[Studies on the mode of progression of alcoholic liver disease]

In order to elucidate the mode of progression of alcoholic liver disease, relationships among the drinking style, laboratory data, anti-HCV antibody and histological changes were investigated on 36 patients in whom the liver biopsy was repeatedly done. Following results were obtained (1) In the group of continuous drinking over 100g ethanol per day, histological progression was found in 11 of 13 patients (85%) regardless of positive anti-HCV. On the other hand, in the group of abstinence or temperance less than 60g daily alcohol intake, histological improvement was found in 6 of 11 patients (55%). (2) Histological improvement was predominantly seen by abstinence or temperance in the cases with lower levels of serum IgA and adenosine deaminase (ADA) on hospitalization and those with rapid decrease in serum gamma-GTP after hospitalization. In conclusion, the amount of ethanol was considered to be the most important factor to affect on a progression of alcoholic liver diseases. Assessment of laboratory data such as IgA and ADA on hospitalization and change in gamma-GTP after hospitalization were also thought to be useful in foreseeing the prognosis of alcoholic liver disease.