The natural history of liver disease in former drug users

Three hundred and twenty drug-free former narcotic addicts were studied with regard to persistence of abnormalities of liver function and morphology, and their relation to hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B antibody was present in 52.4 per cent, while HBs antigen was detected in only 6 per cent. Tra...

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Published inThe American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 272; no. 3; p. 244
Main Authors Cherubin, C E, Schaefer, R A, Rosenthal, W S, McGinn, T, Forte, F, Purcell, R, Walmsley, P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1976
Subjects
Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Alanine Transaminase - blood
Antibodies, Viral - analysis
Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood
Chronic Disease
Female
Hepatitis B - complications
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis
Hepatitis B virus - immunology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Substance-Related Disorders - complications
Substance-Related Disorders - enzymology
Substance-Related Disorders - immunology
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Summary:Three hundred and twenty drug-free former narcotic addicts were studied with regard to persistence of abnormalities of liver function and morphology, and their relation to hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B antibody was present in 52.4 per cent, while HBs antigen was detected in only 6 per cent. Transaminase abnormalities, initially present in 39 per cent, were found in 22 per cent six months after cessation of drug abuse. Abnormalities tended to persist thereafter, although there was some continued return to normal levels. Liver biopsy findings of chronic persistent and aggressive hepatitis correlated with persistence of HBs antigenemia and transaminase elevation. Follow-up liver biopsies in seven subjects showed decreased inflammatory reaction in five. None showed progressive liver disease. We conclude that: (1) 15 to 20 per cent of former narcotics addicts have chronic persistent hepatitis or chronic aggressive hepatitis after cessation of drug absuse for six months or more; (2) serologic evidence of exposure to HBs antigen is frequent, and rapidly develops after the start of needle use; (3) although histologic ad chemical abnormalities usually persist, progression did not occur, and some individuals demonstrated spontaneous improvement.
ISSN:0002-9629
DOI:10.1097/00000441-197611000-00001