The relationships of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis to alcohol intake, hepatitis B and C, and delta virus infection: a case-control study in Albania

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 121; no. 2; pp. 391 - 395
• Main Authors: KONDILI, L. A., TOSTI, M. E., SZKLO, M., COSTANTINO, A., COTICHINI, R., RESULI, B., RAPICETTA, M., MELE, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.10.1998
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Albania - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol related disorders; Alcohols; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Chronic hepatitis; Female; Hepatitis antigens; Hepatitis B - complications; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis D - complications; Hepatitis D virus; Hepatitis delta virus; Hepatitis Delta Virus - pathogenicity; Hepatitis, Chronic - epidemiology; Hepatitis, Chronic - etiology; Hepatitis, Chronic - virology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - epidemiology; Liver Cirrhosis - etiology; Liver Cirrhosis - virology; Liver diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the digestive system; Europe; Albania; Human; Statistical analysis; Prevalence; Alcoholism; Hepatic disease; Epidemiology; Infection; Cirrhosis; Viral hepatitis; Viral disease; Risk factor; Digestive diseases; Complication
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268898001216

The present study examined the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and alcohol intake, and the role of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the aetiology of chronic liver disease in Albania. A total of 106 cases of liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis were compared to 195 control patients without these or other liver diseases. Adjusted odds ratios were 52·7 (95% CI 22·7–122) for HBV surface antigen, 26·9 (95% CI 4·9–147) for anti-HCV, 26·2 (95% CI 3·1–221) for anti-HDV, 2.4 (95% CI 1·3–4·4) for lifetime alcohol intake and 2·3 (95% CI 1–5·5) for duration of alcohol intake. Although not significant, an interaction was suggested between HBsAg and anti-HCV and between HBsAg and alcohol intake. Our study underlines the role of hepatitis viruses in the development of chronic liver diseases. Additionally, it suggests that heavy alcohol intake may magnify the effect of HBV on these diseases. HBV vaccination and alcohol abstention appear to be important strategies to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis in Albania.