Liver tests, HB-Ag and HB-Ab in asymptomatic drug addicts.
One hundred eighty-eight asymptomatic addicts were studied to determine the frequency of a history of hepatitis (previous episodes of jaundice), abnormalities of liver tests (serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase) and incidence of HB-Ag and HB-Ab. Seventy-four were white and 114 were nonwhite. A history of hepatitis was obtained in only 38%. One hundred and fifty-two of the 188 addicts (81%) had one or more abnormal liver tests. The bilirubin was abnormal in 5%, akkaline phosphatase in 28% and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase in 55%. HB-Ag was positive in 2.6% using radioimmunoassay and HB-Ab was found in 66%. There was a higher incidence of elevated serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, HB-Ab and history of hepatitis among white, compared to nonwhite addicts.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D000906:Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens