ScotPHO Liver Disease

Statistical Publication Notice

23 February 2010

Chronic liver disease (ScotPHO website)

INTRODUCTION

KEY POINTS

• From 1993 to 2003, there was a sharp increase in chronic liver disease (CLD) mortality rates in both men and women.
• The highest rise in CLD mortality rates was seen in the 30-39 age groups, with an almost five fold increase since 1984.
• In the last twenty years there has been a four fold increase in CLD hospital discharge rates in men and threefold increase in discharge rates among women.
• Among women the largest increase in CLD hospital discharge rates was in the 25-29 age group; with a 7 fold increase between 1984-88 and 2004-2008.
• Men living in the most deprived areas are 11 times more likely to die from CLD and women six times more likely than those living in the least deprived areas.
• The CLD mortality rate in Scotland has been increasing steadily over the last 30 yrs in contrast to the majority of European countries where CLD death rates have been decreasing.

DETAILED FINDINGS

Chronic liver disease mortality

• In 2008, there were 1059 CLD deaths in Scotland (692 in men and 367 in women)
• There was little change in the CLD mortality rate in Scotland between 1982 and1992.
• From 1993 to 2003 there was a sharp increase in CLD mortality rates in both men and women; for men the mortality rate increased from 11.19 per 100 000 population to 29.14 per 100 000 and for women from 6.47 per 100 000 to 13.33 per 100 000
• Over the last 5 years mortality rates for CLD have declined very slightly though rates have fluctuated. A decrease in rates was only observed in men, whereas in women there has been a slight rise.
• There has been an almost five fold increase in CLD mortality rates in those aged between 30-39 yrs of age.

Chronic liver disease hospital discharges

• In 2008, there were 9,072 CLD hospital discharges in Scotland (5,628 in men and 3,444 in women)
• There was a steady increase in CLD hospital discharge rates in Scotland between 1982-1988
• Between 1989 and 2008, there was a four fold increase in CLD hospital discharge rates in men and threefold increase in discharge rates among women: in men from 52.16 per 100 000 population to 203.40 per 100 000 and for women, from 36.85 per 1000 to 113.60 per 100 000
• Among women the largest increase in CLD hospital discharge rates was in the 25-29 age group; from 1984-88 to 2004-2008, there was 7 fold increase in CLD discharge rates (from 5.03 per 100, 000 population to 37.16 per 100 000)
• Among men, the largest increases in CLD hospital discharge rates were in the 35-39 and 50-54 age groups with an almost 5 fold increase

Chronic liver disease and deprivation

• Men living in the most deprived areas were over 11 times more likely to die from CLD and 8 times more likely to have a CLD hospital discharge than men living in the least deprived areas
• Women living in the most deprived areas were over 6 times more likely to die from CLD and 5 times more likely to have a CLD hospital discharge than women living in the least deprived areas

International comparisons

• The CLD mortality rate in Scotland has been increasing steadily over the last 30 yrs in contrast to the majority of European countries where CLD death rates have been decreasing.

MAIN CONTACTS:

Ian Grant
Principal Researcher
Scottish Public Health Observatory
ian.grant@nhs.net
0131 275 6324

Colin Fischbacher
Head of ScotPHO Programme
0131 275 7063
colin.fischbacher@nhs.net

GLOSSARY:

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is characterised by scarring and destruction of the liver tissue. There are a variety of risk factors and diseases that cause chronic liver disease. The three commonest risk factors for CLD are excessive alcohol consumption; blood borne viruses, in particular Hepatitis B and C, and obesity.

PRE-RELEASE ACCESS:

HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:

Last Published: First publication of data
Next Due: February 2011
Data Available Since: Trend data goes back to 1982

Main contact: Ian Grant

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