Traffic light test could provide early diagnosis of liver disease

A new traffic light test could help doctors diagnose liver disease earlier in high risk populations. The Southampton Traffic Light (STL) test, developed by Dr Nick Sheron and colleagues, at the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, combines several different tests and clinical markers.

It is estimated one in five adults inEngland, some 10 million people regularly exceed Government advice on safe drinking. However because liver disease develops without symptoms, many people have no idea they have liver failure until it is too late.

The Department of Health states, “Men should not drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day and women should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day.”

The Royal College of Physicians also advises no more than 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women. An average pint of beer or lager contains roughly two units of alcohol. A small 125ml glass of ordinary strength wine has one and a half units, while a 25ml shot of a 40 per cent spirit has one unit.

The Southampton Traffic Light test combines different tests and indicators, to give a score showing the likelihood of a patient developing a problem. The researchers said, “The test can diagnose liver disease much earlier, enabling those at risk to change their drinking habits, which could save their lives.”

They also went on to say, “That while it should not be a substitute for clinical judgment or other tests, it could help GP’s determine the potential severity of liver disease, in high risk patients such as heavy drinkers, those with type 2 diabetes or the obese.”

Dr Nick Sheron, a consultant at Southampton General Hospital who led the study, and who published his work in the British Journal of General Practice, hopes the test will save lives. He said, “We are reliant on general practitioners detecting liver disease in the community, so they can intervene to prevent serious liver problems developing, but so far we haven’t been able to give them the tools they need to do this.”

Nurses could take blood from those doctors recommend to be tested one week, for them to return for the results the next. Like traffic lights, the scores are given in three colours. Red will mean the patient already has liver fibrosis and may have cirrhosis. Amber means there is at least a 50:50 chance of scarring, with a significant possibility of death within five years. In such cases patients should be advised to stop drinking, to reduce their chance of developing further diseases, whilst green means there is no cirrhosis.

It was given to more than 1,000 patients, and their progress carefully followed, in some cases over several years, to assess the ability of the test to predict the onset of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.

After proving accurate in severe liver disease, it is hoped the test could help GPs accurately assess the potential severity, of liver disease in high risk patients, including heavy drinkers, those with type 2 diabetes, or  people. Dr Sheron said, “It is a powerful tool and a message for people. We find that for most patients this is a pretty good stimulus to stop drinking or at least to cut down to safe levels.”

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said, “One of the challenges of liver disease, which is rising dramatically in this country, is the silent nature of the condition, which is that it is often too late to reverse the damage. This large study from Dr Sheron and colleagues in Southampton may prove really useful for guiding the right patients towards specialist care in a timely way.”

More Brits are turning to booze to banish the stress of their job

The independent charity ‘Drinkaware’ has confirmed what many of us have long suspected – we drink away our troubles after a long and stressful day at work.

Drinkaware are a UK-wide organisation who work together with drinks companies and retailers to promote safe drinking and fight the national drinking culture via voluntary donations.

They have recently conducted a survey and quizzed 2,008 UK adults aged between 30 to 45, regarding their drinking habits.  Two thirds claimed they drank simply to ‘unwind’ and nearly half (44%) commented that they would probably have an alcoholic drink following a stressful day at work. In addition, 37% said that they thought of having a drink during their commute home.

It appeared to be a case of the usual suspects in terms of what factors were to blame for people turning to booze. Over half (60%) pinpointed stresses at their workplace for one of the reasons for their drinking, half blamed money problems and 36% admitted family issues.

However, more alarmingly four out of 10 women questioned admitted they were consuming over the daily recommended limit set out by the government, which is 2-3 units for women. For men, the daily limit stands at 3-4 units and a third of the men in the survey said they were drinking more than this.

Siobhan McCann, head of campaigns and communications at Drinkaware, warned people about the dangers of overdoing it and also offered advice. She said, “Alcohol can be a ‘false friend’ when you are trying to deal with stress. Even though it might seem like a few drinks can relieve the pressures of the day, in the medium to long term it can actually add to them – whether they’re work, financial or family related. Stress can also be an excuse for people to drink more than they should, especially if they don’t realise the negative impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. Think about your evening routine – if you spend most of your time on the sofa with a drink in your hand, look at other hobbies you can enjoy with family and friends to help clear your mind. With a summer of sport ahead, there has never been a better time to get out and get active.”

What Siobhan didn’t mention was the many number of short and long-term negative impacts that  a heavy alcohol intake can have on you. Here are some of the ways that heavy boozing can be detrimental to your health and well-being:

. Liver disease such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
. Increased risk of chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation).
. Damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to decreased sexual desire and impotence in males.
. Skin disorders such as flushing, psoriasis and urticaria.
. Pregnant women who drink high levels of alcohol are increasing the risk of mental and physical defects developing in the foetus.
. Effects on mental health such as depression, anxiety, cravings, irritability, etc.  Alcoholics are also known to have a very high suicide rate.
. An excessive alcohol intake can lead to hypertension. High blood pressure has been linked countless times to erectile dysfunction in men.

Of course these are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to the different ways that a heavy alcohol consumption can have to you. Maybe next time you have a stressful day at work, instead of reaching for the bottle, have a relaxing bath to unwind and then spend some quality time with your family or friends. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!