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Genetic factors may play only a small role in development of alcoholic liver disease

Category: Liver Diseases

Heavy alcohol consumption is known to be one of the main risk factors for liver disease, but not everyone who is an alcoholic will receive unhealthy liver panel test results. It is not known why heavy drinking affects everyone differently, but a new study suggests that risks for susceptibility may not run in families.

A team of researchers surveyed family members of 291 heavy-drinking liver disease patients and 208 healthy people who drank heavily. The results showed that there was very little variation in alcohol consumption and rates of liver disease between the two groups. This suggests that familial factors play only a small role in the development of liver disease.

The researchers said it now appears that other environmental, rather than genetic, factors are the main drivers behind why some alcoholics develop liver disease while others do not. However, the present study does little to determine exactly what these factors are.

Given that risk factors for liver disease remain somewhat unknown, individuals who drink heavily may want to consider liver panel testing to ensure the health of this vital organ.