Liver diseases: Perspective from the Philippines

Abstract

Liver diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In the Philippines, a lower middle-income country in Southeast Asia, liver diseases accounted for 27.3 cases per 1000 deaths. In this review, we discussed the prevalence, risk factors, and management of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The true burden of liver disease in the Philippines is likely underestimated due to limited epidemiological studies. Thus, surveillance of liver disease should be strengthened. Clinical practice guidelines tailored to the local needs of the country have been developed for important liver diseases. Multisectoral cooperation among different stakeholders is needed to manage the burden of liver disease in the Philippines.

Keywords: Alcohol-associated liver disease; Liver cancer; Liver cirrhosis; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Viral hepatitis.