Alcohol-Associated Pancreatic and Liver Complications Rising in Young Adults, Especially Women

A population-based cohort study from Ontario, Canada, published in JAMA Network Open has identified a sharp rise in alcohol-associated gastrointestinal complications among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), with the most significant increases observed in young females. The findings underscore an urgent need for integrated care approaches involving gastroenterologists and addiction specialists, the authors stated.

Between 2003 and 2021, 11,508 AYAs aged 13 to 39 years presented with new alcohol-related end-organ complications. Pancreatic complications, primarily acute pancreatitis, accounted for the majority (29%) of cases, exceeding liver-related complications (19%). The majority of patients were male (64%), with a median age of 28 years.

Annual incidence rates (IRs) revealed that pancreatitis-related encounters rose by 7% per year in males and by 12% per year in females. Similarly, liver-related complications increased annually by 6% in males and 9% in females. In contrast, alcohol-related complications in other organs decreased slightly in males and rose modestly in females.

“Our findings suggest that gastrointestinal complications from alcohol are increasing in AYAs at rates much higher than in other organ systems,” the authors stated. “Males were most affected by both pancreatitis and ALD, yet young females had changes in the rates of alcohol-associated pancreatitis and ALD that were higher than males.”

Pancreatitis cases were more likely to require hospitalization (77%) and more often affected urban residents (88%). Despite the rising incidence, the study noted limitations, including the lack of data on alcohol quantity and disease severity.

“These findings underscore the importance of gastroenterologists in caring for individuals with harmful alcohol use,” the study concluded. The authors advocate for the integration of addiction medicine into gastroenterology training and multidisciplinary care models to better address the growing burden of alcohol-related disease in young patients.

Reference
Chapman O, Djerboua M, Rai M, Bechara R, Flemming JA. Alcohol-associated pancreatitis and liver disease among adolescents and young adults. JAMA Netw Open. Published online February 3, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.61990