Overview

• Analysis of NHANES data from 1999 to 2020 shows the share of heavy drinkers with advanced liver fibrosis rose from 1.8% to 4.3%.
• Non-heavy drinkers saw a smaller increase in advanced scarring from 0.8% to 1.4% over the same period.
• Rates of metabolic syndrome in heavy drinkers climbed to nearly 38%, and the group now includes more women, adults over 45 and individuals with low incomes.
• Heavy-drinking definitions in the U.S. exceed international guidelines, prompting experts to suggest lower consumption thresholds and earlier screening for at-risk populations.
• Early liver disease often presents no symptoms, underscoring the need for targeted detection and prevention strategies among heavy drinkers.