Dying from liver disease: the importance of end-of-life discussions

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, deaths from liver disease have risen dramatically, whereas deaths from many other major diseases have fallen. Liver disease is now the third largest cause of premature death in the UK, with alcohol-related liver disease accounting for nearly 40% of these deaths. With advanced liver disease comes the associated complications of varices, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites, and death from liver disease can be sudden and catastrophic. Supportive and palliative care needs in people with liver disease often go unrecognised and unaddressed. End-of-life care and wishes can be a difficult subject to broach to patients and their loved ones, but it is one that nurses are often best placed to undertake. Therefore, when considering the overall care of patients with liver disease, it is necessary to incorporate anticipatory and concordant end-of-life plans.