The Effects of Alcohol on Other Chronic Liver Diseases

Clin Liver Dis. 2016 Aug;20(3):581-94. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2016.02.013. Epub 2016 Apr 5.

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is often a comorbid condition in other chronic liver diseases. It has been shown to act in synergy to increase liver injury in viral hepatitis, hereditary hemochromatosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), leading to an increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. Data suggest that modest alcohol consumption may be inversely related to the risk of developing NAFLD and lower rates of progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This article reviews data on the relationship between alcohol consumption and other chronic liver diseases.

Keywords: Alcohol; Cirrhosis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hemochromatosis / etiology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / etiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / etiology
  • Risk Factors