Hospital discharge rate per year according to sex and age for alcoholic liver disease between 2018-2022, Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Alcoholic liver disease encompasses any damage to the liver caused by alcohol, from steatosis to cirrhosis. Objective: To describe the hospital discharge rate due to alcoholic liver disease between 2018-2022 in Chile. Methodology: Descriptive ecological study. Data obtained from DEIS on hospital discharges for alcoholic liver disease in Chile between 2018-2022, according to sex and age group (n= 13.259). The hospital discharge rate was calculated. Result: The hospital discharge rate in the study period was 15,29/100.000 inhabitants over the 20 years. In 2021 was the year with the highest rate, with 17,92. The male sex had the highest hospital discharge rate with 25,15 on average. The age group with the highest rate was 45 to 64 years with 8.217 hospital discharges. Discussion: In pandemics, an increase in hospital discharge rates was observed. Many countries reported an increase in alcohol sales and consumption at home. Men had the highest rate, which could be due to factors such as the traditional male role norm associated with higher consumption. The age group with the highest rate was 45-64 years, which could be explained by the fact that alcoholic liver disease increases with daily alcohol intake for 10 or more years. Conclusion: There was an increase in the hospital discharge rate during the pandemic, higher among 45-64 year-olds, with the male sex more affected. This demonstrates the need for further research related to alcoholic liver disease in order to understand the impact at the national level and to carry out attentive public policies.