Impact of alcohol on the progression of HCV-related liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Laura Llamosas-Falcón - , Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, University of Toronto (Author)
  • Kevin D. Shield - , University of Toronto (Author)
  • Maya Gelovany - , University of Toronto (Author)
  • Omer S.M. Hasan - , University of Toronto (Author)
  • Jakob Manthey - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Leipzig University (Author)
  • Maristela Monteiro - , Pan American Health Organization (Author)
  • Nick Walsh - , Pan American Health Organization (Author)
  • Jürgen Rehm - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, University of Toronto, University of Hamburg, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Author)

Abstract

Background & Aims: Despite a marked reduction in new cases of cirrhosis caused by HCV infection, over 500,000 new cirrhosis cases in this category were estimated globally in 2019. This contribution quantifies the relationship between alcohol use and the progression of liver disease in people with HCV infections. Methods: The causal impact of different levels of alcohol use on cirrhosis has previously been established. The quantification of this relationship was undertaken based on a systematic search of the literature and a meta-analysis. We limited our search to longitudinal and case-control studies with biologically verified outcomes. Different sensitivity analyses were conducted to check on key assumptions and on the generalizability of the relationship. Results: Alcohol use has a dose-dependent relationship with incident cirrhosis, which is linear on the log-linear level, and thus exponential on the level of odds ratios or other risk indicators. Each standard drink of 12 grams of pure alcohol per day increases the risk by about 11%. The results were stable regardless of the statistical model used, level of adjustment, quality of the study, or outcome (i.e., cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, liver-related death). Conclusions: Alcohol use has a marked impact on the progression of HCV infections to cirrhosis and more severe liver outcomes. Lay summary: Alcohol consumption has a significant impact on the progression of liver disease in people with HCV infections. Each alcoholic drink per day is associated with an increase in the risk of cirrhosis of 11%.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)536-546
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of hepatology
Volume75
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 33892007

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • alcohol use, cirrhosis, clinical consequences, decompensated cirrhosis, HCV, meta-analysis, systematic review