[Studies on diagnosis for occupationally chronic toxic hepatopathy]

Data from 10-to-17-year periodical physical examinations for 10,858 employees exposed to hepatotoxic chemicals were sorted out and analyzed, and 1,514 cases of suspected chronic toxic hepatopathy were detected. Causes of under-recognition of those were: (1) liver function tests now available being not sensitive enough; (2) limitations of conventional methods for diagnosis of hepatopathy by excluding other disorders; and (3) lack of diagnostic criteria for it. In the light of existing problems, the following diagnostic procedures were applied in the studies: (1) analyzing data dynamically to understand when and to what extent the liver damaged during their work; (2) exploring several more sensitive liver function tests to be used in the diagnosis, and (3) incorporating industrial hygienic files into clinical data to get preliminary diagnosis for it, and then to differentiate from other disorders and to establish a definite conclusion. With these procedures, diagnosis of occupationally chronic toxic hepatopathy was established in 1,035 cases of 1,514 suspected ones.