Global burden of liver disease: 2023 update

Liver disease accounts for two million deaths annually and is responsible for 4% of all deaths (1 out of every 25 deaths worldwide); approximately two-thirds of all liver-related deaths occur in men. Deaths are largely attributable to complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with acute hepatitis accounting for a smaller proportion of deaths. The most common causes of cirrhosis worldwide are related to viral hepatitis, alcohol, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatotropic viruses are the aetiological factor in most cases of acute hepatitis, but drug-induced liver injury increasingly accounts for a significant proportion of cases. This iteration of the global burden of liver disease is an update of the 2019 version and focuses mainly on areas where significant new information is available like alcohol-associated liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We also devote a separate section to the burden of liver disease in Africa, an area of the world typically neglected in such documents. & COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association for the Study of the Liver.

Automated summary

Liver disease causes two million deaths annually, accounting for 4% of all deaths worldwide, with a higher prevalence among men. The main causes of death are complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, while acute hepatitis contributes to a smaller proportion. The major factors leading to cirrhosis globally are viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Drug-induced liver injury is also becoming a significant cause of acute hepatitis. This updated version of the global burden of liver disease focuses on new information related to alcohol-associated liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, it gives attention to liver disease burden in the often overlooked region of Africa.