Prevalence and determinants of biochemical dysfunction of the liver in Atayal Aboriginal community of Taiwan: Is betel nut chewing a risk factor?
Resource
BMC Gastroenterology 8 (1): 13
Journal
BMC Gastroenterology
Pages
13
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Lin, Ching-Feng
Shiau, Tun-Jen
Ko, Ying-Chin
Chen, Ping-Ho
Wang, Jung-Der
Abstract
Background: We address the independent and interactive roles of habitual betel quid chewing and other known risk factors for biochemical dysfunction and cirrhosis of the liver. Methods: To determine the prevalence rates and risk factors associated with biochemical dysfunction of the liver, a total of 3,010 adult residents in an Atayal Aboriginal community were invited to participate in the study. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose liver cirrhosis. Results: There were 2,063 Atayal Aboriginal and 947 non-Aboriginal in this study. The result showed overall prevalence rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were 21.2 % and 2.9 %, respectively. There were 16.5 %, 15.1 % and 22.4 % subjects with abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), accordingly. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that combined infections with HBV and HCV presented with the highest risks with OR (odds ratio) and 95% CI (confidence interval) of 4.2 (1.2-17.4) and 3.8 (1.0-14.1), respectively for elevation of ALT and AST; followed by alcohol (1.7 and 3.1), male gender (1.7 and 1.6), betel quid (1.5 and 1.3), smoking (1.4 and 1.8), and aboriginal (1.4 and 1.3). There is effect-measure modification between viral infection and betel quid chewing for increased severity of abnormal ALT elevation. Among 1,382 subjects consenting to abdominal ultrasonography, 41(3.0%) were found to have liver cirrhosis with the same factors associated with higher risks. Conclusion: In addition to infections with viral hepatitis B and/or C, we found Atayal Aboriginal, males, current smokers, drinkers and betel quid chewers were independently associated with biochemical dysfunction and probably cirrhosis of the liver. Further study is needed to corroborate the above hypothesis. ? 2008 Lin et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; alcohol; aspartate aminotransferase; gamma glutamyltransferase; hepatitis B surface antigen; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; gamma glutamyltransferase; Aborigine; adult; aged; alcoholism; article; betel nut; biochemistry; cigarette smoking; confidence interval; controlled study; disease association; disease severity; echography; female; habit; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; liver cirrhosis; liver dysfunction; major clinical study; male; mastication; multivariate logistic regression analysis; patient participation; prevalence; risk assessment; sex difference; Taiwan; betel nut; chemically induced disorder; enzymology; ethnology; health survey; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; liver; liver cirrhosis; metabolism; middle aged; pathogenicity; risk factor; statistical model; Taiwan; virology; Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Areca; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Female; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Health Surveys; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C; Humans; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Logistic Models; Male; Mastication; Middle Aged; Oceanic Ancestry Group; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Taiwan
Type
journal article
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