Obesity has many different health risks and now, it seems, cirrhosis of the liver is another one. Rates of both fatty liver disease, which often progresses to cirrhosis, and obesity have been going up in the UK. We already know that alcohol consumption can increase the risk of liver problems. A new study now reveals that obesity is also a factor.

The findings come from the Million Women Study being carried out by researchers at the University of Oxford, UK. They are following the health of around 1.2 million women aged around 56 at the start of the study. During around six years follow up, there were 1,811 first hospital admissions for liver cirrhosis or deaths from the disease. Among women with a body mass index (BMI) of 22.5 or above, increasing BMI was linked to an increased risk of cirrhosis. It’s interesting to see how this risk interplayed with the better known one of alcohol consumption.

Among women of a healthy weight who drink an average of a third to half a standard drink per day the rate of hospital admission or death from liver cirrhosis is 0.8 in 1,000 rising to one in 1,000 if the woman is obese, according to this study. When alcohol consumption goes up to an average of two and a half drinks a day, the corresponding rates of liver cirrhosis are 2.7 and 5 per 1,000. Therefore, obesity should not be overlooked as a factor governing risk of liver cirrhosis. Of course, alcohol contains ‘empty calories’ – so reducing alcohol consumption may also reduce obesity, having an increased benefit in keeping the liver healthy.

Source:

Liu B et al Body mass index and risk of liver cirrhosis in middle aged UK women: prospective study BMJ Online First March 2010 BMJ2010;340:c1035