Alcoholism, hepatitis B and C viral infections, and impaired liver function among Taiwanese aboriginal groups

American Journal of Epidemiology
C Y ShenA T Cheng

Abstract

Viral hepatitis and alcoholism prevail in four major Taiwanese aboriginal groups. To study the relative importance of the acquisition of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection and alcoholism to the presence of impaired liver function in these groups, the authors conducted a semistructured clinical interview for alcoholism and test for seromarkers for viral hepatitis among 993 cohort members enrolled in 1990-1992 in an ongoing prospective study (Taiwan Aboriginal Study Project). The subjects' blood specimens were tested for serum alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels and for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody. The prevalence of a combination of an alanine aminotransferase level of > 35 IU/liter and an aspartate aminotransferase level of > 40 IU/liter, implying impaired liver function or advanced liver disease, was 4.3% overall. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, rather than chronic hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis C virus infection and alcoholism were the two dominant risk factors that signalled the risk of liver damage among these Taiwanese aborigines. In addition, these two contributing factors were able to act syne...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 4, 2005·Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part a·Fu-Chuo PengShih-Jiun Yin
Nov 18, 2008·International Review of Psychiatry·Chiao-Chicy Chen, Shih-Jiun Yin
Jun 17, 2011·Journal of Medical Virology·Hsiao-Ching NienChien-Hung Chen
Jul 22, 1999·Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo·L C de OliveiraS R Valente
Aug 2, 2003·Revista do Hospital das Clínicas·Paulo BoriniSabrina Bicalho Borini

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