image: This is the first meta-analysis to report that alcohol consumption increases the risks of cirrhosis and HCC in a dose-dependent manner in patients with HBV infection. The dose-dependent model showed that each daily consumption of 12 g of alcohol increased the risk of cirrhosis by 6.2% and that of HCC by 11.5%. This suggests that patients who consume more than 12 g of alcohol per day should be strictly monitored in the management of HBV infection.
Credit: Yu-Chen Fan, Ming-Hua Zheng, Yin-Ping Wu
Background and Aims
The quantitative effects of alcohol consumption on cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are unknown. This study aimed to establish a dose-dependent model of alcohol consumption on the risks of cirrhosis and HCC.
Methods
PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and four Chinese databases were searched for studies published from their inception to 15 May 2024. A random-effects model was used to pool the data on the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC, and a dose-dependent model of alcohol’s effect on cirrhosis and HCC was established.
Results
A total of 33,272 HBV patients from 45 studies were included. Compared with non-drinkers, the overall pooled odds ratio (OR) for cirrhosis was 2.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46–4.66; I2 = 94%, p < 0.001), and the OR for HCC was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.50–3.43; I2 = 90%, p < 0.001) among drinkers. Compared with low-level drinkers, the estimated pooled OR for cirrhosis was 2.34 (95% CI: 1.59–3.44; I2 = 87%, p < 0.001), and the OR for HCC was 2.42 (95% CI: 1.90–3.09; I2 = 80%, p < 0.001) among high-level drinkers. Furthermore, a linear dose-dependent analysis showed that each daily consumption of 12 g of alcohol increased the risk of cirrhosis by 6.2% and the risk of HCC by 11.5%.
Conclusions
Alcohol dose-dependently increases the risks of cirrhosis and HCC in patients with HBV infection, and patients with daily alcohol consumption of more than 12 g should be strictly monitored.
Full text
https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/JCTH-2024-00379
The study was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology.
The Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology (JCTH) is owned by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and published by XIA & HE Publishing Inc. JCTH publishes high quality, peer reviewed studies in the translational and clinical human health sciences of liver diseases. JCTH has established high standards for publication of original research, which are characterized by a study’s novelty, quality, and ethical conduct in the scientific process as well as in the communication of the research findings. Each issue includes articles by leading authorities on topics in hepatology that are germane to the most current challenges in the field. Special features include reports on the latest advances in drug development and technology that are relevant to liver diseases. Regular features of JCTH also include editorials, correspondences and invited commentaries on rapidly progressing areas in hepatology. All articles published by JCTH, both solicited and unsolicited, must pass our rigorous peer review process.
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Journal
Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology
Article Title
Dose-dependent Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and the Risks of Hepatitis B Virus-associated Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
Article Publication Date
17-Dec-2024