Chronic Liver Diseases
As the prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the opioid crisis in the United States continues to rise, so does chronic liver disease. From hepatitis C and hepatitis B to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver disease affects a significant portion of the U.S. population. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and mortality worldwide. Injection drug use, arising in conjunction with the opioid crisis, has contributed significantly to the increase in HCV infections. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a global epidemic, resulting in significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the rising number of obese and diabetic patients has resulted in the increased prevalence of NAFLD, which may progress to NASH in a large number of patients. To help clinicians and patients navigate the changing landscape of liver disease, we designed the Liver Disease Hub to provide resources and guidelines for screening, testing, and treatment of liver disease.