First comprehensive Literature Review on the Burden of Liver Disease in Europe

The report is the result of a review of 260 epidemiological studies published in the last five years in order to survey the current state of evidence on the burden of liver disease in Europe and its causes.

Speaking immediately before a lunch event last week in the European Parliament, Prof. Mark Thursz, EASL Secretary- General, noted that “although the incidence and prevalence of liver disease is potentially amendable to prevention and treatment. This means we all have an opportunity to make a difference, through implementing the right policy changes. The report shows us the importance of tackling the excessive consumption of alcohol which is the leading cause of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.”

• Approximately 29 million people in the European Union still suffer from a chronic liver condition
• Liver cirrhosis is responsible for an estimated 170,000 death per year in Europe
• Liver cancer is responsible for around 47,000 deaths per year in the EU
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (constituting 70-90% of cases of primary liver cancer) is the fifth most common cause of cancer in Europe

Alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis B and C and metabolic syndromes related to overweight and obesity are the leading causes of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer in Europe.

Alcohol is the main cause of liver disease, including liver cirrhosis.

Download “The Burden of Liver Disease in Europe: A review of available epidemiological data” report

Primary source: EASL