山西省老年人群不同肥胖类型与慢性病危险因素

目的了解山西省老年人群不同类型肥胖现状及其与慢性病的关系。方法利用2010年山西省国民体质监测的数据,以山西省11个地市、60⁶9岁的老年人4 957人作为研究对象。采用体重指数(BMI)和腰围(WC)作为不同类型肥胖的测量指标。利用非条件logistic回归模型分析肥胖和各种慢性病之间的关系。结果山西省老年人群中超重率为44.64%,肥胖率为16.78%,向心性肥胖率为64.90%。55.21%患有一种及以上慢性疾病。高血压患病率(20.25%)居首位。分别调整BMI和WC,高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病、冠心病及骨关节疾病的患病率随BMI和WC的增高而上升。与正常BMI组相比,肥胖组患5种疾病的OR值为1.1769岁的老年人4 957人作为研究对象。采用体重指数(BMI)和腰围(WC)作为不同类型肥胖的测量指标。利用非条件logistic回归模型分析肥胖和各种慢性病之间的关系。结果山西省老年人群中超重率为44.64%,肥胖率为16.78%,向心性肥胖率为64.90%。55.21%患有一种及以上慢性疾病。高血压患病率(20.25%)居首位。分别调整BMI和WC,高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病、冠心病及骨关节疾病的患病率随BMI和WC的增高而上升。与正常BMI组相比,肥胖组患5种疾病的OR值为1.17².24;WC≥95 cm(男)、≥90 cm(女)组与WC正常组相比,5种疾病的OR值为1.072.24;WC≥95 cm(男)、≥90 cm(女)组与WC正常组相比,5种疾病的OR值为1.07¹.99,趋势检验P值均<0.05。消化性溃疡的患病率随BMI增高而下降,肥胖组与正常BMI组相比,OR值为0.381.99,趋势检验P值均<0.05。消化性溃疡的患病率随BMI增高而下降,肥胖组与正常BMI组相比,OR值为0.38¹.17;而消化性溃疡与WC无关。慢性支气管炎与BMI和WC均无关。结论高血压、高脂血症及骨关节疾病在肥胖组中患病率较高。糖尿病、冠心病患病率与向心性肥胖呈正相关。     

北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓现状

目的 调查北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓情况.方法 对9786例"首都社区居民胆固醇教育及控制"项目受调查者资料进行分析.按体质指数将受调查者分为正常体重、超重及肥胖3类人群.根据晨起空腹血浆化验结果,评价3类人群各型血脂指标水平及血脂异常患病率.根据问卷调查结果评价血脂异常患者对疾病的认知情况.结果 (1)总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯与体质指数的相关系数分别为0.17、0.18、-0.26和0.35(P均<0.01).(2)随体质指数增加,人群血脂异常患病率逐渐上升.正常体重、超重及肥胖人群标准化后,血脂异常患病率男性分别为23.9%、43.3%和65.4%,女性分别为17.9%、29.2%和42.3%.血脂异常患病率肥胖男性高于肥胖女性(65.4%比42.3%,P<0.01).患高胆固醇血症、高低密度脂蛋白血症、低高密度脂蛋白血症以及高甘油三酯血症的风险男性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.6、2.9、2.4及2.7倍,而女性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.3、1.9、1.7及2.1倍.(3)血脂异常患病知晓率正常体重、超重及肥胖男性分别为20.8%、27.8%和25.2%(P>0.05),女性分别为34.6%、34.5%及29.4%(P>0.05).结论 肥胖者血脂异常患病率高于正常体重人群,但其患病知晓率仍然较低.应将肥胖人群,尤其是年轻男性肥胖者作为降脂干预的重点对象.     

北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓现状

目的 调查北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓情况.方法 对9786例"首都社区居民胆固醇教育及控制"项目受调查者资料进行分析.按体质指数将受调查者分为正常体重、超重及肥胖3类人群.根据晨起空腹血浆化验结果,评价3类人群各型血脂指标水平及血脂异常患病率.根据问卷调查结果评价血脂异常患者对疾病的认知情况.结果 (1)总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯与体质指数的相关系数分别为0.17、0.18、-0.26和0.35(P均<0.01).(2)随体质指数增加,人群血脂异常患病率逐渐上升.正常体重、超重及肥胖人群标准化后,血脂异常患病率男性分别为23.9%、43.3%和65.4%,女性分别为17.9%、29.2%和42.3%.血脂异常患病率肥胖男性高于肥胖女性(65.4%比42.3%,P<0.01).患高胆固醇血症、高低密度脂蛋白血症、低高密度脂蛋白血症以及高甘油三酯血症的风险男性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.6、2.9、2.4及2.7倍,而女性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.3、1.9、1.7及2.1倍.(3)血脂异常患病知晓率正常体重、超重及肥胖男性分别为20.8%、27.8%和25.2%(P>0.05),女性分别为34.6%、34.5%及29.4%(P>0.05).结论 肥胖者血脂异常患病率高于正常体重人群,但其患病知晓率仍然较低.应将肥胖人群,尤其是年轻男性肥胖者作为降脂干预的重点对象.     

北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓现状

目的 调查北京社区超重及肥胖人群血脂异常患病及知晓情况.方法 对9786例"首都社区居民胆固醇教育及控制"项目受调查者资料进行分析.按体质指数将受调查者分为正常体重、超重及肥胖3类人群.根据晨起空腹血浆化验结果,评价3类人群各型血脂指标水平及血脂异常患病率.根据问卷调查结果评价血脂异常患者对疾病的认知情况.结果 (1)总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯与体质指数的相关系数分别为0.17、0.18、-0.26和0.35(P均<0.01).(2)随体质指数增加,人群血脂异常患病率逐渐上升.正常体重、超重及肥胖人群标准化后,血脂异常患病率男性分别为23.9%、43.3%和65.4%,女性分别为17.9%、29.2%和42.3%.血脂异常患病率肥胖男性高于肥胖女性(65.4%比42.3%,P<0.01).患高胆固醇血症、高低密度脂蛋白血症、低高密度脂蛋白血症以及高甘油三酯血症的风险男性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.6、2.9、2.4及2.7倍,而女性肥胖者分别是正常体重者的1.3、1.9、1.7及2.1倍.(3)血脂异常患病知晓率正常体重、超重及肥胖男性分别为20.8%、27.8%和25.2%(P>0.05),女性分别为34.6%、34.5%及29.4%(P>0.05).结论 肥胖者血脂异常患病率高于正常体重人群,但其患病知晓率仍然较低.应将肥胖人群,尤其是年轻男性肥胖者作为降脂干预的重点对象.     

南京市城区40岁以上人群超重、肥胖流行特点调查分析

目的 了解南京市城区年龄≥40岁的中老年人超重、肥胖的流行特点,并分析肥胖人群多种代谢性疾病患病率情况.方法 采用随机抽样方法,对南京市城区6个社区40～79岁的居民进行问卷调查、体格检查及生化检测.共调查9696人,剔除信息不全334人,最终共9362人纳入统计分析,男性3204人(占34.2％),女性6158人(占65.8％).按照《中国成人超重和肥胖预防控制指南》标准,体重指数≥28.0 kg/m2为肥胖,24.0～27.9 kg/m2为超重.对不同性别、年龄组人群超重、肥胖率进行比较分析.结果 总的超重率41.0％,男性高于女性(43.91％vs.39.48％,x2=17.01,P＜0.001).总的肥胖率16.79％,其中男性为16.73％,女性为16.82％,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).受教育程度较低的人群肥胖率高于受教育程度较高人群(x2=47.95,P＜0.001).与正常体重人群比较,肥胖人群糖尿病、高血压、高胆固醇血症、高甘油三酯血症、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇升高、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇降低发生率明显增加(x2值分别为42.02,641.88,9.58,236.08,13.24,138.82,P均＜0.001).结论 南京市城区40岁以上人群超重和肥胖发生率高,肥胖人群糖尿病、高血压、血脂异常的发生率明显增加.     

上海地区中老年体检人群慢性病及共病流行病学分析

目的探讨中老年体检人群慢性病及共病患病分布特征及其影响因素。方法选取上海市某医院中老年体检者资料4 394份。分析体检者慢性病及共病的患病情况,采用X^2检验对性别、年龄与体质指数等慢性病影响因素进行分析,利用多分类Logistic回归进行慢性病共病影响因素分析。结果体检人群中慢性病患病率为85.82%,患病率排名前5位的慢性病依次为高脂血症(52.50%)、高血压(39.03%)、高尿酸血症(30.41%)、脂肪肝(22.23%)和糖尿病(9.95%)。体检人群中34.21%患有一种慢性病,51.62%患有2种及以上慢性病。患有任2种慢性病为1421例(32.34%),最常见组合为高血压+高脂血症(20.39%);患有任3种慢性病为670例(15.25%),最常见组合为高血压+高脂血症+高尿酸血症(5.69%)。多分类Logistic回归结果显示,以45~54(岁)组为对照,65岁及以上组患2种及以上慢性病风险较高(P=0.038),OR值为1.42(1.02~1.97)。以BMI正常组为对照,超重组和肥胖组患2种及以上慢性病的风险较高(P均<0.001),OR值分别为1.55(1.28~1.88)和1.90(1.39~2.60)。结论中老年居民慢性病及共病患病率较高,年龄偏大及超重或肥胖可能增加慢性病及其共病患病风险,应根据慢性病患病特点进行干预。     

北京社区中老年人超重和肥胖与慢性疾病的关系调查

目的:探讨北京社区老年人超重和肥胖的发生率及其与慢性疾病的关系。方法:随机抽取134个社区中老年人群,详细调查病史和全面体检,计算体质指数。结果:各种慢性病的患病率为:高血压44.9%,冠心病40.3%,糖尿病40.3%,高脂血症48.9%,脑血管疾病8.5%,慢性支气管炎15.8%,肾功能不全2.9%,胆结石4.3%,脂肪肝45.7%,痔疮3.9%,白内障40.8%,前列腺肥大48.6%,高尿酸血症16.7%。超重和肥胖率分别为50.0%和12.7%,仅有35.6%的人体重正常。超重和肥胖者的高血压、冠心病、糖尿病、高脂血症、高尿酸血症和脂肪肝的发病率明显高于正常体重者。经多因素回归分析,体重指数与高血压、冠心病和脂肪肝呈显著正相关。结论:北京社区中老年人超重和肥胖情况严重,并且与多种慢性疾病的发病有明显关系。     

北京市社区老年患者疾病谱的变化研究

目的 了解北京市社区老年人慢性病患病率情况,明确社区慢性病谱10年来的变化趋势,为慢性病的早期预防提供思路.方法 调查北京3类地区:城区(宣武区)、郊区农村(大兴区)和山区农村(怀柔区)3 257名55岁以上老年人慢性病患病情况.结果 社区老年人前5位慢性病为:高血压、冠心病、骨关节病、白内障及慢性支气管炎(慢支).女性在高血压、冠心病、骨关节病、白内障、糖尿病、青光眼、肿瘤的患病率均高于男性(均P＜0.001);而男性在慢支、脑卒中、溃疡病、肝病的患病率上高于女性(均P＜0.001).城区与农村在慢性病患病率顺位上基本一致.结论 社区老年人患病率呈增长趋势的有:高血压、脑卒中、冠心病、骨关节病、白内障、糖尿病;10年来各慢性病在城乡均有增长趋势,农村增长更显著.当前老年慢性病的防治重点为心、脑血管疾病.     

泸州市社区老年人群超重、肥胖患病率及特点分析

目的:了解泸州市社区老年人群超重和肥胖的流行特点及其高血压、高血糖、高血脂的患病情况。方法:通过多级抽样方法,对泸州市社区60岁以上居民进行问卷调查、体格检查、生化检测。体质量指数(BMI)≥28.0为肥胖,24.0～27.9为超重。结果:共收集有效资料4 445份,平均BMI为24.1±3.4,男性与女性BMI不同(P<0.001)。样本人群超重和肥胖患病率分别为38.25%、12.78%;各年龄段超重率不同(P<0.05),60～69年龄段超重率最高(P<0.05),随年龄的增长,超重率有下降趋势(P<0.001);男、女性肥胖率分别为10.01%、14.69%(P<0.001),各年龄组肥胖率差异无统计学意义。高血压、高血糖、高三酰甘油等患病率随BMI升高而增加(P<0.05),在超重、肥胖组的患病率高于BMI<24.0组(P<0.05)。结论:被调查人群超重和肥胖患病率超过50%,其高血压、高血糖、高血脂患病率达40%以上;老年人超重、肥胖问题严峻,控制老年超重和肥胖刻不容缓。     

伊宁市18岁及以上居民超重和肥胖的流行特征

目的 分析新疆伊宁市18岁及以上常住居民超重和肥胖的流行特征,为制定相应的干预措施提供依据.方法 选取伊宁市所辖19个乡(镇、街道)常住居民为调查对象,分析不同年龄、民族、职业等因素影响下居民的超重和肥胖状况.结果 2019年伊宁市18岁及以上居民中,超重和肥胖分别占35.2％和25.3％,60.5％的人体重超过正常值.维吾尔族居民超重率(39.4％)和肥胖率(30.3％)较高,未婚人群超重率(21.6％)和肥胖率(15.8％)较低,随年龄增长超重率和肥胖率逐渐增加,但随文化程度升高超重率(趋势x2=20.016)和肥胖率(趋势x2=40.732)呈下降趋势(P＜0.001);未就业及离退休人群超重率(趋势x2=24.674)和肥胖率(趋势x2=57.506)明显高于其他人群(P＜0.001).结论 伊宁市18岁及以上居民中,超重和肥胖明显高于全国平均水平,不同民族和职业之间有差别;应针对不同人群开展相应的改善饮食、维持健康体重的干预活动,在社区居民中推广体重自我管理、维持能量平衡,减少因超重和肥胖引起的各类慢性病的发生.     

北京社区老年人轻度认知障碍与慢性病的相关性研究

目的探讨北京社区老年人轻度认知障碍(MCI)患病率与慢性病的关系。方法抽样调查北京城乡社区老年人1716例,比较包括高血压、心脏病、脑卒中、消化系统疾病、呼吸系统疾病等不同慢性病的老年人MCI患病率。采用logistic回归分析MCI的危险因素。结果与未患高血压、心脏病、脑卒中的老年人MCI患病率(9.3%,10.7%,10.9%)比较,患有高血压、心脏病、脑卒中等慢性病的老年人MCI患病率(18.2%,17.6%,22.6%)显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002,P=0.005,P=0.000),logistic回归分析结果显示,高血压、心脏病和脑卒中是MCI的独立危险因素(OR=2.082,95%CI:1.521～2.851,P=0.000;OR=1.633,95%CI:1.168～2.282,P=0.004;OR=2.035,95%CI:1.379～3.003,P=0.004)。结论加强心脑血管疾病的防治,对老年人认知功能的维护具有重要意义。     

Proteinuria and onchocerciasis in an endemic area in Cameroon under community-based treatment with ivermectin

The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of onchocerciasis and proteinuria as well as the association between manifestations of heavy chronic onchocerciasis (HCO) and proteinuria among patients in Cameroon. Of the 482 (277: 57.5% females and 205: 42.5% males) subjects recruited from an area with an ivermectin treatment coverage rate of 77.8%, the average prevalence of microfilaridermia by skin snip (mf/ss) was 31.9%, the community microfilaria load was 9.3 mf/ss and the overall prevalence of proteinuria was 4.4%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of symptoms of HCO when subjects were matched in the presence and absence of proteinuria with regard to positive ss (P = 0.0860), presence of nodules (P = 0.5000), depigmentation (P = 0.1459), visual impairment (P = 0.5000) and recent ingestion of ivermectin (P = 0.6366). Fourteen (66.6%) of the 21 subjects with protein to creatinine ratios (P/CR) > or = 0.2 had HCO, while 15 (71.4%) of the 21 subjects with P/CR < 0.2 had HCO. This gives an odd ratio of 0.8 and a P value of 0.62. However, there is need to carry out studies with a larger sample size before firm conclusions can be drawn about the association between onchocerciasis and proteinuria.     

Effects of the somatostatin analog BIM 23014 on the secretion of growth hormone, thyrotropin, and digestive peptides in normal men

BIM 23014 (BIM) is a long-acting octapeptide somatostatin analog. We studied the effects of this analog on the secretion of GH, TSH, and gastroenteropancreatic hormones [secretin, motilin, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)] in normal men. In the first protocol three BIM doses (125, 250, and 500 micrograms) and vehicle were administered sc in random order at 2000 h to eight normal young men. Plasma GH concentrations decreased during the first part of the night only after the highest dose (P less than 0.05). Plasma secretin levels did not change, while plasma motilin decreased after the 250- and 500-micrograms doses (P = 0.05 and P = 0.02, respectively), and plasma PP decreased after all three doses (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.01, and P less than 0.01, respectively) during the first part of the night. In the second protocol, eight men received BIM, administered by constant sc infusion during the night in a dose of 2 mg/12 h, or vehicle, either alone or in association with a 10 ng/kg.min iv GHRH or vehicle infusion. Nocturnal GH secretion was suppressed by the BIM infusion (P less than 0.001). GH secretion, stimulated by GHRH infusion (P less than 0.001), was reduced by concomitant BIM infusion (P less than 0.001) and was pulsatile during the combined infusions. BIM infusion suppressed the physiological nighttime rise in plasma TSH levels. Plasma motilin and PP levels were reduced by BIM, when administered either alone or in combination with GHRH. We conclude that: 1) BIM is capable of reducing GH secretion when administered sc in a dose of 500 micrograms and of abolishing nocturnal GH secretion when constantly infused at a dose of 2 mg/12 h; 2) BIM, constantly infused, reduces the nocturnal rise in TSH secretion; and 3) motilin and PP secretion are more sensitive than that of GH to BIM, as they are reduced by a lower dose.     

深圳市福田区老年人慢性病患病现况调查

目的分析深圳市福田区老年人慢性疾病患病情况。方法采用随机抽样、集中调查和入户调查相结合的方法对福田区20个社区60岁以上常住居民慢性病患病现况进行调查。结果高血压患病率为61.6%,血脂异常患病率为79.3%,糖尿病患病率为20.2%,肾功能下降患病率9.1%,男女慢性病患病率差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,各年龄组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。慢性病危险因素水平：肥胖率21.8%、缺乏锻炼率72.5%,吸烟率12.6%,吸烟、饮酒在不同性别患病率差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,各年龄组患病率差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论福田区老年人慢性病患病率及危险因素患病率较高,应采取综合健康管理干预措施,加强危险因素的前期干预,减少慢性疾病的发生,提高生活质量。     

An inverse relationship between autoimmune liver diseases and Strongyloides stercoralis infection

A case-control study was undertaken to describe the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among patients with autoimmune liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This study covered 4,117 patients who were admitted to hospitals in Okinawa, Japan, between 1988 and 2006. During this period, 538 patients had the following chronic liver diseases: PBC, AIH, PSC, chronic viral hepatitis group, and alcoholic liver disease. The other 3,579 patients who were hospitalized and underwent parasitologic tests served as controls. The frequency of S. stercoralis infection in the autoimmune liver diseases group (1.0%) was lower than that found in the control group (7.0%; P = 0.0063). None of the female patients with PBC born before 1955 had S. stercoralis infection, which was also statistically significant (P = 0.045). We hypothesized that immunomodulation by S. stercoralis infection may lower the incidence of autoimmune liver disease.     

Insulin resistance and steatosis in HBV-HCV co-infected patients: Role of PNPLA3 polymorphisms and impact on liver fibrosis progression

AIM:To evaluate steatosis,insulin resistance(IR)and patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3(PNPLA3) and their relation to disease progression in hepatitis B and C viruses(HCV-HBV) coinfected patients.METHODS:Three hundred and thirty patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis were enrolled:66 had HBV-HCV,66 HBV and 198 HCV infection.Prevalence of steatosis,IR and PNPLA3 polymorphisms and their relation to anthropometric,biochemical,virological and histological parameters were evaluated.RESULTS:Prevalence of steatosis in group HBV-HCV was similar to that in HCV(47.0% vs 49.5%,respec-tively);group HBV showed the lowest steatosis(33.3%).Group HBV-HCV had a lesser degree of steatosis than HCV(P = 0.016),lower HCV RNA levels(P = 0.025) and lower prevalence and degree of IR(P = 0.01).PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with steatosis.Group HBV-HCV showed higher levels of liver fibrosis than group HCV(P = 0.001),but similar to that ob-served in HBV group.In HBV-HCV group,liver fibrosis was not associated with steatosis,IR or PNPLA3.HBV infection was the independent predictor of advanced liver fibrosis.CONCLUSION:HBV-HCV co-infected patients have lower degree of hepatic steatosis,IR and HCV RNA than HCV mono-infected;co-infected patients showed a more rapid liver fibrosis progression that seems to be due to the double infection and/or HBV dominance.     

Pericardial and pleural effusions in decompensated chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: In decompensated chronic heart failure, there is controversy regarding the incidence and amount of pericardial fluid. Moreover, the relation of pericardial effusion to pleural effusion has not yet been clarified. The current study examined the incidence and amount of pericardial effusion in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure as a function of the volume of pleural effusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study subjects were 60 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure requiring diuresis to improve the symptoms and signs of congestion. Pericardial effusion was semiquantified on the basis of M-mode echocardiographic findings and the volume of thoracic effusion drawn from computed tomographic images of the chest with Simpson's method. Causes of decompensated chronic heart failure in the 60 patients included cardiac valve disease (n = 26), arterial hypertension (n = 12), chronic ischemic heart disease (n = 9), and others (n = 13). As many as 52 (87%) of the 60 patients had pleural effusion; of these, 45 had bilateral effusion, 5 had right-sided effusion only, and 2 had left-sided effusion only. In contrast, only 12 (20%) patients had small (n = 9) or moderate (n = 3) pericardial effusion. There was no significant association between the amount of pleural effusion and the semiquantified pericardial effusion (chi-square 3.27, P =.775). CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients with congestive heart failure, small pericardial effusion was sometimes observed, but moderate to large effusion was uncommon, and there was no significant association between a given amount of pleural effusion and the volume of pericardial effusion.     

Relation of disease activity during chronic hepatitis C infection to complexity of hypervariable region 1 quasispecies

We studied the heterogeneity in the E2/NS1 hypervariable region 1 of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in relation to the natural course after infection. The subjects were composed of 38 chronic hepatitis C carriers who had been followed for 9 to 218 months after the onset of non-A, non-B (type C) hepatitis, being tested monthly for serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The complexity of the sequence heterogeneity was assessed by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. The quasispecies complexity had no relation to the route of infection, the time from infection and the duration of aminotransferase elevation after the onset. However, it had a significant relationship with the degree of aminotransferase elevation in the course of the disease. The quasispecies complexity was directly correlated with the first peak of serum aminotransferase at the onset (r = .48, P < .01) and the mean aminotransferase levels during the period of persistent aminotransferase elevation (r = .58, P < .01). Twenty-three of the 38 patients were further followed for 24 months with biweekly alanine transaminase (ALT) tests. Their aminotransferase levels remained within the normal range during follow-up, and no significant change was seen in the quasispecies complexity after this asymptomatic period. However among the 23 patients, the quasispecies complexity increased in six cases (26%) and decreased in five (22%). A significant direct relation was seen between changes in the quasispecies complexity and the mean aminotransferase levels during the asymptomatic period (r = .55, P = .01). These findings suggest that the development of the HCV quasispecies nature may be related to the severity of the hepatitis in the course of infection.(Hepatology 1997 Feb;25(2):439-44)     

High prevalence of viral infection in adults with homozygous and heterozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic liver disease in adults with homozygous (Pi ZZ) and heterozygous (Pi Z) alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and to assess the presence of other possible risk factors for the development of chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver in these patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A referral-based university hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients (164) with the Pi ZZ and Pi Z phenotype with and without chronic liver disease. MEASUREMENTS: The presence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined using an assay incorporating synthetic peptide antigen from capsid protein (United Biomedical [UBI] assay) and a second-generation enzyme immunoassay (Abbott test); the presence of antibody to hepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) was determined using radioimmunoassays incorporating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg); assays for antinuclear antibody and antimitochondrial antibody (M2 subtype) were also done, and alcohol abuse was assessed by history. RESULTS: Among patients with cirrhosis (32%), 62% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test (P = 0.006), and 41% were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay (P = 0.007). Thirty-three percent of patients with cirrhosis had hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (P = 0.01); 41% had a history of alcoholism; and 12% had features of autoimmune liver disease. Only five patients (9%) with cirrhosis had no other risk factor for chronic liver disease. Among patients with chronic active hepatitis (7%), 80% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test (P = 0.002), and 75% were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay (P less than 0.001). Thirty percent of patients with chronic active hepatitis had HBV infection (P = 0.023); 18% had autoimmune hepatitis; and 8% abused alcohol. Only two patients (17%) had no additional risk factor for the development of chronic active hepatitis. Among patients with steatosis of the liver (48%), 5% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test, and none were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay; 18% had serologic evidence of past HBV infection, and 28% abused alcohol. Among patients without chronic liver disease (13%), no viral infection could be found; 9% were alcoholics. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic liver disease in patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is associated with a high prevalence of viral infection; this infection, rather than alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency alone, may be the cause of the liver disease in such patients.     

Liver damage in Italian patients with hereditary hemochromatosis is highly influenced by hepatitis B and C virus infection

We evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 78 Italian patients with hereditary hemochromatosis as well as the relation between HCV antibody (anti-HCV) status, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and liver histology. None of the patients had been transfused or ever consumed more than 60 g of alcohol per day. Eighteen showed histological signs of chronic hepatitis, active cirrhosis was present in 12, chronic active hepatitis in 4 and chronic persistent hepatitis in 2. Liver fibrosis or cirrhosis without inflammatory activity was observed in 31 subjects, whereas liver histology was normal except for iron overload in 18. The prevalence of HBsAg in the whole series was 5% and of anti-HCV was 20.5%. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was significantly higher in the chronic hepatitis group than in the fibrosis/cirrhosis (p = 0.01) and the normal groups (p < 0.01). Fourteen of 18 hereditary hemochromatosis patients with chronic hepatitis were HBsAg (4) or anti-HCV (10) positive and all the latter subgroup had HCV-RNA in their serum as shown by the polymerase chain reaction. Although most of the patients with associated chronic hepatitis had cirrhosis, their serum ferritin levels and amount of mobilizable iron were significantly lower than those of the fibrosis/cirrhosis group (p < 0.01). This indicates that hepatitis viral infection acts synergistically with iron in accelerating the development of liver damage.