Background Limited information is available about hospitalization rates for cirrhosis in Australia. Methods Using information on all hospital episodes of care for patients admitted to Queensland hospitals during 2008–2016, we report age-standardized hospitalization rates/10,000 person-years, in-hospital case-fatality rate among these admissions (n = 30,327), and examine the factors associated with hospital deaths using logistic regression analyses. Findings Hospitalization rates increased from 8.50/10,000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.18–8.82) to 11.21/10,000 (95%CI 10.87–11.54) between 2008 and 2016, and peaked in men aged 55–59 years (34.03/10,000) and in Indigenous Australians (32.79/10,000). The number of admissions increased by 61.7% from 2701 admissions in 2008 to 4367 in 2016. During the same period, the percentage increase varied by socioeconomic disadvantage (3.2%/year in the most affluent vs. 9.4%/year in the most disadvantaged quintile; p < 0.001). Alcohol misuse was a contributing factor for cirrhosis in 55.1% of admissions, and socioeconomic disadvantage in 26.8%. The overall in-hospital case-fatality rate was 9.7% for males and 9.3% for females, and decreased in males (p < 0.001). Predictors of in-hospital mortality included hepatorenal syndrome (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.24, 95%CI 5.99–8.75), HCC (AOR = 2.53, 95%CI 2.20–2.91), hepatic encephalopathy (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.61–2.34), acute peritonitis (AOR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.61–2.33), jaundice (AOR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.20–2.75), age ≥ 70 years (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.38–1.92), a higher comorbidity index (p = 0.021), and residence outside of a “major city” (p < 0.001). Interpretation The increasing healthcare use by Australians with cirrhosis has resource and economic implications. Our data highlight the disproportionate impact of cirrhosis on Indigenous Australians and people from the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Funding .

Low-grade abnormalities of LFT are a significant entity in critically ill patients and show an association with mortality outcomes and clinical events on ICU. They are likely to represent part of a spectrum of liver injury associated with critical illness and should not be disregarded.

Hospital admissions and mortality in England from chronic liver disease are increasing. The underlying reasons are complex, but alcohol-induced liver disease makes a major contribution. There are clear social and health implications if the trend continues and addressing alcohol-related liver disease should be a public health priority.

Our findings demonstrate that cirrhosis (its symptoms, complications and treatment) is associated with significant concerns for patients. The discrepancies between the views of HP and patients suggest that we may not be measuring or addressing patients' needs appropriately.

The understanding and treatment of acute hepatic failure has developed rapidly over the last 40 years reducing morbidity and mortality from this syndrome. Progress has been made by the study of animal models that reflect the clinical, biochemical and histological pattern of the syndrome seen in man. This is of increasing importance with the use of therapeutic intervention, liver transplantation and the use of extra-corporeal liver support devices. This review examines and critically appraises the various approaches to the study of acute hepatic failure in animal models, including both surgical and pharmacological approaches.