Abstract
The decline in cirrhosis mortality in recent years in light of increases in cirrhosis morbidity, as reflected in hospital discharge data, is examined. Although there does not appear to be a single explanation for the decline in mortality, it is suggested that increased identification and treatment, as measured by substantial increases in the rates of hospitalization involving cirrhosis, may be a contributing factor. If, as suggested by hospitalization data that indicate a decreasing proportion of patients with cirrhosis die during their hospital stay, a major portion of the increase in cirrhosis admissions was for patients with less severe cases, these patients would be more responsive to treatment and would have a relatively better prognosis. The identification of contributing factors that may be responsible for the decline in cirrhosis mortality can provide support for the continuation of early diagnosis and treatment in already identified populations. The same kind of support can be extended to other population subgroups that have yet to show the same decline in cirrhosis mortality.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Grant B. F., Dufour M. C., Harford T. C. Epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease. Semin Liver Dis. 1988 Feb;8(1):12–25. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1040525. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hermos J. A. Drinking by alcoholic cirrhotic patients under medical care: a literature survey. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1984 May-Jun;8(3):314–318. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1984.tb05518.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hilton M. E., Clark W. B. Changes in American drinking patterns and problems, 1967-1984. J Stud Alcohol. 1987 Nov;48(6):515–522. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1987.48.515. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mann R. E., Smart R. G., Anglin L., Adlaf E. M. Reductions in cirrhosis deaths in the United States: associations with per capita consumption and AA membership. J Stud Alcohol. 1991 Jul;52(4):361–365. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1991.52.361. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Skog O. J. Interpreting trends in alcohol consumption and alcohol related damage. Alcohol Alcohol. 1988;23(3):193–202. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]