Diagnosis and Management of Early Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Society: AGA

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are often concomitant diseases. Compared to other liver disease, ALD often presents at an advanced stage and after presentation progresses faster to decompensation with a reduced patient survival. Further, majority of patients presenting with ALD cirrhosis have healthcare encounters with missed opportunities to screen for AUD and identify at risk individuals. Data are emerging showing association of alcohol use with the risk of cirrhosis on long-term follow up. Clearly, strategies are needed to identify at risk individuals, ALD in individuals with AUD, accurate biomarkers for diagnosis and severity of early ALD, and develop therapeutic interventions for AUD treatment and reduce the risk of development of cirrhosis in at risk individuals.