Does regulating the sale of high-strength beer and cider impact hospital admissions with decompensated alcohol-related liver disease: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective ‘Sensible on Strength’ (SoS), a local public health initiative, is aimed at reducing high-strength beer and cider availability. The objective of this study was to assess its impact on local hospital admissions with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and on drinking behaviour. Design This was a retrospective cohort study in patients admitted with decompensated ALD, 3 years before and 3 years after the introduction of the SoS initiative. Hospital records of 143 index admissions with decompensated ALD were reviewed. Outcomes measures were the severity of liver disease on admission and mortality (inpatient and long-term), and change (if any) in alcohol drinking behaviour. Results Comparing patients admitted in both phases, there were no significant differences in liver prognostic scores, liver-related complications, length of stay and inpatient/long-term mortality (p>0.05). However, the SoS initiative was associated with a 33% move away from beer and cider consumption (36.3% vs 54.0%; p=0.034), but without a significant change in units of alcohol consumed. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was the only independent predictor of inpatient mortality (odds ratio 1.25; p=0.025). Conclusion Despite having no apparent impact on the clinical spectrum of local ALD admissions, it is conceivable that longer follow-up is needed to determine the true impact of this initiative.