Current treatment options for alcohol-related liver disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The burden of alcohol on global health is increasing, and there is a strong relationship between population alcohol consumption and liver-related deaths. As alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) often develops with no signs or symptoms, the prevention of liver disease relies on the recognition of harmful drinking and screening of those patients at risk for early markers of liver disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: A robust method of screening patients at risk of ArLD is essential. Once a patient develops ArLD, abstinence and early recognition of its complications are keys to improving outcomes. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay treatment in alcoholic hepatitis pending the results from large multicentre trials. More recently, there has been an increased interest in the use of rifaximin and albumin in various settings of ArLD.

SUMMARY: Advances in the treatment of ArLD and its complications, such as alcoholic hepatitis, will allow a greater proportion of patients chance for their liver to recover. However, new strategies to detect and intervene in those patients at higher risk of ArLD are likely to have the greatest overall impact.