First Covid lockdowns, then alcohol to your door: rise in young Victorians with liver diseases prompts fears
Summary
A Burnet Institute report found that alcohol-related hepatitis admissions in Victoria rose sharply during Covid lockdowns and remained above pre-pandemic levels through June 2024. The report also found that young people made up a notable share of admissions, while researchers said the data cannot establish what caused the increase.Key Facts
- The study analysed 4,111 hospital admissions from January 2017 to June 2024 and clinical data from January 2010 to June 2024.
- Admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis rose sharply after lockdowns began in March 2020 and eased somewhat after restrictions ended in late 2021.
- Admissions remained well above pre-pandemic levels, according to the report.
- Men accounted for 62.5% of alcohol-linked hepatitis admissions; researchers also reported a sharp increase among women.
- Fourteen percent of people admitted with alcohol-associated hepatitis in Victoria were under 35.
- Researchers said home alcohol delivery and lockdown-related stress may have contributed to the rise, but the study could not identify specific causes.
- A hepatology professor said clinicians were seeing patients in their 30s with severe liver disease, but described the trend outside Victoria as anecdotal.
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