TBA (24W137)

Burden of Alcohol Related Liver disease Admissions over 6 years in Ireland

Author(s)

Foley C1,Russell J1, Stewart S1, Ryan JD2

Department(s)/Institutions

1. Liver Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 2. Hepatology Unit, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Introduction

Mortality from liver disease has increased 400% over 40 years in Ireland. Limited data exists on the contribution of alcohol related liver disease.

Aims/Background

This study aimed to examine alcohol related (ARLD) and non-alcohol related (Non-ARLD) liver disease admissions.

Method

National quality assurance and improvement system (NQAIS) inpatient admission (>/=1 day) data was reviewed from 1/1/2017 to 12/12/2023 for all 26 Model 3 & 4 General medical hospitals in Ireland. Demographics, in-patient mortality data, average length of stay (LOS), total bed days and total critical care bed days were calculated.

Results

There were a total of 19,298 inpatient hospital admissions as a result of liver disease across the 26 hospitals in 6 years. 54% of these were related to ARLD. ARLD accounted for 135,567 bed days and 8476 critical care bed days. Non-ARLD admissions comprised 92,556 bed days and 4024 critical care bed days. ARLD was associated with longer hospital stays with an average LOS of 13 days. Males accounted for 66% of ARLD and 48% of non-ARLD admissions. The median age was 54 years for ARLD and 64 years for non-ARLD. ARLD accounted for 1064 deaths, with an in-patient mortality rate of 10%. Non-ARLD admissions were associated with fewer deaths (537) and a lower inpatient mortality rate (5%).

Conclusions

ARLD poses a huge burden on the healthcare system. ARLD patients are younger, male, sicker and at increased risk of death compared to non-ARLD. Strategies to prevent and treat ARLD are urgently needed in Ireland.