A new USC study finds advanced liver scarring has nearly tripled among Americans who drink heavily — even as overall drinking habits remain stable.
A new study from Keck Medicine of USC has revealed a troubling spike in severe liver disease among American heavy drinkers, particularly women, older adults, and those with obesity or diabetes.
Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study analyzed data from over 44,000 adults between 1999 and 2020. It found that cases of advanced liver scarring in heavy drinkers jumped from 1.8% to 4.3% in two decades.
“The fact that the risk not only increased but that it more than doubled — almost tripled — is really astonishing,” said Dr. Brian Lee, the study’s lead author.
Heavy drinking is defined as more than 1.5 drinks per day for women and 2 for men. Though overall alcohol consumption levels remained stable, researchers observed an increase in metabolic conditions — and in the number of women and minorities drinking heavily.
“Liver disease is silent,” Lee warned. “Most people won’t have any symptoms.”
Experts urge a re-evaluation of the U.S. drinking guidelines, noting that countries like Canada now recommend no more than two drinks per week.
Dr. Sammy Saab of UCLA, not involved in the study, called it “a call to action” for clinicians and researchers to respond to the growing public health crisis.