Palliative management in end-stage liver disease

摘要

Liver disease has become a growing health burden on the NHS, mostly owing to an increase in alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis and obesity. Liver disease is the third major cause of premature death in the UK; however, the management of patients who are at the advanced (cirrhotic) stage of liver disease remains poor, with only 16% of patients having clear discussions about their preferred place of death and 83% of patients dying in hospital. This is in part owing to the unpredictable nature of liver disease, precluding early referral for palliative care input. The number of patients with liver disease is expected to increase over the next few years, presenting a challenge for healthcare professionals.