Liver disease can often go unnoticed due to the signs and symptoms being "silent" or minimal in the early stages.
New data released by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has revealed there's been a 22% increase in liver disease hospital admissions in England in the last year. There were a total of 82,290 admissions in 2022 compared to 67,458 in 2021.
Hospital admissions due to liver disease have increased by almost 47% compared to 10 years ago. The data also shows people in deprived groups in England are more likely to develop, be hospitalised by, and die from liver disease than others.
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Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Policy at the British Liver Trust, said "These figures once again demonstrate how action is needed. The British Liver Trust is calling for a prompt and comprehensive review of adult liver services to address the huge variation and inequalities in liver disease treatment outcomes and care.
"The surge in hospital admissions emphasises the urgent need for immediate action to tackle the growing burden of liver disease on the NHS and society as a whole."
Liver disease often remains silent in its early stages, with minimal to no symptoms. According to the NHS website, symptoms that do appear can include feeling very tired and weak all the time, loss of appetite, loss of sex drive and yellow skin and whites of the eyes.
Other symptoms may include itchy skin, or feeling or being sick. The disease is almost entirely preventable with the major risk factors being alcohol, obesity and hepatitis B and C accounting for up to 90% of cases.
Three-quarters of people are diagnosed with cirrhosis, the most severe form of liver disease, when it is often too late for effective intervention or treatment. If diagnosed early, disease progression can be halted and sometimes reversed.
Recognising the severity of the situation, the British Liver Trust is asking the government to prioritise investment in prevention and early diagnosis of liver disease.
Vanessa Hebditch said: "Addressing the root causes of liver disease, such as alcohol misuse and obesity, should be at the forefront of the government's agenda. By allocating resources to education, raising awareness, and promoting healthier lifestyles, we can collectively work towards reducing the burden of liver disease and improving the well-being of individuals across the country."
For more information and resources visit the British Liver Trust's website at www.britishlivertrust.org.uk.
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