ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE IN SCOTLAND AND NORTHEASTERN ENGLAND - PRESENTING FEATURES IN 510 PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (206) , 232-243
Abstract
A study of 510 patients in Scotland and northeastern England with histological evidence of alcohol-induced liver disease showed no difference in the age of presentation between males and females. Single men and widowed females were particularly susceptible to alcoholic liver disease. The social class distribution was similar to the population in general. Women were more reluctant to volunteer a history of alcoholism than men, they had a higher incidence of previous psychiatric illness (usually due to alcohol abuse) and they developed liver disease at lower consumption thresholds than men. Patients under 40 yr of age were more likely to have alcoholic fatty liver and less likely to have active cirrhosis than those over 40. Most often, the presenting symptoms were non-specific and tended to be related to the gastrointestinal system, particularly in women. Five percent of patients were asymptomatic and 14% came to the hospital for conditions other than alcoholic liver disease. Important clues to asymptomatic alcoholic liver disease included hepatomegaly, clubbing of the fingers and abnormal liver function tests. Gastroesophageal varices accounted for 40% of instances of hemorrhage and the mortality from upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 17%. Anemia was the most common hematological abnormality. Alcoholic hepatitis was observed more frequently in the Glasgow area then elsewhere.

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