Food Insecurity Is Highly Prevalent Amongst Patients With Chronic Liver Disease in Northern England: A...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Public Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Liver disease disproportionately impacts economically disadvantaged populations.
• Food insecurity (FI) prevalence has significantly increased globally since 2019.
• FI negatively affects nutritional status and adherence to dietary recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of food insecurity among patients with liver disease.
• To identify factors associated with food insecurity in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 426 patients at a tertiary hepatology outpatient service.
• Validated tools, including the USDA Six-item Household Food Security Survey, assessed food security.
• Logistic regression analysis identified associations between FI and clinico-sociodemographic variables.

Main Results:

• 24% (103/426) of patients screened were identified as food insecure.
• Factors associated with FI included high-risk alcohol intake, alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD), cirrhosis, and depression.
• Adjusted analyses confirmed associations between FI and ArLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

• Food insecurity is more prevalent in liver disease patients compared to the general population.
• FI is significantly associated with ArLD, MASLD, and cirrhosis, presenting a paradox of contributing to obesity and end-organ damage while compromising nutrition.
• Healthcare providers must incorporate FI assessment into holistic patient evaluations to improve outcomes and treatment adherence.