Liver disease deaths set to hit record levels in Lothians

In the first three months of this year 48 people died in the Lothians either because of liver cancer or liver cirrhosis – a year-on-year rise of almost 50 per cent.

Experts said the abuse of alcohol remained the overwhelming factor, and if the trend continues nearly 200 people will die this year from the disease.

It is the latest damning statistic revealing the Lothians' battle with the bottle, and there are warnings that the figures will continue to rise until the corner can be turned on alcohol.

Growing levels of obesity are also contributing to liver problems, with charities pointing out that liver disease is the country's fifth biggest killer and the only one in the top five that is increasing.

Professor Jonathan Chick, former consultant psychiatrist with NHS Lothian's alcohol problem service, said: "This rise in this country is attributable to alcohol, with Hepatitis C a small factor, which we see across Europe.

"I don't know where we are with alcohol at the moment, it's very hard to say if it is getting better or worse.

"What is also of concern is that the average age of people dying of liver cirrhosis has come down from 55 to 45 and that is because there are now people in their 20s dying of it."

However, he said there could be some encouraging signs.

"Research has shown there isn't too much of a lag in other countries. When consumption falls, liver deaths begin to fall about two years later," he said.

The statistics were unveiled as part of a quarterly report on births, marriages and deaths across the country from the General Register Office for Scotland.

Hepatitis C patients are also expected to contribute more to liver mortality statistics in years to come.

Because of the drug-related epidemic of the 1970s and 1980s, there are thousands living with the disease in the Lothians.

It is expected that their health will deteriorate as they approach 30 years of living with the disease, pushing figures up further, Health Protection Scotland has said.

A spokeswoman for the British Liver Trust said: "This position is worrying and it is mirrored across the UK.

"Obesity plays a role in this as much as alcohol, and those are two health matters that are of concern."

Your Say: Is alcohol consumption in the Lothians still on the rise or have we turned a corner?

Liz Barron, 51, sales assistant, Bingham Crossway: "I think people are drinking more and more because the booze is so cheap."

Jenny Mollison, 61, housewife, Inveresk: "I'm totally amazed at how much money people seem to have to throw around on alcohol."

David Poole, 78, retired, Mayfield Road: "I think people are drinking more and more."

• www.gro-scotland.gov.uk

• www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

• www.britishlivertrust.org.uk