In Finland, liver cirrhosis causes one of the highest mortality rates in Western Europe and is a significant cause of lost working years. Up to 50,000 Finns may live with undiagnosed cirrhosis, often detected too late at advanced stages. Earlier identification of progressive liver disease is essential to improve prognosis and reduce healthcare costs. Alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction are the main risk factors, but especially their combined effects on disease progression remain poorly understood. Strong interactions between alcohol, obesity, insulin resistance, and genetic susceptibility contribute to disease heterogeneity. This project integrates epidemiological, clinical, genetic, and metabolomics data to define how alcohol interacts with other factors in development of liver disease. Using large-scale cohorts, biomarkers, and digital tools, we aim to improve early detection, personalized risk assessment, and cost-effective prevention strategies in Finland.

2026

2030