An epidemic of cirrhosis in Danish women revisited.
Between 1944 and 1947 the mortality statistics for the Danish population show an epidemic increase of liver diseases: subacute necrosis and cirrhosis. The epidemic only affected female mortality rates. Mortality due to cirrhosis remained at a higher rate for women than men until 1970 as a result of an excess mortality in the cohort of women who in 1945 were over the age of 45. Up to 1981 this group showed an excess of 4,000 fatalities. A reevaluation of medico-statistical data shows that the disease cannot be explained by the epidemic hepatitis occurring in 1942-1944 or by increased consumption of alcohol. Possible causes could be pharmaceutical products or additives, perhaps hormone preparations.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors