Liver Disease Facts

There are many misconceptions about liver disease even though millions of people suffer from it worldwide. The following are some statisistic and facts regarding liver disease and damage.

 

• In 2005, nearly 13,000 people died due to liver related conditions in the UK.
• Up to 2 million individuals are currently suffering from chronic liver disease in the UK, many of whom are unaware of their condition.
• Liver disease is the fifth biggest killer in the UK.
• The liver is responsible for filtering over a one litre of blood per minute, removing toxins such as cigarette smoke, air pollutants, alcohol, pesticides, environmental chemicals and prescription drugs.
• The UK is the only major developed country showing an increase in the number of deaths from liver disease in recent years.
• The cost to the National Health Service due to alcohol misuse has been estimated at £1.7 billion each year.
• Deaths from chronic liver disease have increased by eight times in men aged 35-44yrs and seven times in women, over the past 30 years
• The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.

• Nearly 40,000 people are admitted to hospital with alcoholic liver disease each year in England
• Cirrhosis is an irreversible condition marked by the accumulation of scar tissue in the liver. Cirrhosis can be caused by alcohol consumption or hepatitis.
• While alcoholic liver disease is found mostly in alcoholics, it also occurs in people who are only social drinkers.
• In 2005 over 4,00 people died in England and Wales from alcoholic liver disease, an increase of 37% since 1999
• Permanent liver damage can be the result of excessive chemical or toxin exposure. This sort of liver damage can manifest as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or liver tumors.

• Between 1996 and 2005 the number of deaths per year in England from end stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma with any mention of hepatitis C on the death certificate increased by 100%.
• About 20% of people with chronic infection will eventually develop severe liver damage, which can lead to liver cancer or liver failure and the need for liver transplantation.
• In the UK and Ireland 649 liver only transplants took place between April 2005 to April 2006.
• Between 2000 and 2005 there were over 4,200 liver only transplants.