Prognostic Factors in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Two hundred eighty-one alcoholic patients were prospectively evaluated by clinical, biochemical, and histologic parameters during a 4-yr period to assess their prognosis. They were stratified into four categories of injury: 1) fatty liver (26 patients), 2) acute alcoholic hepatitis (106), 3) cirrhosis (39), and 4) cirrhosis with superimposed alcoholic hepatitis (111). The rate of survival and variables correlating with survival varied according to the group. At 48 months, 70% of the patients with fatty liver were alive, 58% in the alcoholic hepatitis group, 49% in cirrhosis, and 35% in alcoholic hepatitis superimposed upon cirrhosis. Within group one, deaths were due to causes unrelated to liver disease. In the alcoholic hepatitis group, factors significantly correlating with survival were ascites, alanine amino-transferase levels, grams of alcohol consumed, continuation of alcohol intake, and clinical severity of disease. Survival in patients of group three correlated significantly with prothrombin time and histologic severity score. Patients with combined cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis exhibited the worst prognosis, with the most significant predictors of survival being age, grams of alcohol consumed, the ratio of serum aminotransferases (AST:ALT) and the histologic and clinical severity of the disease. Although a different pattern of correlates was observed for each pathologic level of injury, knowledge of the various correlates aids in prognostic assessment.     

代偿性肝硬化无创性诊断指标的筛选及评价

目的：比较肝纤维化血清标志物对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）代偿性肝硬化的诊断评价，筛选可行的无创性诊断标志物。方法：350例CHB患者经皮肝脏穿刺活检术行病理组织学检查，B型超声波检查肝硬化图像，检测血清透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PCⅢ）、层黏连蛋白（LN）及Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）等肝纤维化标志物。用临床流行病学方法确定诊断截断值，并对各项指标作诊断评价分析，比较不同标志物的诊断评价指标。结果：85例CHB患者经肝脏活检术确认为代偿性肝硬化，81例经B型超声波检查有肝硬化图像，ROC曲线下面积以HA最高；血清HA、PCⅢ、LN及CⅣ对代偿期肝硬化的诊断截断值分别为154．35μg/L、198．44μg/L，137．58μg/L和100．80μg/L，对其应诊断灵敏度分别为82．4％，63．5％，57．3％及70．6％，特异度为79．3％，54．0％，56．8％及68．3％，准确度为80．0％，56．3％，56．9％及68．9％，并联试验诊断虽可提高灵敏度，但相应降低特异度及准确度，与其他无创性诊断方法比较，HA有较高水平的诊断评价指标（u≥1．814，P＜0．05），血清HA诊断代偿性肝硬化的截断值以119．17μg/L较恰当，其相应诊断灵敏度，特异性度，准确度，阳性预告值及阴性预选值分别为87．1％、67．6％、72．3％、46．25％，94．7％。结论：在现有肝脏纤维化血清标志物及超声波检查等无创性诊断指标中，血清HA是代偿性肝硬化最好的诊断标志物。     

血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化诊断价值的研究

目的评价血清纤维化指标透明质酸（HA）、Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PⅢP）、层黏连蛋白（LN）对肝纤维化诊断的价值.方法对确诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者50例和健康人18例,测定血清纤维化指标水平,并进行肝组织纤维化分期.根据受试者工作特征曲线判别4项指标对于肝纤维化分期的诊断价值.结果血清HA、CⅣ、PⅢP和肝脏组织炎症分级呈较弱正相关（r分别为0.430、0.382和0.300,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ与肝脏组织纤维化分期呈中度正相关（r分别为0.614、0.708,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ水平随肝纤维化的进展程度而升高.血清HA诊断早期肝硬化（S4）的受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC）大于血清CⅣ、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.967比0.932、0.659、0.403）.血清CⅣ诊断肝纤维化（S1～S4）的AUC大于血清HA、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.853比0.680、0.536、0.487）.血清LN对于肝组织分级或分期均无统计学意义.联合HA＋CⅣ检测比单一指标有更高的特异度.结论血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化进程有一定的预测意义,但不能对肝纤维化精确分期,因此不能取代肝组织病理活检.联合多项指标检测可在一定程度上提高检测效率.寻找新的血清标志物和联合其他标志物是肝纤维化无创性研究的趋势所在.     

肝纤维化血清五项标志物的诊断意义

目的探讨慢性肝炎患者血清透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)、层粘蛋白(LN)和转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)对肝纤维化的诊断意义.方法检测116例病毒性肝炎患者血清HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1水平、并与其中87例慢性肝炎患者的肝组织病理作对比.结果血清HA与肝组织炎症活动度呈较弱的正相关(r＝0393,P<0.05),血清HA、PCⅢ、LN、TGFβ1与肝纤维化程度呈中等程度的正相关(r分别为0584、0454、0441和0612,P<005),血清CⅣ与之则呈较弱的正相关(r=0.319,P<0.05).血清HA诊断肝硬化的AUC明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1者(AUC=0.904vs0.784、0.815、0.805、0828.P<0.05)血清HA、LN、TGFβ1判断S2期以上肝纤维化的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ者(AUC=0849、0.819、0836vs0702、0721,P<0.05).联合五项指标估计肝纤维化程度,判别分析只选人血清HA和TGFβ1.若将肝纤维化程度S1、S2、S3不作区分,判别效果中各期的差异有显著性(P<005).正确预测率为72.90%.结论五项指标均有助于诊断肝硬化和判断S2期以上肝纤维化,前者应选择血清HA.后者则可选择血清HA、LN或TGFβ1;估计肝纤维化程度以血清HA和TGFβ1同时检测为佳,但仅有助于估计慢性肝炎患者是"无肝纤维化”、"处于肝纤维化阶段”或"肝硬化”,而不能对肝纤维化程度进行精确估计.因而不能取代肝组织病理活检.     

Value of fibrosis markers for staging liver fibrosis in patients with precirrhotic alcoholic liver disease

Background: Our aim was to identify markers predictive of fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Percutaneous liver biopsy is the recommended standard for histologic assessment of liver fibrosis. Seven serum markers (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 {TIMP1}, tenascin, collagen VI, amino‐terminal propeptide of type III collagen {PIIINP}, matrix metalloproteinases {MMP2}, laminin, and hyaluronic acid {HA}) representing various aspects of collagen and extracellular matrix deposition and degradation, have been proposed as noninvasive surrogates for liver biopsy. Moreover, a diagnostic algorithm including 3 serum markers (TIMP1, PIIINP, HA) and age has been proposed to accurately detect fibrosis with acceptable levels of sensitivity/specificity in a chronic hepatitis C subgroup. Methods: To determine variability of these markers in liver fibrosis with different etiologies, we conducted an evaluation of their correlative properties in a subgroup of patients (n = 247) with biopsy confirmed liver fibrosis resulting from long‐term heavy alcohol consumption. Patients were participants in a recently completed VA multicenter clinical trial followed over 2 years with liver biopsy at baseline and 24 months, and with markers assessed every 3 months. Results: Among the markers measured in this alcoholic subgroup all except collagen VI displayed significant correlation with degrees of fibrosis. Three markers, TIMP1, PIIINP and HA adjusted for age, emerged as the most promising predictors of the degree of fibrosis in a population of alcoholics. However, there was little change over time as related to change in fibrosis. The lower than expected accuracy of these markers based on receiver operating curves (ROC) also showed their limited use in this etiologic subgroup. Conclusion: In alcoholic patients, various markers have limited value in predicting and diagnosing the stages of fibrosis compared to liver biopsy. Thus, further prospective studies are required to better define the usefulness of each marker or their combination which are possibly affected by alcohol metabolism.     

Diagnostic Value of Serum Procollagen Peptide Measurements in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Procollagen type I carboxyterminal and type III aminoterminal peptide concentrations were measured in sera of 60 patients with alcoholic and 14 with nonalcoholic liver disease to study whether these assays are useful as clinical tests to differentiate various stages of alcoholic liver injury. Both propeptides were markedly elevated in alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis: procollagen type III peptide in 90% and type I peptide in 60-80% of these patients. Moderately increased values were found less frequently in patients with fatty liver. These tests did not differentiate patients with simple fatty liver from those with fatty liver and early fibrosis. There was a significant difference in serum procollagen type III peptide between fatty liver and both alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis (p less than 0.001), and in type I peptide between fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis (p less than 0.005). Although serum peptide values correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis, appreciable overlap of values was found between the various groups. The peptide concentrations also seemed to be related to the degree of hepatic inflammation, and the highest values were observed in a subgroup of patients with alcoholic hepatitis in whom numerous Mallory bodies were found. The data suggest that in alcoholic liver diseases, serum collagen propeptide determination may be useful in diagnosing severe alcoholic hepatitis.     

Clinical, virologic and histologic outcome following seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe in chronic hepatitis type B

Seventy consecutive HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis were followed prospectively with serial determinations of SGPT levels and hepatitis B virus serum markers including HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe and hepatitis B virus DNA. During a period of 1 to 11 years (mean +/- S.D.: 5.0 +/- 2.3 years), 28 patients remained persistently HBeAg positive, most with continuing biochemical and histologic activity, while 41 cases seroconverted to anti-HBe. One patient became HBeAg and anti-HBe negative. After seroconversion, 87.8% of the cases showed sustained normalization of SGPT, and clearance of hepatitis B virus DNA from serum and histologic improvement was documented in 79% of the cases who had a control liver biopsy, while 15.8% developed cirrhosis. In two patients (4.9%), the disease remained active despite seroconversion, and both cases had evidence of continuing hepatitis B virus replication. Finally, reactivation of liver damage and of hepatitis B virus replication was observed in three additional patients (7.3%) who had transiently normalized SGPT after seroconversion. All 70 patients were analyzed for hepatitis delta virus markers, and only two persistently HBeAg-positive cases were found positive for antibody to hepatitis delta virus in serum, one also having hepatitis delta antigen in the liver. These findings indicate that, in chronic hepatitis type B, termination of virus replication is associated in most patients with biochemical and histologic regression of inflammatory activity. After anti-HBe seroconversion has occurred, virus replication and liver disease may persist or reactivate in a small proportion of patients thus giving origin to the well-recognized group of anti-HBe positive, hepatitis B virus DNA-positive chronic hepatitis type B.     

Influence of superimposed alcoholic hepatitis on the outcome of liver transplantation for end-stage alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alcoholic cirrhosis is a common indication for liver transplantation. The present study was aimed to assess the influence of superimposed alcoholic hepatitis on the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.METHODS: Survival rates of 68 patients transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis were compared with those of 101 patients transplanted for miscellaneous causes. Within the alcoholic group, explanted livers were searched for data of acute alcoholic hepatitis. The survival rate of patients with alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on liver cirrhosis was compared to that of patients with liver cirrhosis alone. Clinical severity of alcoholic hepatitis was assessed with Maddrey's score.RESULTS: Survival was similar in alcoholics and patients with other causes of liver disease. Among patients transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis, survival was similar in patients with superimposed alcoholic hepatitis (n=36) and in cases with liver cirrhosis alone (n=32). There was no difference in survival between patients with mild (n=26) and severe (n=10) alcoholic hepatitis. Seven alcoholics (10%) returned to ethanol consumption. Recidivism was not associated with either alcoholic hepatitis in the explanted liver or graft loss.CONCLUSIONS: Survival after liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis plus alcoholic hepatitis detected in the explanted liver is similar to that of patients transplanted for other reasons. Even the presence of severe alcoholic hepatitis does not worsen the outcome of liver transplantation for end-stage alcoholic liver disease.     

The Combined Elevation of Tumor Markers CA 19-9 and CA 125 in Liver Disease Patients Is Highly Specific for Severe Liver Fibrosis

Increased tumor markers in patients with liver cirrhosis are often considered to be unspecific. The use of this unspecific elevation to discriminate minimal fibrosis from severe fibrosis has never been explored. We aimed to answer the question, Do tumor markers predict severe liver fibrosis? The study group consisted of 125 patients with alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C with available liver biopsy. Tumor markers CA 19-9, CA 15-3, and CA 125 were determined using routine laboratory methods and correlated with the extent of liver fibrosis. Fibrosis stages 1 and 2 were classified as minimal fibrosis; stages 3 and 4, as severe fibrosis. Tumor markers CA 19-9, CA 125, and CA 15-3 increased with stage of fibrosis. For separating patients with mild fibrosis (F1+F2) from patients with severe fibrosis (F3+F4), CA 19-9 had a sensitivity of 70.5% and a specificity of 88.6, CA 125 had 38.1% and 89.7%, and CA 15-3 had 19.0% and 93.0%, respectively. Logistic regression of a combined score of CA19-9 and CA 125 values revealed that an increase of 1 point of the CA 19-9/CA125 score resulted in a 1.6 times increase in likelihood of the presence of severe fibrosis. The CA 19-9/CA 125 score achieved a similar specificity (97.1% vs. 100%) but a higher sensitivity (42.9% vs. 33.3%) than the widely used cirrhosis discriminant score of Bonacini. A specificity (98.5%) similar to that of the CA 19-9/CA 125 score was reached by the easier determination of the combined elevation of CA 19-9 and CA 125, which had the best positive predictive value, 92.9%. The excellent predictive ability of the combined elevation of CA 19-9 and CA 125 for severe liver fibrosis (F3+F4) was confirmed in an independent group of patients with liver disease. The combined elevation of CA 19-9 and CA 125 is useful for identifying patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis with high specificity. Patients without a combined elevation of CA 19-9 and CA 125 still require histological examination to identify severe fibrosis or cirrhosis.     

Relationship of serum fibrosis markers with liver fibrosis stage and collagen content in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C

This study determined the utility of a panel of serum fibrosis markers along with routine laboratory tests in estimating the likelihood of histological cirrhosis in a cohort of prior nonresponders with chronic hepatitis C. The relationship between serum markers and quantitative hepatic collagen content was also determined. Liver biopsy samples from 513 subjects enrolled in the HALT-C trial were assigned Ishak fibrosis scores. The collagen content of 386 sirius-red stained, nonfragmented biopsy samples was quantified using computerized morphometry. Serum tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), amino-terminal peptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and YKL-40 levels were determined using commercially available assays.Sixty-two percent of patients had noncirrhotic fibrosis (Ishak stage 2-4) whereas 38% had cirrhosis (Ishak stage 5,6). Multivariate analysis identified a 3-variable model (HA, TIMP-1, and platelet count) that had an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.81 for estimating the presence of cirrhosis. This model was significantly better than that derived from the cirrhosis discriminant score (AUROC 0.70), the AST-to-platelet ratio (AUROC 0.73), and a prior model developed in HALT-C patients (AUROC 0.79). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the serum fibrosis markers correlated substantially better with Ishak fibrosis scores than with the log hepatic collagen content (AUROC 0.84 versus 0.72). CONCLUSION: A 3-variable model consisting of serum HA, TIMP-1, and platelet count was better than other published models in identifying cirrhosis in HALT-C Trial subjects. The stronger correlation of the serum markers with Ishak scores suggests that serum fibrosis markers reflect the pattern of fibrosis more closely than the quantity of hepatic collagen.     

Relative Versus Absolute Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin as a Marker of Alcohol Consumption in Patients With Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis

BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin has been described as a sensitive and specific marker for alcohol consumption. This study investigated the usefulness of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as a marker of alcohol consumption in acute alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS: Absolute concentrations (U/I) and relative values (%) of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin determined in serum with commercial assays, as well as conventional markers for alcohol consumption, were compared with the alcohol consumption (as estimated by a questionnaire) in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (n = 19), alcoholic liver cirrhosis (n = 37), and nonalcoholic liver diseases (n = 16). RESULTS: The concentration of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin was increased (p < 0.001) in nonabstaining patients (median intake 80 g alcohol/day) with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (45.7 +/- 30 U/l), but not in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (20.0 +/- 7.8 U/l) despite higher alcohol consumption (median 130 g/d), nor in abstainers with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (19.4 +/- 6.0 U/l) or nonalcoholic liver disease (18.5 +/- 6.7 U/l). However, the relative values of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin were increased both in acute alcoholic hepatitis (7.9 +/- 2.1%) and nonabstainers with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (7.4 +/- 2.8%), but not in abstainers with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (4.6 +/- 3.5%) or nonalcoholic liver disease (3.8 +/- 0.9%) (p < 0.001). In acute alcoholic hepatitis, the sensitivity and specificity were only 32% and 87% for absolute concentrations, respectively, but 79% and 97% for relative values of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin. The concentrations of carbohydrate-deficient and total transferrin in serum were strongly correlated (r = 0.60; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The relative value (% of total), but not the absolute concentration, of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in serum is a useful marker of alcohol consumption in acute alcoholic hepatitis.     

Descriptive epidemiology of patients with alcoholic liver disease hospitalized in a hepato-gastroenterology service]

OBJECTIVE: To improve the detection of early stage alcoholic liver disease and to identify the importance of this disease, this study compared epidemiological characteristics, the reasons for and the duration of hospitalization, in-patient mortality and the frequency of multiple hospitalizations in alcoholic patients without cirrhosis and in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis hospitalized in the hepatogastroenterology department of Antoine-Beclere Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1982 to December 1995, all patients with a daily alcohol intake in the previous year of at least 50 g per day and all patients with alcoholic cirrhosis whatever their drinking habits were studied. RESULTS: Three thousand three hundred and forty six patients were included. The daily alcohol intake in the previous five years was 118 +/- 81 g and the duration of alcohol abuse was 22 +/- 13 years. Two thousand one hundred eight patients had liver biopsy; 37% had histologically proven or probable cirrhosis. Forty one percent of the patients without cirrhosis who had liver biopsy already had steatofibrosis and/or acute alcoholic hepatitis. 32.5% of the patients had hepatitis B virus markers. 7.7% of the patients were positive for anti hepatitis C virus antibody. Thirty two percent of the patients with cirrhosis were women versus 22% of the patients without cirrhosis (P < 0.01). Alcoholism was the reason for the first hospitalization in sixty percent of the patients without cirrhosis and in twenty percent of the patients with cirrhosis (P < 0.01). On the other hand, ascites were the first reason for the first hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis (28%). The two main causes for multiple hospitalizations were also ascites and alcoholism. CONCLUSION: Two thirds of heavy drinkers did not have cirrhosis on admission since alcoholism was the first reason for multiple hospitalizations in these patients, therefore the management of alcoholism in out-patients must be improved.     

Prognosis of alcoholic cirrhosis in the presence and absence of alcoholic hepatitis

Liver biopsy specimens (178 percutaneous and 39 transjugular) were assessed from 217 consecutive patients with alcoholic liver disease, 77 noncirrhotics and 140 cirrhotics, whose cases were followed for 5 yr. Cirrhotic patients were categorized into two groups, with and without "hepatitis" using a criteria to define "hepatitis" that included only degrees of inflammation, necrosis, and Mallory bodies that had a prognostic weight in terms of mortality in 1 yr. This classification resulted in a sharp separation between a group of 42 patients with cirrhosis without "hepatitis" and with low mortality, both at 1 yr (7.1% +/- 4.0%) and at 5 yr (31% +/- 7%), and another group of 98 patients with cirrhosis and "hepatitis" and a high mortality both at 1 yr (26.5% +/- 4.5%, p less than 0.01), and at 5 yr (47% +/- 5%, p less than 0.02). Importantly, the 1-yr mortality in patients with cirrhosis and no "hepatitis" was not statistically different from that of patients with no cirrhosis or "hepatitis" (most of whom had only fatty liver) both at 1 yr (6.9% +/- 3.3%) and at 5 yr (24% +/- 6%). There were marked differences in several variables between cirrhosis with and without "hepatitis" [combined clinical and laboratory index: no "hepatitis": 4.9 +/- 0.7, with "hepatitis": 7.8 +/- 0.5, p less than 0.01; score of collagen in space of Disse: no "hepatitis": 2.1 +/- 0.4, with "hepatitis": 3.7 +/- 0.3, p less than 0.01; hepatocyte cross-sectional surface area: no "hepatitis": 682 +/- 51 micron 2, with "hepatitis": 841 +/- 31 micron 2, p less than 0.01]. These findings were more severe in the transjugular group than in the percutaneous group. Collagen in the space of Disse and hepatocyte surface area were not statistically different when cirrhosis without "hepatitis" was compared with a similar no "hepatitis" group of patients having noncirrhotic alcoholic liver disease. In this patient sample the presence of parenchymal nodules and fibrous septa, per se, did not result in an increase in mortality with respect to alcoholic patients without cirrhosis and with no "hepatitis."     

Balance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis

The ability of endogenous IL-10 to modulate inflammatory response and to limit hepatotoxicity has been shown in several models of liver injury. AIMS: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between liver disease and the balance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in acute alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with pure steatosis, 17 with cirrhosis and mild acute alcoholic hepatitis (discriminant function value<32) and 41 patients with cirrhosis and severe acute alcoholic hepatitis (discriminant function value >=32) were studied. Plasma levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and soluble TNF receptors (TNFsRp75 and 55) were analyzed using ELISA assays. Hepatocyte proliferative activity was assessed with proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI) on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded liver biopsy specimens. RESULTS: In patients with steatosis, cirrhosis with mild and severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, the plasma levels of IL-10 were higher (P<0.05) than in healthy controls. Between day 1 and day 8, the TNFsRp55/IL-10 ratio increased by 137 +/- 47 in the 10 patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis treated with prednisolone who died within 2 months and by 9.3 +/- 14 in the 19 patients still alive at 2 months (P=0.031). In patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, PCNA-LI on liver biopsy was negatively correlated with the TNFsRp55/IL-10 ratio increase from day 1 to day 8 (r=- 0.42, P=0.11). PCNA-LI was positively correlated with TNFsRp75/TNFsRp 55 ratio increase from day 1 to day 15 (r=0.52; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the anti-inflammatory system is up-regulated in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Nevertheless, in patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, IL-10 production seems insufficient to modulate TNF-alpha cytotoxicity mediated by TNFRp55.     

National Survey of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Heavy Drinkers in Japan

Background: The major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the general Japanese population is an infection related to hepatotropic viruses, especially hepatitis virus C (HCV). Even in heavy drinkers, the major cause of HCC is HCV infection. However, HCC without viral infection has been reported in heavy drinkers. Alcohol has been also reported to be associated with an increased risk of cancer. In this study, we investigated aspects of HCC pathogenesis in heavy drinkers in Japan.
Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 1350 hospitals authorized by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. The questionnaires asked about the number of inpatients with the different types of alcoholic liver diseases, admitted to each hospital between 1998 and 2001.
Results: The percentage of heavy drinkers among all admitted patients with liver diseases or liver cirrhosis was approximately 15%. Of the patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, the cirrhosis was derived from alcohol alone in 61% and from alcohol plus a virus in 39% of patients. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol alone and who did not have HCC was 80%. However, the percentage of HCC patients who tested negative for viral hepatitis serum markers was 27% of the total number of heavy drinkers admitted for HCC. A study mainly on liver cirrhosis performed in the early 1990s demonstrated that the alcohol-alone group accounted for 44% of admitted patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 18% of heavy drinkers admitted for HCC.
Conclusions: Because the consumption of alcohol is increasing in Japan, the frequency and number of cases of alcoholic liver cirrhosis are increasing. Viral hepatitis infection, however, still plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis in heavy drinkers. Radiographical examination is recommended even in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who test negative for serum markers of viral hepatitis.     

National Survey of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Heavy Drinkers in Japan

Background: The major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the general Japanese population is an infection related to hepatotropic viruses, especially hepatitis virus C (HCV). Even in heavy drinkers, the major cause of HCC is HCV infection. However, HCC without viral infection has been reported in heavy drinkers. Alcohol has been also reported to be associated with an increased risk of cancer. In this study, we investigated aspects of HCC pathogenesis in heavy drinkers in Japan. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 1350 hospitals authorized by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. The questionnaires asked about the number of inpatients with the different types of alcoholic liver diseases, admitted to each hospital between 1998 and 2001. Results: The percentage of heavy drinkers among all admitted patients with liver diseases or liver cirrhosis was approximately 15%. Of the patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, the cirrhosis was derived from alcohol alone in 61% and from alcohol plus a virus in 39% of patients. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol alone and who did not have HCC was 80%. However, the percentage of HCC patients who tested negative for viral hepatitis serum markers was 27% of the total number of heavy drinkers admitted for HCC. A study mainly on liver cirrhosis performed in the early 1990s demonstrated that the alcohol‐alone group accounted for 44% of admitted patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 18% of heavy drinkers admitted for HCC. Conclusions: Because the consumption of alcohol is increasing in Japan, the frequency and number of cases of alcoholic liver cirrhosis are increasing. Viral hepatitis infection, however, still plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis in heavy drinkers. Radiographical examination is recommended even in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who test negative for serum markers of viral hepatitis.     

慢性肝病患者肝纤维化血清学指标与肝组织纤维化分期的量化关系

目的研究肝纤维化血清学指标与慢性肝病患者肝穿刺活体组织学检查纤维化分期的量化关系。方法用放射免疫法检测118例肝病患者血清层黏连蛋白（LN）、透明质酸（HA），Ⅲ型前胶原蛋白（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原蛋白（CⅣ）的水平，并与患者的肝组织病理学检查作对比。通过SPSS11．0软件包分析LN、HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ与肝组织纤维化分期及炎症分级的量化关系。结果LN、HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ与肝组织学炎症分级有相关性（r分别为0．394．0．449、0．443、0．35l，P值均〈0．01）；与肝组织纤维化分期也有相关性（r值分别为0．456、0．564、0．476、0．42l，P值均〈0．01）。LN．HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ对S2以上肝纤维化诊断界值分别为110、110、100、70ng／ml，其诊断灵敏度分别为70％、79％、79％、74％，特异度分别为68％，72％、64％、73％。对S4（早期肝硬化）的诊断界值分别为130、140、120．70ng／ml，其诊断灵敏度分别为79％、93％，79％，86％，特异度分别为66％、82％．72％、61％。受试者工作特征曲线分析显示：在这些患者中判断有无肝硬化存在，HA比其它指标更有价值；HA测定值大于l90ng／ml时，其诊断早期肝硬化的准确度为93％。结论慢性肝病患者，血清HA、LN、PCⅢ、CⅣ水平与肝纤维化分期有一定量化关系，其中HA诊断早期肝硬化有重要意义。     

Serum Type I Collagen and N-terminal Peptide of Type III Procollagen in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease: Relationship to Liver Histology

This study compared, in patients with alcoholic liver disease, the serum concentration of N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and of a novel serum marker, type I collagen, with liver histological data and assessed the role of these markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of liver changes. Ninety-six patients (mean age 51 years, 61 men and 35 women) were included. All had alcoholic liver disease diagnosed on usual clinical, biochemical, and histological criteria. Two histological scores, one for alcoholic hepatitis and one for fibrosis, were established. Serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and type I collagen were assayed by liquid phase radioimmunoassay. Significant correlations between serum type I collagen and score of fibrosis (r = 0.34, p less than 0.001) and between serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and score of alcoholic hepatitis (r = 0.60, p less than 0.0001) were noted. There was no significant correlation between serum aminotransferases and the score of alcoholic hepatitis. In 25 patients with alcoholic hepatitis reassessed between 3 and 6 months, serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen significantly decreased (p less than 0.05) as did the score of alcoholic hepatitis, but serum type I collagen and the score of fibrosis were not modified. These serum markers of collagen metabolism could be useful for the assessment and follow-up in patients with alcoholic liver disease.     

Serum tenascin levels in chronic liver disease

To evaluate the diagnostic significance of tenascin, the extracellular matrix glycoprotein in chronic liver disease, serum tenascin levels were measured by a newly developed ELISA in 21 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, in 55 with chronic active hepatitis, in 59 with liver cirrhosis, in 31 with hepatocellular carcinoma, in 26 with acute hepatitis and in 66 healthy subjects. The serum tenascin level was significantly elevated in the patients with chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and acute hepatitis when compared with the healthy subjects (P<0.001). The serum tenascin level also increased with increasing severity of chronic liver diseases. A significant correlation was observed between the serum tenascin levels and serum levels of various extracellular matrix proteins such as type III procollagen N-aminoterminal peptide (PIIIP), laminin and the 7S domain of type IV collagen (P<0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between the serum tenascin levels and histologic findings, particularly in the degree of hepatic fibrosis. This is the first report documenting serum tenascin level increases in patients with various chronic liver diseases. The measurement of the serum tenascin levels may provide additional information relevant to the study of connective tissue.     

Long-term follow-up of anti-HBe-positive chronic active hepatitis B

Twenty-eight patients with chronic active hepatitis without cirrhosis who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis B e antigen were followed for 1 to 15 years (mean 6.6 years) and underwent follow-up biopsy. At presentation, 12 of the 28 patients (43%) had hepatitis B virus DNA in serum, 10 (36%) had serologic evidence of hepatitis delta virus infection and 6 (21%) had no serologic markers of either hepatitis B virus replication or hepatitis delta virus infection. During follow-up, 15 (54%) patients developed active cirrhosis, including eight patients with hepatitis delta virus infection and five with hepatitis B virus DNA in serum. In seven (47%) of the 15 patients, cirrhosis developed within the first 2 years; all seven patients had bridging necrosis in the first liver biopsy, and five of these were infected with hepatitis delta virus. The remaining 13 (46%) patients did not develop cirrhosis during follow-up and showed either unchanged features of chronic active hepatitis (seven cases) or histologic improvement to chronic persistent hepatitis (five cases) or to normal liver (one case). In conclusion, the prognosis of anti-HBe-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B is poor, as 54% of the cases developed cirrhosis during a mean histologic follow-up period of 4.5 years, mainly in association with hepatitis delta virus infection or continuing hepatitis B virus replication.