Marking Liver Awareness Month: Efforts to Prevent, Diagnose and Care for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
By Juan Pablo Arab, M.D.
Director of Alcohol Sciences
As part of our outreach efforts during Liver Awareness Month this month, the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health seeks to raising awareness about alcohol-associated liver disease. ALD is a significant global health issue, leading to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and, in severe cases, liver failure. Early intervention is key, but many patients remain undiagnosed until advanced stages.
At our institute, we are committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of ALD. Our recent research has made strides in identifying biomarkers that can help diagnose ALD earlier, allowing for timely intervention. We have also published findings on the genetic and metabolic factors that make individuals more susceptible to ALD, offering insights into personalized treatment strategies.
One of our current efforts, which I am honored to lead, focuses on integrating clinical practice with public health policies to reduce the global burden of ALD. Through international collaborations, we are spearheading projects like the Global AlcHep big data network and the AH-LATIN initiative, aimed at collecting and analyzing data to improve patient outcomes worldwide. Additionally, we are working to improve therapeutic approaches that combine lifestyle changes with innovative pharmacological treatments.
Stay informed this month through our website and our social media platforms as we continue to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive care in managing ALD.
Together, we can reduce the burden of this preventable disease.
For more on alcohol-associated liver disease, read this Medscape article.