Kowdley, study authors include Dr. Aalam Sohal from the Liver Institute Northwest; Dr. Jay Patel of Orange Park Medical Centre; Nimrat Dhillon of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences; Isha Kohli of Mount Sinai; Dino Dukovic of Ross University and Dr. Hunza Chaudry and Dr. Marina Roytman both of the University of California, San Francisco.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alcohol-related Hepatitis
What is the main finding of the national study regarding alcohol-related hepatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The study found a significant surge in hospital admissions due to alcohol-related hepatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particularly pronounced increase among younger patients and women. This rise is attributed to the increased alcohol sales during the pandemic.
Which age group saw a major increase in alcohol-related hepatitis hospital admissions?
The age group between 18 to 44 years experienced a nearly 20% increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis, according to the national study.
What are some potential reasons for increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic?
Dr. Kris Kowdley suggests that factors like social isolation and fewer barriers to drinking excessively could have contributed to the higher rate of alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The connection with lower income may be related to stress, anxiety, and financial worries induced by the pandemic.
How has alcohol-related hepatitis affected women during the pandemic?
The condition, although more common in men, saw a larger increase in women with a 14.6% rise between 2019 and 2020, as per the national study.
What is the recommended approach to treat people suffering from alcohol use disorders?
The findings suggest a need for a multi-disciplinary approach that includes mental health and behavioral therapy, nutritional counseling, and increased use of medications that help reduce alcohol cravings. It’s also important to reduce the stigma associated with alcohol-related liver disease.
What is alcohol-related hepatitis, and what are its symptoms?
Alcohol-related hepatitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the liver typically affecting heavy, regular drinkers — those consuming more than four alcoholic drinks daily. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice. It can cause permanent liver damage, known as cirrhosis, and can be fatal.
More about Alcohol-related Hepatitis
- The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol’s Effects on the Body
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol and Public Health
- Mayo Clinic – Alcoholic hepatitis
- World Health Organization – Alcohol and COVID-19: what you need to know
6 comments
I see the statistic on lower income groups experiencing a rise in cases. Financial stress must’ve been a big factor. system is broken.
Reading about the effects on younger adults is seriously worrying. Didn’t know it was this bad. Need more info on how to combat this…
can’t believe what this pandemic has caused. not just the virus, but all these side effects like increase in alcohol abuse. its heartbreaking.
I find it strange that women have been more affected. Always thought this was more a man’s issue. Maybe the lockdown had them turning to the bottle more?
I agree with Dr. Kowdley – we need to get rid of the stigma around alcohol abuse. These are real people suffering. They need support, not judgement.
So important to focus on the mental health aspect. Many people drink to self-medicate, gotta tackle the root of the problem!