Characteristics and Changes over Time of Alcohol-Related Chronic Liver Diseases in Italy. (23rd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stroffolini, Tommaso; Sagnelli, Evangelista; Sagnelli, Caterina; Morisco, Filomena; Babudieri, Sergio; Furlan, Caterina; Pirisi, Mario; Russello, Maurizio; Smedile, Antonina; Pisaturo, Mariantonietta; Almasio, Piero Luigi
• Other Names: Jarčuška Peter Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of gastroenterology & hepatology. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09-23
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases; Gastroenterology; Canada; Digestive System Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/9151820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2291-2789

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction . To evaluate the characteristics of alcohol-related chronic liver disease (CLD) in Italy and their potential changes over time. Patients and Methods . Subjects with CLD were enrolled in two national surveys performed in 2001 and in 2014 in Italy. The two surveys prospectively recruited patients aged ≥ 18 years referring to more than 80 Italian liver units scattered all over the country using similar clinical approach, analytical methods, and threshold of risky alcohol intake definition (≥ 3 units/day in men and ≥ 2 units/day in women). Results . Out of 12, 256 enrolled subjects, 2, 717 (22.2%) reported a risky alcohol intake. Of them, anti-HCV positive was observed in 48.3% of subjects. The overall sex ratio (M/F) was 3.1, decreasing from 3.8 in 2001 to 1.3 in 2014. Women were significantly older than men (58.9 versus 53.1 years;p < 0.01 ) and an increasing ageing over time was observed in both sexes. The proportion of subjects with liver cirrhosis increased over time in both sexes, and decompensated stage (Child B or C) was detected in 55.9% of cases in 2001 and 46.0% in 2014. Conclusions . Risky alcohol intake plays a role in more than one-fifth of CLD in Italy, with a shift over time towards an older age and a more severe liver disease stage. These data put alcohol back in the spotlight with an important role in CLD in the years to come in Italy.