Alcohol-related liver disease poses a major health concern in India. The present study is aimed to assess the drinking pattern, behavior and its association with liver disease in the Indian population.

The present study included 100 (96 males and 4 females) chronic alcoholic patients who presented with liver-related disease from 1st to 31st January, 2015. These patients had alcohol-related liver disease with a wide spectrum of injuries ranging from fatty liver to cirrhosis. Important laboratory and radiological investigations were conducted in these patients.

The results showed that out of 100 patients, 90% of them were consuming alcohol from the age of 18–20 yrs. Alcohol-related liver disease happened at 28–32 years of age in 80% of patients. Among these, 94% of patients presented for the first time with decompensated chronic liver disease, 4% in the form of alcoholic hepatitis and 2% in the form of fatty liver. It was observed that 85% population began alcohol consumption due to peer pressure. A total of 68% of patients belonged to rural areas, with 60% belonging to middle class.

The present study concluded that alcohol-related liver disease in India can be seen occurring at a much younger age in contrast to other ethnic groups. The consumption of alcohol in majority of patients at much younger age is attributed to peer pressure. Maximum number of patients presented for the first time with chronic liver disease with or without decompensation. Moreover, alcohol-related liver disease in the Indian scenario is more frequently encountered in economically productive people.

Source: Gupta M, Kulamarwa G, Ranjan P, Bhargawa N, Dadhich S. Alcohol Drinking Pattern and Alcohol-Related Liver Disease in India. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology. June 01, 2015.5(2):S16-S17.