Unprecedented rise in alcohol-related hepatitis during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The third leading preventable cause of death in the United States is excessive alcohol use. Our study sought to assess the impact COVID-19 has had on hospitalizations for alcohol-related hepatitis at a community hospital system. We hypothesized an increase in cases of alcohol-related hepatitis requiring inpatient management in parallel with the economic strain imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The third leading preventable cause of death in the United States is excessive alcohol consumption. Our study sought to assess the impact of the COVID-19 on hospitalizations for alcohol-related hepatitis at a community hospital system. We hypothesized an increase in cases of alcohol-related hepatitis requiring inpatient management in parallel with the strain on the economic and societal norms imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: There was a 51% increase in the overall incidence of alcohol-related hepatitis requiring hospitalization between 2019 and 2020 (p=0.003), and 69% increase(p<0.001) after implementation of the stay-at-home orders. Additionally, 94%(p=0.028) increase in re-hospitalizations was noted in 2020 (p=0.028), a 100% increase in patients under the age of 40 (p=0.0028) as well as a trend towards a 125% increase (p=0.06) of female patients admitted with this diagnosis during the COVID-19 . Conclusion: Our study revealed drastic increases in severe alcohol-related hepatitis requiring inpatient management specifically in patients under the age of 40 and in females during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with severe alcohol-related hepatitis, these findings have far reaching and lasting implications for our already strained healthcare system extending beyond the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe. Urgent public health interventions are needed to combat the rising misuse of alcohol and its consequences.