Global, regional, and national burden of liver cancer due... : European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (original) (raw)

Original articles: Hepatology

Global, regional, and national burden of liver cancer due to alcohol use, 1990–2021: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021

Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China

Received 9 October 2024 Accepted 22 October 2024.

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Correspondence to Zhuo Yang, MD, Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning Province, China, Tel: +86 02428897634; e-mail: [email protected]

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 37(4):p 466-476, April 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000002899

Background

Liver cancer is a major global health burden, with alcohol use being a well-established risk factor. This study aims to analyze the global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to liver cancer due to alcohol use from 1990 to 2021.

Methods

Data on liver cancer due to alcohol use were collected from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The changing trend of liver cancer among alcohol users was described using the linear regression model. In addition, we employed a hierarchical cluster analysis to study the evolving patterns across diverse GBD regions and conducted a frontier analysis to explore the nexus between the burden and sociodemographic progress.

Results

In 2021, alcohol-related liver cancer globally accounted for 99 544 incidence cases, 132 033 prevalence cases, 92 228 death cases, and 2 316 027 DALYs cases. Males and middle-aged adults emerged as high-risk populations, while regions with a higher sociodemographic index (SDI) were identified as high-risk areas. From 1990 to 2021, both the number of cases and age-standardized rates (ASRs) increased. Our frontier analysis revealed unattained health gains between 1990 and 2021, highlighting disparities in disease burden among countries with varying SDI levels. This analysis further demonstrated an inverse correlation between SDI and alcohol-related liver cancer ASRs, with the ASRs stabilizing once the SDI exceeded 0.40.

Conclusion

Alcohol use is a significant contributor to the global burden of liver cancer. Comprehensive policies and interventions targeting alcohol use are needed to reduce the burden of alcohol-related liver cancer.

Plain Language SummaryThis study examined liver cancer cases linked to alcohol use from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. In 2021, alcohol-related liver cancer resulted in 99,544 new cases, 132,033 existing cases, 92,228 deaths, and 2,316,027 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. Men and middle-aged adults are at higher risk, especially in regions with higher sociodemographic indices (SDI). The study found an increase in both case numbers and age-standardized rates over time, with disparities in disease burden across countries. It suggests that targeted policies to reduce alcohol consumption could help lower liver cancer rates.

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