Palliative care & management of symptoms in advanced liver disease: an expert review

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. End-stage liver disease (ESLD) causes a rapid and progressive decline in health and quality of life (QOL) and creates significant suffering and burdens for patients, families, and health systems alike. These patients have significant physical, psychological, and complex social needs that benefit from the support of an interdisciplinary palliative care (PC) team.

This review of the English literature analyzes general palliative care principles for the CLD and ESLD populations including factors affecting QOL and review of symptom management per AASLD and AGA Guidelines. We have also reviewed the impacts of palliative support on QOL, caregiver burden, and healthcare-related outcomes.

ESLD causes significant suffering and burdens for patients, families, and healthcare systems. PC is an essential component of ESLD care; it improves QOL, reduces caregiver burdens, and shows benefits of reduced healthcare costs and aggressive care at end of life. Provider and community misunderstanding or inexperience of PC is often a barrier to PC involvement. There is a clear lack of standardization in medical training and lack of clear guidelines on when to involve PC in the ESLD population that must be addressed.