The Economic Impact of Cirrhosis and Other Chronic Liver Diseases on Global, Regional, and National Economies

INTRODUCTION: To understand the macroeconomic impact of cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases globally, regionally, and nationally, facilitating rational resource allocation. The authors investigated the macroeconomic consequences associated with the burden of cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases across 199 countries in 2021. METHODS: Data on disability-adjusted life years for cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases, including subtypes such as chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (including cirrhosis), cirrhosis due to alcohol, and cirrhosis from other causes, were derived from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study database. Gross domestic product (GDP) data, adjusted by purchasing power parity, were obtained from the World Bank. The study integrated GDP and disability-adjusted life year data and applied the value of lost welfare approach to quantify macroeconomic losses. All results are reported in 2021 international dollars, adjusted for purchasing power parity. RESULTS: In 2021, global value of lost welfare from cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases reached $365.13 billion (0.38% of GDP), with subtypes varying chronic hepatitis B (0.18%, $168.41 billion), hepatitis C (0.08%, $77.09 billion), alcohol-related cirrhosis (0.06%, $58.01 billion), and others. Regional disparities emerged: High-income regions showed the highest overall (3.60%) and hepatitis B (1.42%) ratios, Central/Eastern Europe/Central Asia led in alcohol (0.19%) and other causes (0.08%), Latin America/Caribbean in fatty liver (0.07%), and North Africa/Middle East in hepatitis C (0.13%). DISCUSSION: These diseases impose significant macroeconomic burdens globally and by subtype, justifying prioritized healthcare resource allocation to improve patient outcomes.