Natural History of Advanced Chronic Liver Diseases

Chronic liver diseases (CLD) has burdened the global healthcare system throughout the years. Among all causes of CLD, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is generally the commonest cause of CLD in the Asia-Pacific region but the prevalence is expected to decline due to effective antiviral treatment. Similarly, with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is now readily curable. On the other hand, an increasing trend is observed in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) which is likely to change the landscape of CLD both in the region and worldwide.

Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) or cirrhosis is a final common pathway of all CLD and was the 9th and 15th leading cause of death in Southeast Asia (0.42 million deaths) in 2019 as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Estimates. It also significantly increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With its significant impact on morbidity and mortality, the prognosis of compensated and decompensated states differ drastically and the field is pushing forward ways to prevent hepatic decompensation in order to improve liver-related outcomes. Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) has been shown to reduce risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) and concomitant clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). Some other drugs including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), statin etc. have been shown in retrospective studies to reduce risk of hepatic decompensation but more evidence is required to draw conclusive interpretation.

Apart from medications, non-invasive tests (NIT), including liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) from vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) help prognosticate chronic liver diseases. Yet more validation is required on certain conditions such as in patients with obesity as well as HCC. Biomarkers are also under the spotlights for risk prediction but are yet to reach the stage for widespread clinical practice. Hence these areas deserve further studies.

Hong Kong is an area endemic for chronic hepatitis B as well as expected for an increase with MASLD and ARLD. There has not been an established registry to capture these ACLD patients for systematic monitoring and analysis. Thus, a registry for ACLD is imperative.